Stage Combat Workshop for Actors: Unarmed (Hand to Hand) and Swordplay
**Each session is limited to 12 actors / To register, click “Purchase Class” above to pay tuition and then scroll to bottom of this page to register.
Monday, April 15th, 2024
Two Sessions:
High School Students | Ages 14-18 | 4:30-6 p.m.
Adults | Ages 19 & Up | 6:30-8 p.m.
Class Tuition: $55 (incl. fees)

Every play or film seems to have something - a slap, a push, a fall, a struggle. Come learn the theatrical basics of unarmed combat and swordplay, along with SAFE ways to execute what is asked of the actor. We will cover the basics of this fighting style with an emphasis on safety, good partnering, and acting the action! This is a must-know for every actor, and yes, it’s great fun! Emphasis on safety, good partnering, acting the action, and a focus on intimacy technique as it applies to stage fighting. Swordplay will explore techniques of Single Sword, and how we adapt it to the theatricality of Stage Combat. Think Les Liaison Dangerous and the works of Richard Brinesley Sheridan. The fencing Salon vs. the reality of the duel, with a little ballet footwork thrown in. (This workshop is suitable for beginning actors or advanced)

“If a fight is to be exciting, believable and yet safe, everyone involved should be aware……that while aggression generated on stage or before the camera should appear to be real to the audience, those watching should only ever believe that the characters are in danger, never the performers.” -Keith Ducklin and John Waller – Worldwide Acclaimed Stage Combat Instructors.

Geoffrey Alm
Fight Master | Certified Teacher | Choreographer

Geoffrey Alm studied in England with John Waller at the Drama Studio in 1977, in the summer of that year he passed the British Society of Fight Directors Certification test, adjudicated by William Hobbs. He has been teaching SAFD certification in Seattle since 1988, was a member of the 1st Teacher Certification class in 1987, and now teaches Stage Fighting at the Professional Actor's Training Program, for the University of Washington, as well as Cornish College for the Arts, Freehold Theatre Lab, and The Studios. In 1997 he was awarded the title of Fight Director. He has directed fights for over 300 Equity productions since 1986, locally as well as nationally. Regional credits include The Shakespeare Theatre, The Old Globe, McCarter Theatre, Kansas City Rep, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Cincinnati Playhouse, The Lincoln Center, Huntington Theatre Co., Arizona Theatre Company, and Montana Rep. Local credits include, Seattle Children's Theatre, Seattle Rep, Seattle Opera, 5th Avenue Theatre, A Contemporary Theatre, Village Theatre, Intiman Theatre Company, Seattle Public Theatre, Taproot Theatre Co., and Seattle Shakespeare Co. He is a proud Member of AEA, AFTRA-SAG, and SDC. Geof strives to bring a sense of curiosity and confidence to fight work, directing and empowering those he teaches to adeptly and effectively integrate their skill with the sword into their storytelling.

Richard Padro | Admiral Theatre Producing Artistic Director

Bremerton's Admiral Theatre Foundation and Producing Artistic Director Richard Padro proudly present new stage acting courses coming in 2024. Richard is a theatre arts educator, producer, actor and director with extensive stage, television and film credits. He has directed and produced children’s theatre, university theatre, and the award-winning television program, In The Public Interest, a documentary exploring the role of public broadcasting for children’s educational programming. He received his MFA in Acting from UC Irvine and his BA in Theatre Arts from SUNY New Paltz. He has taught acting and stagecraft and has interned at several theatre companies including the acclaimed South Coast Repertory. He acted as Director of Theatre Education for Coyote Rep in New York City, The Admiral Theatre Foundation in Bremerton, WA, Program Director for the Young Artists Theatre Camp at Icicle Creek Center for the Arts in Leavenworth WA, and was involved in the initial New York launch of StageCoach Theatre Arts, Brooklyn Heights in 2004, where he also acted as CEO and Artistic Director for five years. He is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild and Actors Equity Association.

Stage Combat Workshop for Actors: Unarmed (Hand to Hand) and Swordplay
**Each session is limited to 12 actors / To register, click “Purchase Class” above to pay tuition and then scroll to bottom of this page to register.
Monday, April 15th, 2024
Two Sessions:
High School Students | Ages 14-18 | 4:30-6 p.m.
Adults | Ages 19 & Up | 6:30-8 p.m.
Class Tuition: $55 (incl. fees)

Every play or film seems to have something - a slap, a push, a fall, a struggle. Come learn the theatrical basics of unarmed combat and swordplay, along with SAFE ways to execute what is asked of the actor. We will cover the basics of this fighting style with an emphasis on safety, good partnering, and acting the action! This is a must-know for every actor, and yes, it’s great fun! Emphasis on safety, good partnering, acting the action, and a focus on intimacy technique as it applies to stage fighting. Swordplay will explore techniques of Single Sword, and how we adapt it to the theatricality of Stage Combat. Think Les Liaison Dangerous and the works of Richard Brinesley Sheridan. The fencing Salon vs. the reality of the duel, with a little ballet footwork thrown in. (This workshop is suitable for beginning actors or advanced)

“If a fight is to be exciting, believable and yet safe, everyone involved should be aware……that while aggression generated on stage or before the camera should appear to be real to the audience, those watching should only ever believe that the characters are in danger, never the performers.” -Keith Ducklin and John Waller – Worldwide Acclaimed Stage Combat Instructors.

Geoffrey Alm
Fight Master | Certified Teacher | Choreographer

Geoffrey Alm studied in England with John Waller at the Drama Studio in 1977, in the summer of that year he passed the British Society of Fight Directors Certification test, adjudicated by William Hobbs. He has been teaching SAFD certification in Seattle since 1988, was a member of the 1st Teacher Certification class in 1987, and now teaches Stage Fighting at the Professional Actor's Training Program, for the University of Washington, as well as Cornish College for the Arts, Freehold Theatre Lab, and The Studios. In 1997 he was awarded the title of Fight Director. He has directed fights for over 300 Equity productions since 1986, locally as well as nationally. Regional credits include The Shakespeare Theatre, The Old Globe, McCarter Theatre, Kansas City Rep, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Cincinnati Playhouse, The Lincoln Center, Huntington Theatre Co., Arizona Theatre Company, and Montana Rep. Local credits include, Seattle Children's Theatre, Seattle Rep, Seattle Opera, 5th Avenue Theatre, A Contemporary Theatre, Village Theatre, Intiman Theatre Company, Seattle Public Theatre, Taproot Theatre Co., and Seattle Shakespeare Co. He is a proud Member of AEA, AFTRA-SAG, and SDC. Geof strives to bring a sense of curiosity and confidence to fight work, directing and empowering those he teaches to adeptly and effectively integrate their skill with the sword into their storytelling.

Richard Padro | Admiral Theatre Producing Artistic Director

Bremerton's Admiral Theatre Foundation and Producing Artistic Director Richard Padro proudly present new stage acting courses coming in 2024. Richard is a theatre arts educator, producer, actor and director with extensive stage, television and film credits. He has directed and produced children’s theatre, university theatre, and the award-winning television program, In The Public Interest, a documentary exploring the role of public broadcasting for children’s educational programming. He received his MFA in Acting from UC Irvine and his BA in Theatre Arts from SUNY New Paltz. He has taught acting and stagecraft and has interned at several theatre companies including the acclaimed South Coast Repertory. He acted as Director of Theatre Education for Coyote Rep in New York City, The Admiral Theatre Foundation in Bremerton, WA, Program Director for the Young Artists Theatre Camp at Icicle Creek Center for the Arts in Leavenworth WA, and was involved in the initial New York launch of StageCoach Theatre Arts, Brooklyn Heights in 2004, where he also acted as CEO and Artistic Director for five years. He is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild and Actors Equity Association.