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RAPIER FOR THE STAGE

September 17th, 2017 | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
The Academy of Dance | 910 Camosun Cresent

This introductory course on rapier for the stage will teach the fundamental principles of swordplay to prepare you for any rapier/sabre sword-wielding role.

Taught by Melissa Thomas, certified Rapier Combatant through Fight Directors Canada, and Andrew G. Cooper, the Artistic Director of Chimera Theatre and an award-winning choreographer, this four-hour workshop will teach you the basics of swordplay with a focus on rapier combat. During the class, you will build a solid foundation with the rapier as you practice posture, movement, footwork, cuts, slashes, parries, and storytelling for stage combat. The course will also cover proper safety for actors, terminology, sounds, and style.

 

This is a hands-on workshop ideal for beginners aged 15 and up. All levels of physical abilities are welcome and no previous experience is required. All the swordplay equipment required to participate is provided. Cost is $50 per participant.

 

We have a special deal this season for members of the Chimera Theatre Society! Purchasing a membership with a donation totaling $25 or more will earn you a Snake Membership which will entitle you to a 10% discount off ALL the Chimera Theatre workshops and classes for the season! Check out our Membership Page for more information.

 

To register and find out about our payment options, email our Education Coordinator Melissa Thomas at info@chimeratheatre.com.

 

 

About Melissa Thomas

 

Melissa Thomas holds an MFA in Directing from the University of Calgary and a BA in Theatre from Thompson Rivers University.

 

Melissa the artistic director for Project X Theatre and has directed several box office record breaking shows for the company including: The Wizard of Oz, Fantastic Mr. Fox, James and the Giant Peach; and assistant directed You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. Melissa has also assistant directed several shows for Western Canada Theatre including: Silent Chap, Fiddler on the Roof, and Trying. Recently her work as a fight director has been seen productions: The Jungle Book, Knights of the Sun, Only Drunks and Children Tell the Truth, The Comedy of Errors, and The Merry Adventure of Robin Hood. Melissa has been nominated and short-listed for the Emerging Artist Award for the Mayor’s Gala for the Arts twice.

 

Melissa is a passionate educator who has taught many classes for Western Canada Theatre’s Stage One program and TRU theatre program. She has also facilitated several workshops for Chimera Theatre and SD 73.  

 

Melissa has specialized voice training in voice, movement, stage combat, and puppetry through Canada’s National Voice Intensive, PUSH Physical Theatre, Fight Directors Canada, and Banff Puppet Theatre Intensive.

About Andrew G. Cooper

 

Canadian actor, director, choreographer and playwright Andrew G. Cooper received his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts from Thompson Rivers University and is a freelance theatre artist and founding Artistic Director of Chimera Theatre in Kamloops, BC. He’s won two awards for Outstanding Choreography in Musical Theatre for his work with the Academy of Dance and The Untold Tales of the Brothers Grimm, written and directed by Andrew, was nominated for Best New Play and Best Comedy at the Victoria Fringe Festival. Andrew has been nominated and short-listed for Kamloops’ Mayor’s Gala for the Arts Award as both an Emerging Artist and Artist of the Year in Performing Arts. As a theatre director and creator, Andrew’s focus is on new works and immersive site-specific theatre.

 

In stage combat, Andrew has training in rapier, longsword, dagger, hand to hand, and quarterstaff.

 

 

RAPIER FOR THE STAGE

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