STAGE COMBAT: BASIC BRAWLING AND BLADES FOR STAGE with Graham Banville
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Instructor:
Graham Banville
Details:
Saturday, April 18th, 2026 from 1pm - 5pm
(4 hours)
For ages 14 and up.
Minimum 6 participants, Maximum 10 participants.
Location:
Innisfil IdeaLAB and Library, Cookstown Branch
(in the Cookstown Library and Community Centre Hall)
Cost: $95 per person
(Register by April 11, 2026 – Registration instructions below)
About the Workshop:
Drama is about conflict and stories often take this conflict to a physical place. Actors must know how to navigate acted aggression and violence in a way that is safe, repeatable, and consensual, in either a dramatic or a comedic performance.
This workshop will introduce participants to the foundational techniques and safety rules used in fight choreography to create the illusion of violence. This workshop will be divided into two parts:
Basic Brawling will explore how we perform unarmed violence with safety, story, and style. Learn the common “asks” of violence for stage (slaps, punches, kicks, and pulls).
Blades for Stage will introduce us to the fundamentals of swordsmanship. Learn to cut and thrust, parry and riposte with real steel while remaining relaxed and in control of a dynamic sword duel.
What to Bring/Wear:
Comfortable clothes that allow for movement, and indoor shoes
A water bottle
A pair of gloves for use with swords (eg. light gardening or work gloves)
A notebook and pen/pencil in case you want to make any notes
To Register:
Registration is first come first served. Please send an email to education@thesouthsimcoetheatre.com with your full name, confirmation that you are 14+, email and a cell phone number. Once your registration is confirmed by return email, you may send your $95 via e-transfer to boxoffice@thesouthsimcoetheatre.com REGISTRATION CLOSES ON APRIL 11, 2026. All participants will be required to sign a waiver before participating and this will be sent upon receipt of payment.
Meet your Instructor - Graham Banville
Graham is an actor and choreographer from Barrie, Ontario. He holds a degree in Drama from Queen's University and is a certified Actor-Combatant with Fight Directors Canada. He is also a member of Toronto Historical Combatants where he trains in competitive historical fencing. Some of his first performances as an actor were at The South Simcoe Theatre during his teenage years and he continues to act. Recent credits include The Winter's Tale with Theatre Georgian Bay's 2025 summer production.
As a violence designer, he has choreographed fights for productions including: The Pirates of Penzance (Kincardine Theatre Guild), Don't Dress for Dinner (Blackhorse Village Players), I Hate Hamlet (The South Simcoe Theatre), and Romeo and Juliet (Theatre Georgian Bay).
