OPEN SEMINARS

The following seminars are open to all participants:

BROADSWORD BOOT CAMP – This highly physical seminar is designed to reinforce the fundamentals of fighting with the broadsword and to introduce advanced techniques. Instruction in footwork, primary parries, and primary attacks, will lead into the more complex offensive techniques of half-sword fighting. At the instructors’ discretion, session may incorporate shield-work.

COMBAT STUNT/ACRO – This session focuses on safe and effective use of tumbling skills in a staged fight. Students will begin by learning to fall safely, and then practice a number of tumbling and rolling techniques. From there, the session will open up to explore a variety of sweeps, takedowns, and throws. Knee and elbow pads strongly recommended.

ENGLISH QUARTERSTAFF – Carry a big stick, Sherwood-style! This intensively-paced seminar will cover the offensive and defensive use of the quarterstaff, with focus on the traditional style of the English Middle Ages. Training will include footwork, parries and strikes in both long and short forms, as well as binds, grapples, and simulated impact.

INTENSIVE RAPIER – A fast-paced course in the movement patterns and bladework of the Renaissance’s signature weapon. Session will begin with an accelerated overview of footwork, parry and attack in both linear and circular styles, with particular attention to Spanish-style pointwork. The session will then move on to two-blade rapier & dagger fighting. Heavy emphasis will be placed on form, scrupulous accuracy and speed of execution.

“TAKING IT ON THE CHIN” – Sure, you can dish it out… but can you take it? This seminar will focus on the most important – and most oft-neglected – aspect of stage combat: appropriate reactions. Subject matter will cover impact & blunt trauma, sustained pressure, crushing & strangling, slashing & piercing, simulating agony and unconsciousness, and comic vs. dramatic reactions. Training will be highly personalized to each student’s physicality.

KITCHEN-SINK COMBAT – Caught without your sword? Some situations don’t allow for formal weapons. In this session, students will be instructed in the principles of “found weapon” combat, and given the opportunity to explore a number of unconventional, improvised weapons. Heavy emphasis will be placed on partner work and unorthodox combinations.

MISMATCHES: FACING GOLIATH – Not every fight is fair! After a brief grounding in primary principles, the students will be introduced to the basics of physical disparity and its counters, including evasions, reversals, and disarms. The course will then focus on the classic situations of short weapons versus long, and unarmed versus armed. Focus will be on agility, distance, and clear execution.

“ROB & CLIFF’S DIRTY TRICKS” – Our famous grab-bag session is once again open to your suggestions! Students signing up for this course are encouraged to include their own stage combat ideas and requests as part of their application. We’ll review them in the weeks prior to the class, and some of them just may be chosen as part of the curriculum. Past sessions have included martial arts for the stage, spear & shield, introductory whip-work, and the infamous “Magic Marker Circle of Death”…

Dates:  

January 15 through February 5, 2011

Seminars will run during the last three Saturdays in January and the first Saturday in February, i.e. 1/15, 1/22, 1/29, and 2/5.

Locations:

JP Taekwondo
670 Centre Street

Jamaica Plain

VDA PRODUCTIONS

63 Inner Belt Road

Somerville, MA

The 1/22 seminars will take place at the studios of JP Taekwondo, 670 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain (Boston), MA. Free public parking available off Burroughs and Thomas Streets. Ten minute walk from Green Street MBTA.

The 1/15, 1/29 and 2/5 seminars will take place at VDA Productions, 63 Inner Belt Road, Somerville, MA. Directions are available from the VDA website: go to http://www.vdaproductions.com/contact-off.html and click on “Get Directions”.

THE SCHEDULE:

Each session is three hours long:

early sessions run 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM,

afternoon sessions run 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

1/15 at VDA 10:00 – 1:00 Broadsword Boot Camp

2:00 – 5:00 Intensive Rapier

1/22 at JP TKD 10:00 – 1:00 Combat Stunt/Acro

2:00 – 5:00 “Taking It On The Chin”

1/29 at VDA 10:00 – 1:00 Mismatches

2:00 – 5:00 Kitchen-sink Combat

2/5 at VDA 10:00 – 1:00 English Quarterstaff

2:00 – 5:00 “Rob & Cliff’s Dirty Tricks”

THE COST: The cost per session is $40; doing both sessions on a given day nets you a $15 discount ($65 for the day). We can take cash or checks, and payment is on the day, at the start of class.

SIGNING UP: E-mail Cliff at coscaram@yahoo.com and list what sessions you want to attend. Be sure to detail your previous stage combat experience, if any. Advance payment is not necessary.

Our class sizes have to be limited due to space restrictions, so first come, first served. By the same token, if you sign up, show up (if you must cancel, let us know in advance so we can give your spot to someone else)!

Gloves are strongly recommended for all classes. Wear comfortable clothing that allows free movement, and that you don’t mind sweating in. Knee and elbow pads are recommended for the Combat Stunt/Acro and “Taking It On The Chin” seminars. Students who have their own stage combat equipment are encouraged to bring it; if you will be doing so, please tell us in your sign-up letter. Equipment will be provided for students who don't have their own.

Feel free to contact either Cliff or Rob with questions. Hope to see you there!

At this most festive time of the year, what better to balance out all that joy and goodwill than a little bit of violent (but safe!) mayhem?