Foundations Course Information
Spring 2026: February 15 - May 19
SAFD Skills Test Courses
Our SPT Foundations courses all culminate in the opportunity to take part in the Skills Proficiency Test for the Society of American Fight Directors. The SAFD is the largest stage combat training organization in the country, serving as a network of professionals who collaborate and cross-train to maintain a set of professional standards in the field of stage combat. All our courses exceed the 30-hour minimum training requirement to ensure students are well prepared to enter the professional realm at a high level of proficiency.
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Participating in an SAFD test event is not required to participate in the full course, but does gives you the opportunity to have your skills observed and critiqued by a third-party eye with decades of professional experience. SAFD adjudicators are collegiate program heads, Broadway choreographers, and award-winning fight coordinators for blockbuster films. It is a unique opportunity in arts education to have your skills compared against a national industry standard.
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The adjudication showcase for the Spring 2026 Foundations courses will be held Friday, May 22nd
Rapier and Dagger SPT Courses
Sundays 11:30am - 2:30pm
Sundays 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Mondays 6:30pm - 9:30pm
A classic renaissance pairing, this is regularly in use at renaissance festivals across the country as well as the go-to style for both Romeo and Juliet and, famously, Laertes' favored weapon in his duel with Hamlet. (That's two of his weapons, but, well.) Anyone interested in performing the classics should have this in their repertoire. Working with a weapon in each hand of differing length is a challenge central to this style. Tackling it gives the performer tools to fine-tune their distance, play simultaneous objectives, and make sure their entire body is fully at work in the scene.
This course is designed to give students all the tools they need to confidently and convincingly perform theatrical violence that is both safe and dramatically effective. No prior experience necessary. Whether you're a performer, choreographer, or just someone who wants to get a bit of a workout while swinging swords around, this class is for you.
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Staff SPT Courses
Sundays 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Tuesdays 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Encompassing a variety of historical styles and aesthetics ranging from Egyptian tahtib to classic English robin hood to Shaolin spear, we'll dive into the diverse array of ways to connect the performer to one of the simplest props in existence. Beyond attacks and defenses, students will learn how to ground themselves for stability and power, as well as deepen their understanding of leverage, angles, and biomechanics.
The course will consist of drills and exercises that mix practical application and understanding of combative techniques with the truths of what it takes to safely perform them as part of a compelling story.
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How Do I Register?
Head on over to our Registration page to get started. There you can pick a course, enter your contact information, and pay your deposit to hold your spot in class.
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One Discipline: $450
Two Disciplines: $800
Our classes require a non-refundable $50-per-course deposit (which goes towards the full tuition) at the time of registration. To sign up for multiple courses, simply register for each course you're interested in individually, and process each deposit separately. We will handle the remaining balance in-person with flexible payment plans available. ​
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Cancellation Policy: due to class sizes being limited, barring special circumstances, any cancellations occurring after the 2nd session of classes will be responsible for the full course tuition.
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If you have any questions regarding registration, please do not hesitate to contact us at ArtinArmsStageCombat@gmail.com