A Theatrical Combatant is an individual who has received training in a class or workshop, and who has been adjudicated by Dueling Arts International. Dueling Arts International provides three levels of training and recognizes six different classifications of Combatant, with two classifications on each level of training. These different classifications are intended to accurately represent the level of training experienced by the student, the specific disciplines studied, and the individual student’s skill level demonstrated during both the training and the adjudication process. On Training Level One, Dueling Arts recognizes students as Beginning Combatants and Basic Theatrical Combatants. On Training Level Two Dueling Arts recognizes students as Intermediate Combatants and Theatrical Combatants, and on Training Level Three Dueling Arts recognizes students as Advanced Theatrical Combatants and Performance Masters of Theatrical Combatant. The level of training and the disciplines studied and successfully completed are indicated on student’s certificates, which have an expiration date of 3 years.
Understanding that not all students aspire to be Instructors and/or Fight Directors Dueling Arts has developed this path of study to acknowledge actors who chose to pursue their study as Theatrical Combatants without necessarily following a path toward becoming a Fight Director or an Instructor. Dueling Arts also recognizes that our work as Fight Directors is often dependent upon the skills of our actors and that it is appropriate to recognize their abilities accordingly.
Dueling Arts International shall, in the near future, display and maintain a roster on the Dueling Arts web site of all students who are recognized as Advanced Theatrical Combatants and Performance Masters of Theatrical Combat for purposes of casting opportunities and recommendations.
These are individuals who have both extensive training as performers, and also training and experience as instructors in the art of theatrical combat. Following a similar model to that which is utilized in colleges and universities for instructors and professors Dueling Arts recognizes the following; Associate Instructor, Full Instructor, Senior Instructor and Master Teacher.
These are individuals who have extensive training as performers of theatrical combat and also training and experience in coaching and directing theatrical violence for the stage and film. Following a similar model to that which is utilized in colleges and universities for instructors and professors Dueling Arts recognizes the following; Associate Fight Directors, Full Fight Director, Senior Fight Director and Master Director.
Levels of Training and Recognitions for Theatrical Combatants:
Level One Training:
Dueling Arts International Level One Training Program in Theatrical Combat provides training in the most common and basic theatrical fighting techniques available to Instructors and Fight Directors in the following primary disciplines: Unarmed Theatrical Combat, Medieval Broadsword, Rapier and Dagger of The Renaissance, Transitional Single Rapier, Smallsword of The Restoration, and Quarterstaff. Students who successfully complete this entire training program will have received a minimum of 12 hrs. training in each of the basic disciplines noted above. (Instructors may provide more hours of training if their curriculum and training time allows.) Students who complete just part of Level One Training will have received a minimum of 12 hrs. training in each of the disciplines listed on their certificates of recognition. This number of training hours represents half the number of training hours of students who have completed all or part of The Dueling Arts Level Two Training Program.
Level One Adjudication: Students are eligible to participate in a skills adjudication test in each discipline that they have received at least 12 hrs. of training. (Instructors may provide more hours of training if their curriculum and training time allows) Students who choose to take and pass this test may be acknowledged as either Beginning Combatants or Basic Theatrical Combatants.
Beginning Combatant: A student who has completed part or all of Dueling Arts Level One Training, and has demonstrated the ability to execute basic theatrical fights of a length of 18 to 21 moves in the disciplines listed on their certificate with the most basic level of proficiency at or near performance speed. The disciplines in which students have achieved the level of Beginning Combatant are listed on their certificates of recognition.
Basic Theatrical Combatant: A student who has completed part or all of Dueling Arts Level One Training and has demonstrated the ability to execute and perform theatrical fights of a length of 18 to 21 move fight in the disciplines listed on their certificate at performance speed while exhibiting precise technical skill, and also exhibiting necessary dramatic intention and emotional commitment serving both the physical action of the fight and the overall dramatic content of the scene. The disciplines in which students have successfully achieved the level of Basic Theatrical Combatant are listed on their certificates of recognition.
Please note that for students to be recognized as Basic Theatrical Combatants they must have studied and be recognized as such in a minimum of two disciplines, with one discipline being unarmed combat. Students may be recognized as Beginning Combatants in certain disciplines, while being recognized as Basic Theatrical Combatants in others. These Certificates of Recognition expire after three years.
It is the opinion of Dueling Arts International that students recognized as Basic Theatrical Combatants are able to technically execute, and dramatically perform the average theatrical fight that is choreographed and directed for plays staged here in the United States and abroad.
Level Two Training:
Dueling Arts International Level Two Training program provides training in most, if not all of the theatrical fighting techniques available to Instructors and Fight Directors in the following primary disciplines: Unarmed Theatrical Combat, Medieval Broadsword, Rapier and Dagger of The Renaissance, Transitional Single Rapier, Smallsword of the Restoration, and Quarterstaff. Students who successfully complete this entire training will have received a minimum of 24 hrs. training in each of the primary disciplines noted above. (Instructors may provide more hours of training if their curriculum and training time allows.) Students who have completed this Level Two training have received twice the number of hours of training as students who have completed The Dueling Arts International Level One Training Program. Students who just complete part of Level Two Training will have received a minimum of 24 hrs training in each of the disciplines listed on their certificates of recognition. Additionally, students of Level Two training shall also have received training in performing scenes that contain contemporary violence drawn from contemporary dramatic literature. These scenes may or may not utilized contemporary found objects as appropriate.
Level Two Adjudication: Students are eligible to participate in a Dueling Arts International skills adjudication test in each discipline that they have received at least 24 hrs. of training. Students who participate in Level Two skills Test and pass this test may be recognized either as an Intermediate Combatant, or Theatrical Combatant.
Intermediate Combatant: A student who has completed a Dueling Arts Level Two Training program and has have demonstrated a proficiency which allows them to safely execute technically more challenging theatrical fights of a length of 28 to 31 moves in the disciplines listed on their certificate at, or near, performance speed. The disciplines in which students have successfully achieved the level of Intermediate Combatant are listed on their certificates of recognition.
Theatrical Combatant: A student who has completed a Dueling Arts Level Two Training program and has demonstrated the ability to safely execute theatrical fights of a length of 28 to 31 moves in the disciplines listed on their certificate at performance speed, while exhibiting precise technical skill, and also exhibiting necessary dramatic intention and emotional commitment serving both the physical action of the fight and the overall dramatic content of the scene. The disciplines in which students have successfully achieved the level of Theatrical Combatant are listed on their certificates of recognition.
Please note that for students to be recognized as Theatrical Combatants they must have studied and be recognized as such in a minimum of two disciplines, with one discipline being unarmed combat. Students may be recognized as Intermediate Combatants in certain disciplines, while being recognized as Theatrical Combatants in others. Additionally, for students to be recognized as Theatrical Combatants they must work from pre-scripted scenes, either comedic or dramatic, that appropriately drive the scene toward a resolution requiring fighting and violence. These Certificates of Recognition expire after three years.
It is the opinion of Dueling Arts International that students who are recognized as Theatrical Combatants are able to technically execute and dramatically perform fights that are more challenging than the majority of fights commonly choreographed and performed in theatre today, and that Dueling Arts Theatrical Combatants should be able to perform and execute most, if not all fights choreographed for today’s stage.
Level Three Training:
Dueling Arts International Level Three program provides 96 hours of training in advanced techniques of Theatrical Combat. This training process will review most, if not all of the theatrical fighting techniques available to a Fight Director in the following disciplines; Unarmed Theatrical Combat, Medieval Broadsword, Rapier and Dagger of The Renaissance, Transitional Single Rapier, Smallsword of the Restoration, and Quarterstaff. Level Three students will be expected to safely execute and perform fights of 38 to 41 moves in all of these primary disciplines at performance speed while also exhibiting necessary dramatic intention and emotional commitment serving both the physical action of the fight, and the overall dramatic content of the scene. Students of Level Three Training will also receive training in the additional disciplines Sword and Buckler, Sword and Shield, Sword and Cloak, Double Rapier, Knife-Fighting, Theatrical Martial Arts, Swashbuckling with a Sword and Interpretive Fighting Styles, among others, and also perform fights in these same disciplines. Additionally, Level Three Training will examine fighting techniques for the camera, with and without weapons, and provide training in gun safety and handling. Students who complete a Level Three course will have received a minimum total of 240 hrs. of training including the hours of training received on Levels One and Two.
Level Three Adjudication: Students who successfully complete Level Three Training may be recognized as an Advanced Theatrical Combatant or Performance Master of Theatrical Combat.
Advanced Theatrical Combatant: An Advanced Theatrical Combatant has received a minimum total of 240 hours of training in theatrical combat is able to execute and perform fights in length of 38 to 41 moves in the primary disciplines of Unarmed Theatrical Combat, Medieval Broadsword, Rapier and Dagger of The Renaissance, Transitional Single Rapier, Smallsword of the Restoration, and Quarterstaff, as well as 28 to 31 move fights in the additional disciplines of Sword and Buckler, Sword and Shield, Sword and Cloak, Case of Rapiers, and Knife Fighting at an advanced level consistent with expected standards of professionalism. The Advanced Theatrical Combatant must be able to perform and execute these fights with fully realized dramatic intention and emotional commitment serving both the technique of the fight and the overall content of the scene, and must be able to achieve this level of performance within an accelerated rehearsal period. Additionally, any student recognized as an Advanced Theatrical Combatant will also have received training in Theatrical Martial Arts, staging of Contemporary Violence, Gun Safety and Handling, and Fighting Techniques for the Camera.
Performance Master of Theatrical Combatant: A Performance Master of Theatrical Combat has received a minimum total of 240 hours of training in theatrical combat is able to execute and perform fights in length of 38 to 41 moves in the primary disciplines of Unarmed Theatrical Combat, Medieval Broadsword, Rapier and Dagger of The Renaissance, Transitional Single Rapier, Smallsword of the Restoration, and Quarterstaff, as well as 28 to 31 move fights in the additional disciplines of Sword and Buckler, Sword and Shield, Sword and Cloak, Case of Rapiers, and Knife Fighting at an advanced level consistent with the highest standards of professionalism and performance excellence. The Master of Performance of Theatrical Combatant must be able to execute these fights with fully realized dramatic intention and emotional commitment serving both the technique of the fight and the overall content of the scene. Additionally, any student recognized as a Performance Master of Theatrical Combatant must be able to achieve this level of performance within an accelerated rehearsal period. Furthermore, any student recognized as a Performance Master of Theatrical Combatant will also have received training in Theatrical Martial Arts, staging of Contemporary Violence, Gun Safety and Handling, and Fighting Techniques for the Camera. Dueling Arts has provided this Recognition as Performance Master of Theatrical Combat to acknowledge actors who have chosen to pursue theatrical combat to the highest level as a without necessarily pursuing a path toward becoming a Fight Director or an Instructor.
Please note that Recognition as an Advanced Theatrical Combatant or Performance Master of Theatrical Combatant is not discipline specific. Any such recognition assumes that the actor is able to work at this level in all disciplines noted in Level Three curriculum. It is the opinion of Dueling Arts International that the level of technical difficulty of fights students are required to execute and perform at this level are equal to, or more challenging than most fights commonly performed in theater today.
Dueling Arts International Instructors
Apprentice: An individual currently engaged in a training process directed towards becoming an Instructor of Theatrical Combat. Such training may include working as an assistant to a Dueling Arts International Full and/or Senior Instructor in order to observe, develop and refine their teaching techniques and skills, and/or taking additional classes as a student in order to further refine and develop their techniques in the primary disciplines of theatrical combat, or fulfill other areas of recommended study. These may include, among others, acting or directing classes, training in supportive movement disciplines, vocal technique, etc. Though not always required to be an Instructor, the apprentice process is recognized by Dueling Arts International as one of the best avenues of study toward becoming an instructor and is highly recommended. Apprenticeships are designed on an individual basis and are developed to fill particular educational and training needs of each individual apprentice. Apprenticeships do not have any general, nor specific time limits and/or requirements and are always determined on an individual basis.
Associate Instructor: An individual who has undergone training, via either a Dueling Arts International apprenticeship directed towards being an instructor of Theatrical Combat and/or by attending a Dueling Arts International Teacher’s Symposium, and teaches on a regular basis. Associate Instructors are able to teach Dueling Arts Level One Training Courses in which their students may take a Level One Skills Test with the possibility of achieving recognition as a Beginning Combatant or a Basic Theatrical Combatant as defined by the Dueling Arts International curriculum.
Full Instructor: An individual who has undergone additional training beyond that of an Associate Instructor via either an apprenticeship and/or assistantship, and/or participating in workshops directed towards being an instructor of stage combat, and teaches on a regular and continual basis. Full Instructors are able to teach both Level One Training Courses in which the students may take a Level One Skills Test with the possibility of achieving recognition as a Beginning Combatant or a Basic Theatrical Combatant, and also Level Two Training Courses in which students may be take a Level Two Skill Test with the possibility of achieving recognition as an Intermediate Combatant or Theatrical Combatant as defined by the Dueling Arts International curriculum.
Senior Instructor: An individual who has undergone continued and further training directed towards being an instructor of Theatrical Combat beyond that of an Associate and Full Instructor and has made teaching theatrical combat a primary component of their career. Additionally they have been a Full Instructor, or similarly recognized instructor by another organization for a minimum of five years, and has a total of 10 years teaching experience. Furthermore, they have demonstrated through their work and experience the highest level of expertise enabling them to teach all levels of training, including Levels One, Two and Three, and Advanced Performance workshops as defined by Dueling Arts International Curriculum. Senior Instructors are able to teach Level One Training Courses in which the students may take a Level One skills tests with the possibility of achieving recognition as a Beginning Combatant or a Basic Theatrical Combatant; and Level Two Training Courses in which students may be take a Level Two Skill Tests with the possibility of achieving recognition as an Intermediate Combatant or Theatrical Combatant as defined by the Dueling Arts International curriculum. Additionally Senior Instructors will be the primary Instructors at the Dueling Arts International Level Three (Advanced) Workshops, Fight Director Workshops, and Teacher Symposiums.
Master Teacher: Any individual who has fulfilled all of the requirements of, and has been a Senior Instructor for 5 years and has made teaching the Art of Theatrical Combat a primary component of their career for at least 15 years. The title of Master Teacher is intended to acknowledge dedication, continued growth and expertise as an Instructor of Theatrical Combat over an extended period of time.
Note: Any individual recognized by Dueling Arts International as an Instructor shall assume their own responsibility for their actions, teaching choices, and liability thereof. Dueling Arts International assumes no liability for the actions and decisions of Recognized Instructors thereof.
Dueling Arts International Fight Directors
Associate Fight Director: An individual who has at least 25 fight directing credits, with at least 5 plays or musicals depicting contemporary and/or unarmed violence, and 5 plays or musicals depicting period style violence. Additionally, Associate Fight Directors must be recognized as Dueling Arts Theatrical Combatants.
Full Fight Director: An individual who has at least 50 credits with 10 being equity credits, and with at least 10 credits being plays or musicals depicting contemporary and/or unarmed violence and 10 credits being plays or musicals depicting period style violence. Alternatively, an individual who primarily directs for Universities and/or Community Theatre may be recognized as a Full Fight Director without any equity credits provided that they have at least 75 total credits, with at least 15 credits being plays or musicals depicting contemporary and/or unarmed violence, and at least 15 credits being plays or musicals depicting period style violence. Additionally, Full Fight Directors must be recognized as a Dueling Arts International Advanced Theatrical Combatant.
Senior Fight Director: An individual who has at least 100 credits with at least 20 equity credits, and with 15 credits being plays or musicals depicting contemporary and/or unarmed violence and 15 credits being plays or musicals depicting period style violence. Additionally, Senior Fight Directors must also be recognized as a Dueling Arts International Advanced Theatrical Combatant.
Master Fight Director: An individual who has 200 credits with at least 50 equity credits, and with at least 25 credits (15 of which must be equity) being plays or musicals depicting contemporary and/or unarmed violence, and 25 credits (15 of which must be equity) being plays or musicals depicting period style violence. Additionally, Master Fight Directors must also be recognized as a Dueling Arts International Advanced Theatrical Combatant.
Please note: All Fight Directors recognized thru Dueling Arts International must have attended and successfully completed a Dueling Arts International Fight Directors Workshop. Additionally, please note that acknowledgement as a Fight Director is based primarily upon the number of shows actually contracted for and completed, and not based upon an assessment of artistry as Dueling Arts understands that many aspects of evaluation involved in the Art of Fight Direction may, in fact, be subjective. This further acknowledges that the number of credits does in some manner reflect ability and artistry over time in the professional world as theatres and educational institutions chose to hire these individuals to fulfill their needs for theatrical fight direction on a continuing and recurring basis. Finally, though Dueling Arts understands that the Art of Fight Directing does at times require the teaching of fundamental fight skills, Dueling Arts recommends, but does not require that recognized Fight Directors also be recognized as Instructors as these may in fact be different career paths, though most, if not all Fight Directors may also be Recognized Instructors.
Additional Note: Any individual recognized by Dueling Arts International as a Fight Director shall assume their own responsibility for their actions, directing choices, and liability thereof. Dueling Arts International assumes no liability for the actions and decisions of Recognized Fight Directors thereof.
