Stage Combat Intensive

Stage combat is a specialized performance technique that creates the illusion of physical conflict while keeping performers safe. It is used across theatre, opera, dance, film, and television. This intensive offers an introduction to stage combat for high school and college students seeking a dynamic and unique experience within theatre. In addition to combat techniques, students will explore acting, movement, and improvisation to support storytelling, character development, and scene work. The program concludes with a combined performance alongside participants from the Summer Dance Intensive, open to family and friends, providing a valuable opportunity for actors to showcase their work.

Housing is available for high school participants, offering an immersive introduction to college life and supporting informed future educational decisions in the performing arts. Evening activities will be supervised for those staying in the residence halls.

June 15th-19th, 2026

Registration Deadline: May 1st, 2026

Classes run from 9:00 am–5:00 pm each day, with breaks and time for lunch. All classes take place in the Fine Arts Building. Each day begins with a physical warm-up and body conditioning, followed by stage combat integrated with acting, improvisation, movement, and scene study. The curriculum covers a variety of stage combat fundamentals, including unarmed/hand-to-hand combat, rapier, dagger, and knife work, with an emphasis on body placement, safety, and partner awareness.

Sunday, June 1

• 4:00–6:00 pm | Check-in
• 6:00 pm | Dinner | Champions Kitchen or other campus dining (TBD)
• 7:00–8:30 pm | Welcome Class | Dance Studio, Fine Arts Building
• 9:00 pm | Building Curfew
• 10:00 pm | Bed Checks

Monday, June 2 – Thursday, June 5

• 8:00 am | Breakfast | Champions Kitchen
• 9:00 am–5:00 pm | Combat classes, acting classes, improvisation, and movement (Lunch break included) | Fine Arts Building, Champions Kitchen or other campus dining (TBD)
  • Tues: Special Activity Campus Tour | 4:45–5:15 pm
• 5:00–6:00 pm | Dinner | Champions Kitchen or other campus dining (TBD)
• 6:00–7:00 pm | Rest | Student’s room
• 7:00–8:30 pm | Evening Activity:
  • Mon: Fight choreography movie viewings and discussion | Fine Arts Building
  • Tues: Improvisation Games | Dance Studio, Fine Arts Building
  • Wed: Creativity and Crafts | Art Studio, Holmes Hall
  • Thu: Movie Night | Residence Hall / Common Area
• 9:00 pm | Building Curfew
• 10:00 pm | Bed Checks

Friday, June 6

• 8:00 am | Breakfast | Champions Kitchen
• 9:00 am–5:00 pm | Final Combat, Acting, and Movement Classes with lunch break and final performance | Fine Arts Building
• 5:00–6:30 pm | Check-out

Participants (with Parents/Guardians where applicable) are required to separately submit a filled and signed Emergency Contact, CFA Photo/Video Waiver, Minor Consent Form, and Participation Consent forms. Please submit these forms to Susie Thiel as soon as possible after registering. Registration is not complete without signed and submitted legal forms. If any changes occur, the College of Fine Arts will communicate to all summer program participants before arriving to campus. Students must be at least 13 years of age and a high school freshman by the fall prior to the program to participate.

Tuition: $600
Housing (Optional): $250 (with linens), $200 (without linens)