Foundations Course Information
Fall 2026: September 13 - December 15
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 Fall 2026 Foundations courses will be held on a date TBD, likely the weekend of December 19-20.
Two-Handed Sword SPT Courses
Sundays 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Mondays 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Drawn heavily from historical martial principles found in many cultures, possibly most popularly European longsword and Japanese katana, this style is featured throughout contemporary storytelling, from the knights of Shakespeare's histories all the way to science fiction laser swords. This class will get students attuned to moving the weapon effectively and efficiently, engaging the whole body for dynamic storytelling opportunities.
This foundations 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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Unarmed SPT Courses
Sundays 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Tuesdays 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Unarmed stage combat forms the foundation of stage combat training and serves as a solid skillset for a performer's toolbox. This course is designed to train performers is in all the components of what it takes to present violence onstage using just the weapons of the body. Ranging from all the elements necessary to convincingly stage a slap or a fall, to developing the attributes to pull off a high-octane fight scene, students who complete this course will be equipped to tackle the spread of challenges that an actor might face in their career.
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