Stage combat (degree)

East 15 runs the UK’s first and only full-time degree in stage combat, stunts and related performance skills. The course will introduce students to the key elements of specialist performance skills (basic stunts and combat) for theatre, tv and film. This will include armed and unarmed combat, acting skills, animal work and a range of physical and performance skills. Students will be given the option of completing their studies after two years and receiving a foundation degree. Alternatively, students may continue their studies for a further year, working towards a full degree.

Students going on to the third year of the course will be trained to become instructors and fight directors in their own right, working towards qualifications which could eventually allow them to become fight directors.

The course will give students professional skills to work creatively and safely. As specialists in their field, students will study in an historical as well as contemporary context, learning research skills required to develop their work within the industry. Students will also be given assistance in marketing themselves.

Applicants must be able to face the rigours of the course, which might include gymnastics, swimming, horse riding and strenuous physical effort. The course would suit those who have already done martial arts, gymnastics, fencing, athletics or similar pursuits, and who have the potential to use these skills in a creative context as an actor/performer. Because of the specialist nature of the course, enrolment is limited to 16 students.

Getting a degree is not the only way to get into stage combat and fight directing. The British Academy of Stage & Screen Combat (BASSC) and British Academy of Dramatic Combat (BADC) have details of other kinds of training.

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