Fight Class Week at The Lost Colony
Over the past three weeks, company members at The Lost Colony had the opportunity to participate in a stage combat intensive with Robert Aronowitz (Neutral Chaos Combat). Across 12 intensive days of instruction, participants trained in Unarmed, Knife, Single Sword, and Rapier & Dagger. At the end of the training, participants had the option to test for Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) certification.
Participants not only practiced technique and skill-building, but learned how to tell a story and create character through violence and movement–essential for effective stage combat. For certification testing, company members paired off to stage short scenes incorporating violence, storytelling, and character work. On test day, combatants were adjudicated by Michelle Ladd (SAFD Fight Master), and scen
e presentations were open to the public – and well attended by Lost Colony company members eager to see their colleagues (pretend to) beat each other up.
Scenes ranged from dramatic duels to comedic brawls, including excerpts from Rick and Morty, Sherlock, The Three Musketeers, and even Barbie. All candidates passed their tests and gained certification. Through this workshop, participants learned not only combat technique, but broadened their awareness of physical storytelling and ensemble partnerships, and all the newly certified combatants are excited to put their new skills to work in the rest of the season’s performances of The Lost Colony.
View the Video of Fight Class Week
