From beginners to advanced. From the way of the fist to the way of the sword. We cover it all!
Come and join us for one of our stage combat workshops and develop your skills as an actor-combatant.
Unarmed Intensive Workshop
This three day intensive will give you a clear and practical understanding of unarmed combat for a live stage. You will learn about the core fundamentals of stage combat, perform a variety of unarmed techniques with the guidance of skilled instructors and perform a choreographed combat scene to your peers. You will also come away with high-quality video footage of your fight scenes.
During this intensive, you will learn:
- The safety procedures and practices used when performing stage combat i.e. distancing, signalling and casting energy.
- How to effectively perform a variety of attacking and defensive unarmed techniques.
- How to build a piece of coherent choreography for performance and how to bring in character to transform choreography into a believable fight scene.
- How to “sell” a convincing fight to an audience.
At the end of the workshop students will have the option gain certification, with Fleur de Lis, from the unarmed intensive workshop. The test fee is included in the course price.
Both instructors have been trained at degree level in acting and stage combat, using techniques taught by the BADC (British Academy of Dramatic Combat) and the BASSC (British Academy of Stage and Screen Combat), thus our courses and exams will offer and assess an amalgamation of adapted and refined techniques based on this training.
Quarterstaff Intensive Workshop
Get stuck in!
Try your hand at wielding a 6 foot wooden staff whilst learning the fundamental skills to perform with this unique weapon system, during our intensive course, with industry professionals.
During this intensive, you will learn:
- The safety procedures and practices used when performing stage combat i.e. distancing, signalling and casting energy.
- The main parries, attacks and footwork used in quarterstaff.
- How to apply this into a choreographed quarterstaff fight.
- How to “sell” a convincing fight to an audience.
By the end of this course you will have an understanding and knowledge of how to use quarterstaff in a theatrical environment.
At the end of the course students will have the option gain certification, with Fleur de Lis, from the quarterstaff intensive workshop. The test fee is included in the course price.
Both instructors have been trained at degree level in acting and stage combat, using techniques taught by the BADC (British Academy of Dramatic Combat) and the BASSC (British Academy of Stage and Screen Combat), thus our courses and exams will offer and assess an amalgamation of adapted and refined techniques based on this training.
Sword & Shield Beginners
Here is where it all starts!
If you have no, or little experience in stage combat, this course provides the perfect foundation, ensuring you have all the fundamental skills required to become a fierce actor-combatant.
At beginners level you will learn:
- The safety procedures and practices used when performing stage combat i.e. distancing, signalling and casting energy.
- The basic parries, attacks and footwork used in the weapon system.
- How to apply these into choreography for stage.
- How to “sell” a convincing fight to an audience.
By the end of this course you will have a basic understanding and knowledge of how to use the weapon in a theatrical environment.
At the end of the course students will have the option to certify with Fleur de Lis at Beginners Level Sword and Shield. The test fee is included in the course price.
Please note: all courses must be taken sequentially unless specified otherwise by a member of our team.
Both instructors have been trained at degree level in acting and stage combat, using techniques taught by the BADC (British Academy of Dramatic Combat) and the BASSC (British Academy of Stage and Screen Combat), thus our courses and exams will offer and assess an amalgamation of adapted and refined techniques based on this training.
Sword & Shield Intermediate
Ok, so you’re ready to test your mettle with something a little more intense…
Once you’ve completed our beginners course, there’s no better way to take your skills to the next level than our intermediate training.
At intermediate level you will learn:
- More advanced attacks, parries and footwork used in the weapon system.
- How to apply them to a wider, more complex range of choreography.
- How to maintain a character whilst performing choreography.
- How to apply character work and choreography into a theatrical scene.
By the end of this course you will have the confidence and ability to act through fight choreography while using the weapon believably in a high-stake theatrical scene.
At the end of the course students will have the option to certify with Fleur de Lis at Intermediate Level Sword and Shield. The test fee is included in the course price.
Please note: all courses must be taken sequentially unless specified otherwise by a member of our team.
Both instructors have been trained at degree level in acting and stage combat, using techniques taught by the BADC (British Academy of Dramatic Combat) and the BASSC (British Academy of Stage and Screen Combat), thus our courses and exams will offer and assess an amalgamation of adapted and refined techniques based on this training.
Sword & Shield Advanced
Time to go to war!
You’ve passed our beginners and intermediate courses, and now you just need to take those last few steps towards becoming the ultimate actor-combatant.
At advanced level you will learn:
- How to perform in wide-ranging theatrical environments.
- How to face off against multiple opponents within a scene.
- How to work as part of a fight team for battle scenes.
Additionally, you will also be given the opportunity to work with an external, professional fight director and experience what it is like to be a professional actor-combatant in the theatre industry.
By the end of this course you will be considered a professional actor-combatant in this weapon style, and will be eligible for work in any industry-standard production.
At the end of the course students will have the option to certify with Fleur de Lis at Advanced Level Sword and Shield. The test fee is included in the course price.
Please note: all courses must be taken sequentially unless specified otherwise by a member of our team.
Both instructors have been trained at degree level in acting and stage combat, using techniques taught by the BADC (British Academy of Dramatic Combat) and the BASSC (British Academy of Stage and Screen Combat), thus our courses and exams will offer and assess an amalgamation of adapted and refined techniques based on this training.
Knife and Blood Workshop
Master the knife weapon system and learn how to incorporate the use of stage blood into your fight scenes effectively, with the use of blood bags and other stage secrets! This one-off workshop will be lead by an industry professional with a plethora of experience and knowledge to share that you wouldn’t want to miss.
Here is a brief overview of what you can expect from this workshop:
- The safety procedures and practices used when performing stage combat i.e. distancing, signalling and casting energy.
- How to effectively perform a variety of attacking and defensive knife techniques.
- How to build a piece of coherent choreography for performance and how to bring in character to transform choreography into a believable fight scene.
- How to “sell” a convincing fight to an audience.
- Integrating blood bags into knife choreography.
- Q&A and feedback on your work.
By the end of this workshop you will have a basic understanding of how to use knife and blood bags in a theatrical environment.
Workshop Directors

Megan Barnes-RolfActor, Actor Combatant & Fight Director
Meg has trained at degree level in acting and stage combat, at East15 Acting School, using techniques taught by the BADC (British Academy of Dramatic Combat) and the BASSC (British Academy of Stage and Screen Combat). She has gone on to work in commercials, film, TV, immersive events and in notable theatres such as the Globe Theatre in Rome and the Harold Pinter in London’s West End and has toured around Europe with White Horse Theatre, whilst also developing herself as a fight director. She is now the proud director and founder of Fleur de Lis Classical Theatre Company.

Christian ReidActor, Actor Combatant & Fight Director
Chris trained at degree level in Acting and Stage combat at East 15 Acting School. Since then he has developed himself as a fight choreographer, writer, director and producer. He also has additional training in motion capture, stunts, gymnastics/parkour, aerial wire work, high falls, horse riding, and a variety of mixed martial arts styles. He has worked in film, video games, UK and European touring theatre, immersive theatre and performed on notable stages such as the Minack Theatre. He is now one of the founders and directors of Fleur de Lis Classical Theatre Company.

Dimitris KafatarisActor, Fight Director & Firearms Instructor
OFFIE Nominated Dimitris Kafataris is an actor with a military background, who trained at East 15 in BA Acting and Stage Combat. After multiple years working professionally in the industry, he is now a theatrical weapons expert, with a vast experience performing and fight directing with a variety of weapon systems. Dimitris is also a firearms instructor for screen and theatre, specialising in modern warfare roles, firearms handling and tactical military movement. His credits include: fight direction in West End shows such as, Cabaret Kit Kat Club and Priscilla the Party, as well the accredited production of Birthright at the Finborough Theatre in which Dimitris was nominated for an OFFIE for Best Choreography/Movement (Fight Scene). Dimitris is also the founder of TITANBORN, a Theatrical Specialist Combat company.