Service Description

This fun, inclusive, and safe class is an introduction to hand-to-hand stage combat. Students will perform choreographed combat moves, including slaps, punches, shoves, hair pulls, falls and knaps, while prioritizing performer safety and practicing storytelling through scene-work. Students should wear loose, comfortable clothing and closed toed shoes (such as sneakers). Whether you are a seasoned professional or brand new to stage combat, this workshop offers actors of every level the tools to deepen and hone their craft. Biography: Sam Ashdown is a professional actor and fight director. Sam received his MFA in Acting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and BFA in Acting from Southern Oregon University. In 2012, Sam was SAFD certified in Small Sword, Single Sword, Quarterstaff and Hand-to-Hand Combat. As a fight director, Sam’s work has been seen on stages such as The Gulfshore Playhouse (Romeo and Juliet), Definition Theatre (The Flying Dutchman) and University of Montana Western (Romeo and Juliet Boot Camp). Acting roles include the title roles in Henry V for the Utah Shakespeare Festival and Hamlet for the Nashville Shakespeare Festival. Other acting credits include The Old Globe, Maples Repertory Theatre, Lamb’s Players Theatre, Nashville Repertory Theatre, Gulfshore Playhouse, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, People’s Light Theatre Company, Northlight Theater, TimeLine Theatre, American Players Theatre and Montana Shakespeare in the Parks.