One-Shot Stage Combat Intro Workshop Outline
Meron Langsner, MFA, PhD
The following outline can be expanded and contracted for a 1-2 hour workshop depending on the overall receptiveness and discipline of the group. I've used this format with great success in University and High School environments, and as a one-off for theatre companies.
1. Quick talky intro - What is stage combat? Does anyone have any injuries? Etc. - under 4 minutes usually
"If you have a background in martial arts, if you have a background in combat sports, if you are from Brooklyn, please put that aside for the time being."
2. Warmups - To taste. My personal warmup is a mostly a combination of Tai Chi and other martial arts with some Biomechanics. I try to give them a format that's easy to remember and can be used for auditions and for other classes.
When possible I always include the Candle Pose/Shoulder Stand, and teach them how to turn it into a back roll (turn your head all the way to one side so your ear is to the ground, bring your knee from the same side alongside your face so that you're looking at it, now notice that you've done the majority of a back roll).
3. Falls - for each fall I begin with a demo and then tell them the things that can go wrong if they do not follow safety protocols and technique (Hospital/No Hospital)
- Falling to the knees - Remember, no sound means no impact. That is a good thing. This part should be quick.
- Front Fall - Piece by piece and then all at once. If there are a lot of people for the space, do it in shifts. If there is not a lot of time, do one side only. Otherwise do both.
- Add in a step back, then doing the front fall with the same leg stepping forward
- After a few of those, get a volunteer (or assistant) to put their hand on your back and demo this same sequence as a throw to the ground: talk through the concepts and what is learned (victim control, illusion, etc) - then have them pair up and work on it - there will be a tendency to speed up and get sloppy as now they are "acting" - point this out and get them to fix it
- Back falls - be very vigilant about students checking behind themselves
- add the back roll from before if they are up to it
- demoing the back fall w roll with an uncapped water bottle and then taking a sip is a crowd-pleaser
- In small groups, add character/circumstances to falls - "Fall as if you were hit by a drugged dart," "fall as if you were shot in the leg/chest/head/whatever," "fall as if that last drink just caught up to you" etc
4. Non-Contact Blows
Demo a non-contact blow w a volunteer or assistant
Demo how the same action can tell different stories (react as if you are a superhero and that was just an annoyance/react as if i actually am strong/etc
Break them into groups of three for The Cinematographer Exercise - Full description in link
In brief: roles are attacker, receiver, cinematographer - check distance - attacker and receiver execute a move, check in w cinematographer, get feedback, rinse and repeat, switch roles - the third party feedback and group of three helps to keep it under control and add a critical eye - You can add (with care) blows with objects
- Add John Wayne Punch
- Add shared knaps
5. Contact Blows
Optional. If the group is up to it, I add the piledriver stomach punch. I wouldn't do much more in a one-off
6. Hair Pulls
Keep it slow and technical, esp w younger groups
7. Chokes
Optional. Again, slow and technical. Possibly only a demo.
8. Simple Combo
3-5 move sequence, time permitting, if the group is up to it
9. Q&A and Quick Additional Info, etc
Stress the importance of hiring a professional and of advocating for your own safety.
Describe weapons work a bit
Describe show protocols, fight call, etc
Take a few questions
1. Quick talky intro - What is stage combat? Does anyone have any injuries? Etc. - under 4 minutes usually
"If you have a background in martial arts, if you have a background in combat sports, if you are from Brooklyn, please put that aside for the time being."
2. Warmups - To taste. My personal warmup is a mostly a combination of Tai Chi and other martial arts with some Biomechanics. I try to give them a format that's easy to remember and can be used for auditions and for other classes.
When possible I always include the Candle Pose/Shoulder Stand, and teach them how to turn it into a back roll (turn your head all the way to one side so your ear is to the ground, bring your knee from the same side alongside your face so that you're looking at it, now notice that you've done the majority of a back roll).
3. Falls - for each fall I begin with a demo and then tell them the things that can go wrong if they do not follow safety protocols and technique (Hospital/No Hospital)
- Falling to the knees - Remember, no sound means no impact. That is a good thing. This part should be quick.
- Front Fall - Piece by piece and then all at once. If there are a lot of people for the space, do it in shifts. If there is not a lot of time, do one side only. Otherwise do both.
- Add in a step back, then doing the front fall with the same leg stepping forward
- After a few of those, get a volunteer (or assistant) to put their hand on your back and demo this same sequence as a throw to the ground: talk through the concepts and what is learned (victim control, illusion, etc) - then have them pair up and work on it - there will be a tendency to speed up and get sloppy as now they are "acting" - point this out and get them to fix it
- Back falls - be very vigilant about students checking behind themselves
- add the back roll from before if they are up to it
- demoing the back fall w roll with an uncapped water bottle and then taking a sip is a crowd-pleaser
- In small groups, add character/circumstances to falls - "Fall as if you were hit by a drugged dart," "fall as if you were shot in the leg/chest/head/whatever," "fall as if that last drink just caught up to you" etc
4. Non-Contact Blows
Demo a non-contact blow w a volunteer or assistant
Demo how the same action can tell different stories (react as if you are a superhero and that was just an annoyance/react as if i actually am strong/etc
Break them into groups of three for The Cinematographer Exercise - Full description in link
In brief: roles are attacker, receiver, cinematographer - check distance - attacker and receiver execute a move, check in w cinematographer, get feedback, rinse and repeat, switch roles - the third party feedback and group of three helps to keep it under control and add a critical eye - You can add (with care) blows with objects
- Add John Wayne Punch
- Add shared knaps
5. Contact Blows
Optional. If the group is up to it, I add the piledriver stomach punch. I wouldn't do much more in a one-off
6. Hair Pulls
Keep it slow and technical, esp w younger groups
7. Chokes
Optional. Again, slow and technical. Possibly only a demo.
8. Simple Combo
3-5 move sequence, time permitting, if the group is up to it
9. Q&A and Quick Additional Info, etc
Stress the importance of hiring a professional and of advocating for your own safety.
Describe weapons work a bit
Describe show protocols, fight call, etc
Take a few questions