Instructor Recognition |

Apprentice

Though not always required apprenticeships are viewed by Dueling Arts International as the recommended path to study the Art of Theatrical Combat and are highly encouraged and available for aspiring Teachers. Apprenticeships for teaching are available at the request and application of interested and eligible candidates and shall occur under the supervision of a Dueling Art Senior Instructor and are individually tailored to the specific needs of the apprentice. Eligible candidates interested in pursuing an apprenticeship must first submit an application to the Dueling Arts Governing Body.
This application for Apprenticeships should include the following:

1) A letter of intent stating professional goals;
2) Theatrical training and performance resume;
3) Two letters of recommendation including;

a. One from initial and/or primary instructor of theatrical combat to date.
b. Other relevant theatre professional.

Eligible Candidates for Apprenticeships must meet the following criteria.
1) Prior experience in Theatrical Combat under the supervision of a Recognized teacher of theatrical combat.
2) Have expressed interest in furthering their knowledge in a specific area of instruction.
3) Have demonstrated high commitment and skill potential in the art form.

The Governing Body will then review the application and then recommend the most appropriate Senior Instructor to help appropriately guide the apprentice based upon the needs of the applicant. There are not specific requirements in terms of hours or time frame for an apprenticeship as it is acknowledged that all individual candidates have various and different needs according to their skill, knowledge, and previous training.

The Senior Instructor, with the help of the management team, will determine the appropriate duration and curriculum requirements according to the individual’s needs. Eligible candidates may participate in an apprenticeship either after a Dueling Arts Teacher or Fight Director workshop in order to work on skills that were perceived as weaknesses, or prior to these same workshops in order to prepare for the rigorous
demands that the ensuing workshop and profession will require.

Associate Instructor

Dueling Arts recommends the following path to achieving recognition as an Associate Instructor.

1) Participate in a Dueling Arts International Level Two Training Program and achieve recognition as a Theatrical Combatant by Dueling Arts International or be recognized at comparable level by another comparable system of training and recognition.
2) Have completed an Undergraduate Degree and/or possess equivalent experience and education in Theatre or Drama.
2) Act as an Assistant for a Dueling Arts Level National and/or Regional Level One Course or Workshop.
4) Attended and successfully completed a Dueling Arts International Teacher’s Symposium and/or acquired similar experience via an approved apprenticeship with a Dueling Arts Senior Instructor.

Possible Alternative Path For Associate Instructor – In certain situations it may be possible to pursue Recognition as an Associate Instructor by participating in a more extensive Apprenticeship with a Dueling Arts International Senior Instructor at the discretion of and with the support and approval of the Governing Body. Please refer to Section 07.02 in the Policies and Procedures above.

Process of Recognition – Recognition as an Associate Instructor is provided by the Governing Body, in consultation with Senior Instructors and Instructors at Teacher’s Symposium if appropriate. Candidates may be invited by the Governing Body to accept Recognition as an Associate Instructor, or may apply by application to the Governing Body by submitting the following:

1) Letter of intent Stating Professional Goals
2) Two Letters of Support from Dueling Arts International Senior Instructors
3) Complete Resume of Training and Teaching Experience
4) Submit Videotaped samples of Dueling Arts International Level One Skills Test Fights and Course Curriculum Plans.

Upon receipt of such a formal application the Governing Body will discuss same application for approval or not, at the next formal meeting of the Governing Body. At this time the Governing Body may or may not require applicant candidate to improve certain qualities of their work or recommend specific training via an apprenticeship or other to complete candidate’s goal for recognition.

Maintaining Recognition as Associate Instructor – Dueling Arts considers the teaching of Theatrical Combat to be a developed and acquired ability through an ongoing and continual process of growth and experience, and that skills at this Recognized level of Associate Instructor may decline without continued practice. Therefore to maintain recognition by Dueling Arts International as an Associate Instructor any individual so
recognized must teach a minimum of two out of every three years. If an Associate Instructor is unable to fulfill this requirement, recognition as an Associate Instructor will be suspended until they have been able to do so. All Associate Instructors will be asked to submit a resume of teaching experience every two years to the Governing Body in order maintain same Recognition within Dueling Arts International.

Full Instructor

Dueling Arts Recommends The Following Path to Achieving Recognition as a Full Instructor.

1) Participation in a Dueling Arts International Level Three Training Program and recognition as an Advanced Theatrical Combatant by Dueling Arts International or be recognized at a comparable level by another comparable system of training and recognition.
2) Completed an MFA or Recognized Equivalent Training or Experience in Theatre and Drama. Equivalent Experience may or may not be interpreted via submission of Resume of Relevant Professional Experience in Theatre, Drama or Film.
3) Minimum of 5 years active teaching experience with teaching experience including at least two Dueling Arts International Level One Skills test courses in all primary disciplines.
4) Demonstrate ongoing study of theatrical combat and related theatrical movement art forms. (For example: Ongoing or continued training may be taking courses in Theatrical Combat from other like organizations, training in martial arts or fencing, the study of other professional movement disciplines such as Laban – Bartenieff Movement Studies, Alexander or Feldenkriess to name just a few.)
5) Acknowledgment of excellence based upon observation of teaching and evaluation of students work. This acknowledgment is to be provided by Dueling Arts International Adjudicators, (i.e. Senior Instructors ) and offered by way of Recommendation to the Governing Body.
6) Successful participation in a Dueling Arts International Fight Directing Workshop, or other Fight Directing Workshop or equivalent training via an apprenticeship with a Senior Instructor.
7) Act as an Assistant for a Dueling Arts International National and/or Regional Level Two Training Course or Workshop.
8) Demonstrate ability to direct, coach and choreograph Dueling Arts International Level Two Fights of 29 to 31 moves in all primary disciplines: Unarmed, Broadsword, Single Rapier, Rapier & Dagger, Smallsword and
Quarterstaff, and also an fights dealing with unarmed review and Contemporary violence.

Process of Recognition: Recognition as a Full Instructor is provided by the Governing Body, in consultation with Senior Instructors of Dueling Arts Instructors. Candidates may be invited by the Governing Body to accept Recognition as A Full Instructor, or candidates may apply by application to the Governing Body by submitting the following:

1) Letter of intent stating professional goals
2) Two Letters of Support from Dueling Arts International Senior Instructors
4) Complete Resume of Training and Teaching Experience
4) Submit Video-taped samples of Dueling Arts International Level Two Skills Test Fights and Course Curriculum Plans.

Senior Instructor

Dueling Arts International Recommends The Following Path to Achieving Recognition
as a Senior Instructor;
1) Recognition as an Advanced Theatrical Combatant by Dueling Arts International.
2) Completed an MFA or Recognized Equivalent in Theatre and Drama
3) Minimum of 10 years active teaching experience, with teaching Theatrical Combat being a primary component of their teaching schedule and career. Teaching experience should include teaching 2 Level One and 2 Level Two Skills Tests courses in all primary disciplines.
4) Demonstrate ongoing study of theatrical combat and related theatrical Movement art forms and acquisition of certain level of mastery of additional Movement art forms. Ongoing or continued training may consist of courses in Theatrical Combat from other like organizations, training in martial arts or fencing, the study of other professional movement disciplines such as Laban Bartenieff Movement Studies, Alexander or Feldenkriess to name just a few.
5) Demonstration of excellence in their work which may be based upon observation of teaching and evaluation of students work by Senior Instructors of Master Teaches and adjudicators.
6) Participation in a Dueling Arts Fight Directing Workshop, or experience viewed as equivalent training or training via an apprenticeship with a Senior Instructor.
7) Demonstrate ability to direct, coach and choreograph Level Three Fights of 39 to 41 moves in all the primary disciplines of Unarmed, Broadsword, Single Rapier, Rapier & Dagger, Smallsword and Quarterstaff, and also an unarmed contemporary violence scene;
8) Demonstrate ability to direct, coach and choreograph Level Three Fights of 29 to 31 move fights in the additional disciplines of Sword & Shield, Sword & Buckler, Sword & Cloak, Double Rapier, and an 18 to 21 move Knife-Fight either by video tape or live demonstration.
9) Assist at a Dueling Arts International Advanced Training Workshop.

Process of Recognition: Recognition as a Senior Instructor is provided by the Governing Body, in consultation with Senior Instructors of Dueling Arts Instructors. Candidates may be invited by the Governing Body to accept Recognition as A Senior Instructor, or may apply by application to the Governing Body by submitting the following:

1) Letter of Intent Stating Professional Goals
2) Two Letters of Support from Dueling Arts International Senior Instructors
3) Complete Resume of Training and Teaching Experience
4) Submit Videotaped samples of Dueling Arts International Level Three Skills Test Fights and Course Curriculum Plans.

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.

The honorary tile of Master Teacher will be applied to any candidate eligible for such a designation. There is no formal application process or request protocol, nor will one be accepted. The designation is given at the discretion of the Governing Body and may involve the input of its advisers.