Welcome to The Social Distance Showdown 2.0!
A Virtual Weekend
Stage Combat Workshop
Welcome to the Resistance!
A band of fighters actively opposing the forces of “Social Distancing”.
We may all be dutifully sequestered and physically distancing,
but we refuse to let that keep our community apart!
We are thrilled to offer you an entire weekend of opportunities
to gather, train and strengthen our bonds of fellowship!
What is the Social Distance Showdown?
The SDS is a 2 Day Virtual Weekend Workshop.
Over the course of the weekend, a plethora of classes will be offered covering all manner of stage combat topics.
We’ve assembled a staff of renowned professionals from around the world eager to share their knowledge and expertise with you in the comfort of your own home.
Classes have been tailored to engagement in your space, whatever shape that may be. Though some may encourage a bit of creativity on your part.
No weapons? No problem! Weapon based classes offer alternative in-home items you can use to engage with the work.
CHOOSE YOUR OWN WORKSHOP ADVENTURE
We're offering 3 Structures of Classes
RECORDED CLASSES
Purchase window has ended.
Food for Thought
Lecture
Experts will explore particular aspects of the field and share their knowledge in a presentation format.
There will be opportunities to ask questions.
On Your Feet
Active Classes
Instructors will lead and demonstrate an active stage combat training session which you can follow along at home.
They’re designed to be performed in your space and with ordinary objects if you’ve no theatrical weapons available.
There will be opportunities to ask questions but not much, if any, individual feedback.
Close Encounters
Small Class Seminars
Getting a little more up close and personal, these seminars will be limited space classes for folks to engage a little more deeply either in conversation about a particular topic or practice of a particular discipline and receive more individual feedback.
If the class is full, we will start a wait-list. For more details click here.
Partnered Classes
Teachers have designed these classes for two people who are working together in the same space.
If you have someone in your life with whom you can fight in-person, these classes are for you!
All partner classes are also Close Encounters classes and have a limited number of spaces available.
You must sign up with your partner to be eligible for the class.
Both participants must register separately for the workshop and the class.
If the class is full, we will start a wait-list.
Food for Thought
On Your Feet
Close Encounter
Partner
Instructors
Adam Franti - Michigan, USA
Da'Mon Stith - Texas, USA
Dan Styles - England, UK
Daniel Levinson - Ontario, Canada
EmmaClaire Brightlyn - Scotland, UK
Jared Kirby - New York, USA
Jess Finley, Kansas, USA
Jessica Bennett - Georgia, USA
Jon Rubin, Maryland, USA
Kevin Inouye - Ohio, USA
Killian McMurphy (The Shamrock Shooter) - Delaware, USA
Leraldo Anzaldua - Indiana, USA
Lisa Kopitsky - New York, USA
Lyndall Grant -Victoria, Australia
Meron Langsner PhD - New York, USA
Michael Jerome Johnson - Wyoming, USA
Mike Lubke - Minnesota, USA
Mike Yahn - Louisiana, USA
Nicole Perry - Florida, USA
Nigel Poulton - Queensland, Australia
Ruth Cooper-Brown - England, UK
Samantha Egle - Colorado, USA
Scottie Witt - New South Wales, Australia
Siobhan Richardson - Ontario, Canada
Todd Campbell, Ontario, CA
Click their name to read their Bio!
Adam Franti
He/Him
Adam is a three-weapon Fechter and Research Scholar in the Meyer Freifechter Guild and a Free-Scholar of the Historical Fencing Association. He started modern olympic fencing in 2005, and has been active in HEMA tournaments since 2015, earning multiple medals in longsword and rapier. Having earned a master’s degree in history in 2018, he uses his academic skills to study the martial culture of Early Modern Europe, with a particular focus on the Freifechter tradition of Germany, and Salvatore Fabris’ rapier system.
In 2017, Adam found the Lansing Longsword Guild, and has been an event organizer and instructor for the clubs in Michigan, and was one of the founders of the Midwest Historical Fencing League. Adam’s goals is to promote deep source study and healthy body mechanics to create skillful, crafty fencers that are fun to fence.
Da'Mon Stith
He/Him
Da'Mon is the Chief Instructor and Founder of Guild of the Silent Sword. His martial arts training began at the age of 6 when his father gave him his first sword. He was fascinated with martial arts and warrior culture. He began his formal training at the age of 9 in Asian martial arts and progressed into African and Middle Eastern martial arts by the age of 17.
When not training and instructing, Da'Mon constructs training weaponry utilizing high-density plastic, hardwood, aluminum, and steel. Additionally, Da'Mon is an instructor during the summer for Book People's Camp Half-Blood literary camp.
Daniel Levinson
He/Him
A graduate of the York University BFA Acting Conservatory program, Daniel has been performing, directing and teaching stage combat professionally since 1991 when he founded Rapier Wit, Canada’s oldest stage combat school and production company. Daniel is a Fight Master with Fight Directors Canada and has had a close relationship with FDC since he gained his certification as an advanced actor combatants at FDC’s inaugural workshop. He has held the offices of FDC President twice, as well as Treasurer, and National Training Coordinator. Rapier Wit offers all of Fight Directors Canada’s certification levels and is the home of the largest community of FDC members. Daniel has created fights for companies such as The Stratford Festival (5 seasons), Canadian Stage, Jesus Christ Superstar Broadway, Volcano Theatre, Actors Repertory Company, Second City, A.C.T. Productions, Shakespeare In the Square, Factory Theatre, Shakespeare in the Rough, Theatre Aquarius, The Actor’s Repertory Company, Theatre Passe Muraille, and The Tarragon Theatre. As well as teaching stage combat workshops across Canada and internationally Daniel has been the resident stage combat instructor for Sheridan College, the University of Toronto’s Theatre and Drama Studies Program since 1994, and is a frequent instructor at the University of Waterloo. Daniel is a member of CAEA and ACTRA.
Dan Styles
He/him
Dan is a stunt/fight coordinator, teacher for the British Academy of Dramatic Combat, and an actor and fight performer.
Dan began his career as an actor, but has now been choreographing fights for over 20 years.
Earlier this year a fight scene Dan created in the film 'Avengement' was nominated Best Fight at the Taurus World Stunt Awards.
Dan as been teaching for the BADC since 2010 and achieved Master Teacher status within the academy in 2017. Dan has taught for a number of drama schools, theatres and organisations in London, the UK and abroad.
Dan is also co-director of Independent Drama with Ronin Traynor (BASSC Master Teacher). ID is now one of the leading training providers in stage combat, as well as other action skills, in the UK. www.idfight.com
As a performer Dan has performed fights and action in films and TV shows such as 'Vikings' (seasons 5+6), 'Kingsman', 'Snow White and the Huntsman', 'Thor 2', 'Avengers 2', 'Guardians of the Galaxy', 'Captain America', 'Mary Queen of Scots' and much more.
EmmaClaire Brightlyn
She/her
Originally from Canada, EmmaClaire Brightlyn is a freelance actor, fight director and teacher based in Scotland, and is the Artistic Director of the International Order of the Sword and the
Pen.
As a Fight Director, EmmaClaire has worked on award winning productions with The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, The Traverse Theatre, Perth Theatre, Dundee Rep, Citizens Theatre, and the National Theatre of Scotland, and appeared as a featured gladiator and co-fight captain in Ben Hur Live! (New Arts Concerts, Germany) in 2011. She was Fight Arranger on Scottish feature films Beats (Sixteen Films) and Anna and the Apocalypse (Blazing Griffin), and most recently on the short Don Vs Lightning (Biscuit Filmworks) starring Peter Mullan, and TV programme Demon Headmaster.
Jared Kirby
He/him
Jared has been involved in Combat for Screen & Stage and Western Martial Arts for 25 years. He teaches in New York City (and the metro area) and has choreographed fights Off-Broadway, Nationally, in London and Sydney.
As a Fight Coordinator, Jared has worked with stars such as Peter Sarsgaard, Steve Guttenberg, Cameron Douglas. Jared is a member of Actor’s Equity and SAG/AFTRA.
He is the president of Combat Con in Las Vegas, past president of Art of Combat, and served for six years on the board of the International Order of the Sword & Pen. He teaches a variety of workshops across the US and around the world including Canada, England, Scotland, Finland, Italy and Australia.
Jared’s books include “Italian Rapier Combat”, “The School of Fencing”, “The Gentleman’s Guide to Duelling” and Donald McBane’s The Expert Swordsman’s Companion.
Jessica Erin Bennett
She/her
Jessica Erin Bennett is a Filmmaker: Stunt Performer, Stunt Coordinator, Intimacy Coordinator, and Casting Associate with Carmen Aiello. She holds a BFA in Acting from the Theatre School at DePaul University. Her recent credits include Intimacy Coordinator for HBO’s Lovecraft Country, Stunt Coordinator for the upcoming Never Hike in the Snow, and Stunt Performer for Netflix’s Teenage Bounty Hunters. She is married to composer and sound designer Jordan Bennett and lives with their daughter Willa and two rescue dogs..
Jess Finley
She/her
Jess Finley has had a sword in her had for the past twenty years. Her initial interest was in stage combat, but not too long after beginning that pursuit began to ask "... but how did they really fight" and from that question branched out to German Medieval Martial Arts. She is the head instructor at Ritterkunst Turhalle in Lawrence, Kansas. She has taught and competed internationally at events like the Western Martial Arts Workshop in Chicago, USA; Paddy Crean International Workshop in Banff, Canada; Swordfish in Gothenburg, Sweden; and Longpoint in Baltimore, USA and has taught intensives at various events and schools, as well as weekend private intensives at her home. She also has a background studying Judo under the tutelage of Arden Cowherd of Topeka Judo Club.
She is a published author, having written a book entitled "Medieval Wrestling" on the fifteenth century Master Ott's wrestling treatise of German wrestling techniques.. She also researches medieval clothing construction and fabric armor, and has presented her findings at the International Congress on Medieval Studies at Kalamazoo and published an article in Medieval Clothing and Textiles (Boydell and Brewer) on her study of a 15th century quilted armor.
Jessica currently lives in Lawrence, Kansas with her family. In between “kid-wrangling” her children and remodeling her house, she writes books and does her assigned physical therapy exercises.
Kevin Inouye
He/him
Kevin is a Certified Teacher and Theatrical Firearms Instructor with the SAFD, a SAG-AFTRA stunt performer, and author of The Theatrical Firearms Handbook and The Screen Combat Handbook. He’s an Assistant Professor of Movement, Acting, and Stage Combat at Case Western Reserve University, having previously taught at the University of Wyoming, the College of William & Mary, Christopher Newport University, and Virginia Commonwealth University. In non-pandemic times, he works regularly as a fight choreographer for Cleveland Playhouse, Karamu House, and other area theatres, and provides prop weapons rentals through his company Fight Designer, LLC. Outside of the world of fight work, he’s a Certified Teacher with the National Michael Chekhov Association, Assistant Faculty with Theatrical Intimacy Education, and a freelance artist..
Killian McMurphy
He/him
"The Shamrock Shooter" Killian McMurphy has traveled all over the United States as well as Canada performing the great craft of professional wrestling! Killian learned the art of pro wrestling as well as stunt fighting from Jon Patrick Trosky, featured in films such as Wolf of Wall Street and The Wrestler. McMurphy went on to wrestle legends of the ring such as the Rock and Roll Express' Ricky Morton and WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Valiant, making fans across the world! With television experience working as an extra as well as a timekeeper for Impact Wrestling, McMurphy as seen how this business operates at the highest level. He wants to pass some of the fundamentals of what he's learned over to you! Considering his experience in professional wrestling training in both an assistant and head trainer role, Killian knows what it takes to teach you the basics of this incredible 360-degree theatrical combat experience!
Leraldo Anzaldua
He/him
Leraldo is a Houston,TX based Actor, and a Fight Director with the Society of American Fight Directors and choreographer with Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. Theatres include: Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Houston Grand Opera, Alley Theatre Cardinal Stage and Indiana Repertory Theatre. He is a voiceover talent of almost 100 characters with Sentai Filmworks including: Ken/ G-1 -Gatchaman;; Takashi- High School of the Dead; Halo Legends, Noda- Angel Beats, Kei Tsukishima – Haikyu!;Ryo Kurokiba – Food Wars! With Funimation: Largo – One Piece and many more. He has many titles currently on Netflix, Hulu and Cartoon Network/Adult Swim. He has been a motion capture performer and fight director with Sony Pictures: Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars; Appleseed: Alpha. Starship Troopers: Invasion in Tokyo, Japan. He has been a Motion Capture Fight Director & Talent for video games: The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay; Just Cause; Knights of the Temple: The Infernal Crusade in Stockholm & Uppsala, Sweden.
He has received a Master’s Degree in Acting from the University of Houston. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Movement and Stage Combat with the Dept of Drama, Theatre & Contemporary Dance at IU.
Lisa Kopitsky
She/her
Lisa is a New York-based fight director and movement teacher who has been creating violence for both theater and film for almost fifteen years. She has her Masters degree in Movement Dramaturgy and Pedagogy from New York University and utilizes traditional text-based techniques in her physical work. Lisa has been studying movement in various forms for her entire life, including a number of martial arts and dance techniques, such as karate, hip hop, and tango. Stage combat allows her to incorporate her martial and performative backgrounds to create realistic, effective, and textually-supported violence. Her work has been seen on Broadway with Manhattan Theatre Club, The Public Theater, and Scott Rudin/Joey Parnes Productions, as well as at Lincoln Center, Theater for a New Audience, Second Stage, The New Group, Roundabout Theater, ART, Williamstown Theatre Festival, and beyond. She is a founding member and Creative Director of Vixens En Garde, an all-female Shakespeare, swordfighting, comedy troupe.
Meron Langsner, PhD
He/him
Meron is a playwright, scholar, fight director/movement specialist, and educator. As a fight director, he has over 175 credits in venues ranging from LORT houses to prestigious conservatories and from indie films to PBS. He has numerous publications on stage combat including both popular/industry outlets and peer-reviewed academic presses. Some of his bylines include: American Theatre, Backstage, HowlRound, The Theatre Times, The Sondheim Review, and of course, The Fight Master: Journal of the SAFD. His plays have been performed around the country and overseas and have been published by Bloomsbury, Smith & Kraus, Applause, and YouthPLAYS. Meron has had writing fellowships with NNPN, Project Y, and Athena Theatre and was most recently an Audio Podcast Fellow with Stony Brook University. He holds an MA in Performance Theory from NYU/Tisch, an MFA in Playwriting from Brandeis, and a PhD in Theatre History from Tufts University, where he received the Award for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education. More at www.MeronLangsner.com
Lyndall Grant
She/her
Lyndall is a Fight Director, Movement Director and Motion Capture Specialist, who works in Australia and Internationally for stage, screen and motion capture. She is a member of the Society of Australian Fight Directors, and certified Dramatic Combat teacher with the British Academy of Dramatic Combat. Until recently Lyndall was the Tutor in Theatre (Stage Combat) at the Victorian College of the Arts, with the University of Melbourne. Lyndall trained as an actor as London’s ArtsEd School of Acting, before specialising in fight performance and physical performance. She began working as a fight director in London in 2010, and since then also specialised in Motion Capture performance, tuition and direction. In 2013 Lyndall established Captivate Action Ltd. in the U.K., as the first company to specialise in training and performance in action and Motion Capture. Captivate established the first intensive course for Motion Capture performance. In 2016 Lyndall brought this company home to Australia.
Lyndall is currently an actor and Movement Captain in Melbourne's production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Mike Yahn
He/him
Mike is a Stunt Coordinator and Fight Coordinator based in New Orleans with over a decade of experience in the professional film industry. Recently the fight coordinator for season 2 of USA’s THE PURGE and the current stunt coordinator for Blumhouse’s collaboration with Amazon Prime pictures’ AMAZON 8, he is also a senior instructor (Sifu) at City Wing Tsun in self defense classes, a partner in the NYC based stage & film combat teaching company Combat Incorporated (www.combatinc.com), and a private instructor to professional actors, stunt performers, military personnel, police officers, and corporate heads. His work includes major motion pictures, television, commercials, self-defense instructional videos, stage fights, and comic books. For more information, please go to www.havestuntswilltravel.com or IMDB.com (Click here)
Accolades and Accreditation:
• SAG Best Stunt Ensemble Nomination for DAREDEVIL season 3
• Microwave Award Best fights for DAREDEVIL season 3 prison fight one shot (performance) • Winner Best Fights for New Orleans 48 film festival OL’GIRL
• Certified Teacher through the SAFD
• National Instructor for City Wing Tsun Kung Fu 2012 onwards
• Expert in Wing Tsun Kung Fu, Sifu title under Grandmaster Leung Ting in 2010
Michael Jerome Johnson
He/him
Michael is a Fight Director and Certified Teacher with the SAFD.
His recent fight direction includes Flyin’ West at the University of Maryland, Too Heavy For Your Pockets with George Street Playhouse, Julius Caesar for both TASIS in Lugano, Switzerland and Brown/Trinity Rep, Carmen at Mill City Summer Opera and, And In This Corner, Cassius Clay — which he also directed — co-produced by Childs Play and Black Theatre Troupe in Phoenix. Michael also served as Stunt Consultant for Rep Stage’s production of Kill Move Paradise.
Other workshops Michael has taught at include the Nationals Stage Combat Workshop, the New York Summer Sling (which he co-hosts with Michael Chin a the other members of Fights 4), the Brawl of America, Cease and Desist, Philadelphia Cheesesteak, Dueling Arts International’s Winter Workshop, and the A-Town Throw Down. In January, Michael had the pleasure of teaching at the Winter Wonderland Workshop, again, as well as the WWW Knife Intensive, where he had the pleasure to co-teach with his old friend, Don Preston.
Nicole Perry
She/her
Nicole Perry is an intimacy director/choreographer, and director and choreographer in South Florida. Recent credits include Imagine: a Journey in Dance at the Kravis Center, choreography and intimacy direction for the US premiere of The Glass Piano at Theatre Lab, and intimacy choreography for In the Heights with Measure for Measure Theatre, where she is the resident intimacy choreographer. You can see examples of her work on her website. Nicole is a Certified Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analyst through Integrated Movement Studies. Her final project presented the connection of Laban concepts and vocabulary with Intimacy Choreography. She teaches Master Classes on Dance for Actors and Laban for Actors, as well as being a regular teaching artist for several South Florida children’s theatre programs. She is an adjunct professor of dance at the University of Miami.
She is a member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and the Association of Theatre Movement Educators. She apprenticed with Intimacy Directors International. Nicole founded Momentum Stage, a non-profit providing resources in best practices for performing artists and teachers.
Nigel Poulton
He/him
Nigel is an award-winning movement, fight and intimacy director/coordinator, SAG-AFTRA / MEAA stunt performer and actor with over 25 years of professional experience. Nigel is a certified Intimacy Coordinator with Intimacy Directors International (IDI), and Intimacy Directors and Coordinators (IDC), an Instructor, Fight Director and past President of the Society of Australian Fight Directors Inc; a Certified Fight Director and Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors; an Honorary Fight Director with Fight Directors Canada; and has been certified with the British Academy of Dramatic Combat. Nigel has particular expertise in kinaesthetic movement processes and combat systems, classical, historical and adaptive swordplay, and edged weapon use. He has worked internationally over the last fifteen years, is a classically trained fencer under the tutorship of Maestri Ramon and Jeanette Martinez of the Martinez Academy of Arms, has trained and taught extensively in Historical European Martial Arts throughout the world, and has over 20 years experience in a variety of mainland and archipelago Asian martial systems. Nigel is also a practitioner of Vsevelod Meyerhold’s Theatrical Biomechanics system, having trained intensively with the system’s current custodian Gennadi Bogdanov. Learn more about
Ruth Cooper-Brown
She/her
Ruth Cooper-Brown co founded Rc-Annie Ltd with Rachel Bown-Williams in 2005. Rc-Annie is a Dramatic Violence company providing Fight Directors, Instructors, Specialist Training, Weapon hire and Fake blood. Ruth is a Fight Director and a British Academy of Dramatic Combat (BADC) certified Teacher & Examiner. Ruth served on the BADC committee for 10 years (as chair person for 6 years) and currently has a BADC apprentice. She also served on the committee of the IOSP. Ruth is proud to be instrumental in the changing of Theatrical Handgun practises in the UK and has had articles published in the UK & USA. She is the resident Stage Combat teacher for the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts and enjoys teaching internationally.
Recent theatre credits: The Prince of Egypt (The Dominion theatre), Macbeth (The Globe), A Monster Calls (the Old Vic), The Welkin (National Theatre), The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (The Bridge), Noises Off (The Vaudeville), Measure for Measure, The Taming of the Shrew and As You Like It (the RSC).
Scottie Witt
He/him
Scott Witt is an award-winning entertainment practitioner and educator. With a career spanning, just over thirty-five years he continuously works in stage, television, film, and the corporate sector. Scott's career embraces acting, writing, fight directing, directing, intimacy advocacy, designing movement, physical dramaturgy, slapstick, and clowning. His work in Australia has been seen all over the country including companies such as Sydney Theatre Company, Melbourne Theatre Company, Bell Shakespeare, Belvoir, Opera Australia, La Boite Theatre, Queensland Theatre, Zen Zen Zo, Queensland Performing Arts Trust, Opera Queensland, Queensland Ballet, and many independent features and short films. Performances Scott has directed have played throughout Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Europe and Hong Kong. During 2002 and 2003 he was the Intern and Associate Director for the Queensland Theatre under Michael Gow. In 2004 Scott completed a Master in Fine Arts at Creative Industries, Queensland University of Technology.
Siobhan Richardson
She/her
Always infusing Joyfulness into the work, Siobhan is an internationally-recognized Fight Director, an Intimacy Director (a pioneer voice in this specialty across Canada), and an award-winning Actor. Her teaching career has taken her across Canada, USA and Europe, including international events such as the Paddy Crean International Art of the Sword Workshop, Fight Directors Canada's National Workshops, and the Nordic Stage Fight Society's Summer Workshops, and four separate teaching
tours including Sweden, Norway, Estonia, England, Ireland, Scotland, Finland, Germany and France. She’s been both a student and a teacher online for over a decade. In all her work, Siobhan is dedicated to the growth and development of the art form, the artists and our workplaces in order to support a vibrant and healthy artistic community. Passionately curious, Siobhan continues to pursue her own training, and is continually experimenting and devising, drawing from various arts and science for the betterment of our performances, rehearsal practices and the spaces we work in.
www.SiobhanRichardson.com
Instagram: @fighteractress
YouTube: www.youtube.com/actorsr
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SiobhanRichardsonFighterActress/
Todd Campbell
He/him
Todd has been practicing the art of stage combat for over twenty years. A certified Fight Master with Fight Directors Canada, he has created violence for over one hundred theatre and film productions. Todd was a resident fight director at The Stratford Shakespeare Festival for four seasons where he worked on such critically acclaimed productions as Cymbeline, Twelfth Night, Camelot, Dangerous Liaisons and Zastrozzi to name a few. An avid student of historical European martial arts, he has spent his career as a fight director trying to infuse theatrical violence with more historical realism. He has had the great opportunity to train with some of the leading experts in historical martial arts and has used this knowledge to create fights that are not only safe and tell the story of the play but are also martially sound.
Todd also created the popular show ‘Duel of Ages’ at the Toronto Fringe (’07) and Next Stage Festivals (’11). An anthology play about the history of dueling, DOA was a vehicle to showcase the talents of FDC members in the Toronto area. He is a founding member of the award winning Riot Act stunt team. www.riotact.ca and teaches at Rapier Wit in Toronto www.rapierwit.com
Photo by Dahlia Katz
Registration
Registration IS OPEN!
Tuition Rates
With the flexibility of the internet comes the freedom for you to
choose your own adventure for this workshop!
You can register for:
The Full Workshop: Weekend Pass
$90
(8 classes & 2 Panels)
The Half Workshop: 1 Day Pass
Can be used for either Saturday or Sunday
$55
(4 Classes* & 1 Panel)
*These classes cannot be split up over the weekend.
À La Carte Classes
$15
Purchase individual classes.
As many as you’d like.
BIPOC Pay-What-You-Want
We acknowledge that within the field of stage combat, BIPOC students and teachers, have been underrepresented. We want to see this change. As a first step toward fostering more diverse classrooms and a more inclusive community, we want to specifically welcome all Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and People of Color to join us at the SDS 2.0.
We are offering an option to attend the full weekend workshop and Pay What You Want at regisration to all BIPOC students who would like to train with us and engage in this work.
Pay It Forward Classes
If you find yourself with a few extra dollars and would like to sponsor a class for someone else, select this option at registration. We will use these funds to give folks without the means the opportunity to attend a class.
If you find yourself unable to afford even a single class, for which there is no shame, you can register for our Pay It Forward Scholarship wait-list here: CLICK HERE
We request you thoughtfully register for this list and only do so if your need is sincere.
You are members of our fight family and we trust you.
We cannot guarantee you will receive a class.
Funds will be distributed a random selection process.
Merchandise
To help keep our tuition low, we will not be providing a complimentary t-shirt.
However, should you want to purchase some merchandise (T-shirt, mug, neck gaiter etc.) you can!
Just visit our SDS Merch Store: Click here!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I download Zoom?
Download Zoom by clicking here.
I've never used Zoom, what do I need to know?
Check out Zoom's tutorials by clicking here.
Can I get Certified during this workshop?
No. Additionally, please note that the Society of American Fight Directors has qualified that only in-person hours can be counted towards SPT training hours.
If other members of my household want to participate do they need to register?
Yes. Anyone who engages with our content must register and pay separately as well as agree to the terms and conditions.
Do I need previous stage combat experience?
For some of the classes, you might, but it should be clear in the description whether that class can be engaged with if you're brand new to the work. Unsure? Contact us.
Do I need my own theatrical weapons?
No! You may see some teachers utilize stage combat weapons while teaching their classes, however, they will offer an alternative prop you find in your home (kitchen spoon instead of a sword for example). If you're unsure of what you'll need for any given class, check the description. But if you have a theatrical weapon that you’d like to use, and the space to use it, you’re welcome to do so!
What do I need for class?
Each class will have different needs and for some you may need to locate some items within your space to use. Each class description will detail what they recommend having at the ready. We also recommend having water close at hand, and an open mind.
Will there be Social Distance Showdown Workshop T-Shirts?
You better believe it! Unfortunately we are unable to provide a free shirt with registration, however, you can purchase a shirt and have it shipped to your home by clicking here!
How long is registration open?
Workshop Registration will be open for Weekend Passes, 1 Day Passes for Saturday or Sunday and all A La Carte classes until 11:59pm EDT on Friday 5/15. You can register for 1 Day Passes for Sunday and Sunday A la Carte classes until 11:59 pm EDT on Saturday 5/16.
How does class sign up work?
Once you have registered and paid, you will be emailed a form to fill out with the classes you’d like to attend. The day prior to the event you will be sent an email with all of the zoom links for the classes for which you are signed-up.
What happens if I need to adjust my registration or class schedule?
If you need to change your registration or class sign ups/personal schedule, just fill out this form! We will do our best to accommodate requested changes. If your request is to transition into a Close Encounter small group seminar and it is full, we will let you know.
What is the class limit for Close Encounters (Small Group Seminar) Classes?
Each class will have its own class limit based on the instructor's structure for the class. If the class is full when you register, you will be added to the wait-list for the class if desired. Then if a spot opens up in the class we will contact you.
I only want to take one specific class and it's full. What do I do?
You can add your name to the wait-list and we will contact you if a spot becomes available. See below for more details.
How does the wait-list for the Close Encounters (Small Group Seminars) work?
With limited capacity in our Close Encounters classes, we will be curating wait-lists on a first come-first serve basis. If a spot opens up you will be contacted. Response is critical and mandatory to then reserve your spot in the class. If a spot becomes available BEFORE Oct 1, you will receive an email and have 24 hours to confirm your continued interest in claiming the spot in the class. If a spot opens up Oct 1 and AFTER you will get a call or text depending on your preferred contact method and have a 3 hour window to confirm your interest in claiming the spot in the class. If you do not respond within the designated window, the spot may be offered to the next person on the wait-list. Use this form to sign up for a wait-list CLICK HERE.
Will classes be recorded and shared at a later date?
At the instructors' discretion, classes will be recorded and made available for future access for individuals who attended the live class. If you would like to purchase access to the recording of a class you didn't attend, there will likely be an avenue through which to do so. It is possible these recorded videos will not be posted until 1 month after the live event. If you registered for the class, you will be notified of their posting.
Will I be shown in the recording?
The recording of Zoom meetings features only the speaker of the class. This will often be the teacher. If you are muted, your video won't be part of the recording. If you unmute yourself and speak, then you will likely have anything you say aloud and the video of you saying it included in the recording.
How should I ask questions in class?
The best way to ask questions is to use the chat function in the Zoom meeting. If you unmute yourself and ask, you may be featured in the recording of the class later posted online.
Can I split up my 1 Day Pass between classes on both days?
Unfortunately, we can't accommodate a division of a day pass. If you want to take classes on both days but don't want to get the full Weekend Pass, we recommend purchasing the appropriate number of single classes.
What happens if I hurt myself or break something?
With the instructor unable to be present in your physical space and see it fully, you assume all liability for yourself, your space, the objects and other persons within it. These classes will be taught with safety in mind, as all stage combat training is, however, we cannot see into your space and accommodate for all circumstances in your world. We claim no responsibility for any injury or damaged property. For further details, please refer to the liability waiver you signed in advance of the workshop. We recommend you take all possible precautions in preparing your space for engagement with the classwork.
f you get seriously injured please use your discretion in calling 911 and seeking medical attention.
What happens if my internet cuts out or my technology kicks me out of class?
Simply restart/relaunch your Zoom. We will have monitors in each room keeping an eye on the wait room.
Do you have tech support?
We will be using Zoom. If you have trouble downloading it or using it on your device, contact them directly. We will be on hand during the workshop to offer advice and potentially assist you in troubleshooting your issue, directing you to the right buttons. We recommend you ensure you're able to log into your zoom account at least a day before the workshop. We are not able to offer substantial or in-depth tech support across all technological issues that may arise through this medium on your personal device, but will do our best to help where we can.
Do I need a Zoom Pro account to participate?
Nope! You will need an active email address, to download Zoom and set up a Zoom account. The free account will work just as well as any other account level to engage with our classes.
What is the refund policy?
All tuition payments may be refunded if registration is withdrawn and cancelled before 11:59 pm EDT on September 28th. A 50% refund can be issued if cancellation is executed between September 29th - and 11:59 EDT on September 30th. No refunds will be issued October 1st and beyond. Please contact us directly to make changes to your registration.
Can I get a refund for the class if my technology doesn't work?
Unfortunately, after a class has begun we are unable to issue refunds for technical issues on your end. However, you will still be eligible to receive a recording of the missed class. If it is in advance of the class or workshop, we will handle these inquiries on an individual basis.