Toronto Theatrical Stage Combat and Fight Choreography

Fight Director and Fight Choreographer Daniel Levinson

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What's New - Classes and Events

Theatrical Stage Combat Classes

Unless otherwise noted, all of our classes take place at the Rapier Wit Studio. Rapier Wit is one block south of King Street and just west of Bathurst Street. Wellington is a one-way street going west, and the Rapier Wit studio is the third unit in the second building on the south (left) side. We're easy to spot from the street, being the only people in the neighbourhood with a big ol' rapier painted on our garage door! We are accessible by Bathurst and King streetcars. Parking is available in front of the studio if you're early, or nearby on Wellington Street. Local landmarks: The Wheat Sheaf pub, Waddington's Auction House, Factory Theatre.

Please note that our minimum age for class participation is 18; we will consider admitting younger students only on a case-by-case basis.

 
Classes and Workshops at Rapier Wit

The Rapier Wit

PAL*/Stage and Screen Firearms Workshop

February 4 - 5 and 12, 2012 at the Rapier Wit Studio

*Possession Acquisition License

This is a ‘must’ course for actors, directors, and stage managers. Its depth and focus on the entertainment industry make it the only one of its kind in Ontario. For liability and safety reasons, it is best practice for all theatre companies to have a licensed PAL holder on staff if firearms or replica firearms are being used in a production. Rapier Wit’s Possession and Acquisition License Course will give participants the opportunity to earn their firearm licenses while training in safe and effective performance techniques for stage and film. This unique course takes three days to complete with over twenty hours of training and testing in non-restricted, restricted firearms, and prohibited devices.

Instructors

PAL course (days 1 & 2) taught by Canadian Firearms Safety Course Instructor Kostas Kapothanasis.

Stage and screen practical class (day 3) taught by PAL-certified FDC Fight Master Daniel Levinson.

Class Dates and Times

PAL Session:

Saturday Feb 4, 2012, 9 AM to 7 PM (PAL day 1)

Sunday Feb 5, 2012, 9 AM to 7 PM (PAL day 2, inc. exam - end time will vary according to student)

Stage/Screen Firearms Practical Day:

Sunday Feb 12, 2012, 10 AM to 3 PM

Fees

Member rate for PAL days + practical day (for members of Rapier Wit, FDC, CAEA and ACTRA): $392.03 CDN inc. HST ($220 + $172.03)

*Note: member rate may only be applied if fee is paid in full by Monday, January 23, 2012.

Regular rate for PAL days + practical day: $516.33 CDN inc. HST ($220 + $296.03)

PAL days only: $300.50 CDN inc. HST ($220 + $80.50)

Practical day only: $148.03 CDN inc. HST

  • There is an additional $80 fee that must be paid directly to the Canadian Government for the Possession and Acquisition License. You do NOT have to bring this fee to the class. Instructions for paying it will be given during the course.
  • Please note that payment for this course is done in two parts. $220 is paid directly to Kostas Kapothanasis, who will issue you a personal receipt for that portion. The balance is to be paid separately to Rapier Wit.

What Tuition Covers

  • Restricted firearm textbook, training and testing
  • Non-restricted firearm textbook, training and testing
  • Stage and screen-specific training, including safety, aesthetics, choices in blank ammunition, performance scenarios, and experience firing blank ammunition with various theatrical firearms (a variety of longarms and handguns).
  • Ammunition for blank firing practice 

 

Notes

  • The PAL session is an intensive weekend which will cover both restricted and unrestricted firearms. There are 2 textbooks used for the class which must be picked up in advance so that students may familiarize themselves with the material before going into the session. Please call or e-mail Rapier Wit to arrange pickup of your textbooks. Shipping may also be arranged if pickup is not possible.
  • All classes take place at the Rapier Wit Studio, 575 Wellington St. West, Toronto.
  • Dates, times and instructors are subject to change, but reasonable notice is given whenever possible.
  • Space is limited to 10 places per PAL session. A $100 non-refundable deposit is required in order to hold a place in the class.
  • We accept cash, cheques, e-mail bank transfers, or debit/credit via PayPal. Fees are payable in Canadian funds.

 

Have questions? Want to register? Give us a call at 416-534-1947, or send an e-mail to danielatrapierwitdotcom.

 

 

 

Rapier Wit's

 Winter 2012 Intermediate Stage Combat Certification Intensive

at the Rapier Wit Studio

January 8 - 22, 2012

Kick-start the new year with a skill-building, soul-enriching stage combat intensive at Rapier Wit, Canada’s oldest continuous stage combat school. Join a Rapier Wit class and start improving your physical acting technique immediately in a safe, supportive and fun environment!

Over the course of this two-week Intermediate-level intensive some of Canada's best stage combat professionals will take students through training designed to help them grow as physical performers. Classes will focus on techniques for successfully creating the illusion of violence in combination with acting fundamentals. Participants will have the opportunity to test for Intermediate certification with Fight Directors Canada, Canada's only nation-wide and internationally-recognized stage combat association. The rigorously-developed FDC syllabus, known worldwide for its depth and quality, includes a wide range of industry-tested techniques taught by certified, experienced instructors.  Space is limited, so register early!

 

General notes

  • Students are welcome to take any class à la carte. However, in order to be eligible to test for Fight Directors Canada certification participants must take all disciplines at the desired level. Students certifying for Intermediate must already be fully certified at the FDC Basic level.
  • Certification package includes classes, exam training, all paperwork, and adjudication fees.

  • Learning to partner effectively is a key component of stage combat training. Please note that students are partnered for exams, and partner rehearsal time is necessary in order to prepare adequately for testing. Space is available at the Rapier Wit studio free of charge to students for rehearsal, and schedules can be worked out between partners according to what works best for both parties. Students wishing to pursue certification should bear in mind that in order for everyone to achieve the best possible results, it will be necessary for them to dedicate some time outside of regular classes to partner practice and to make a sincere effort to honour their commitments to their partners.

  • Examinations consist of a written component and a performance component. The written test will take place 1 to 3 days before the performance test, which is held on the last day of the workshop.
  • We are committed to helping our students achieve their goals and are always happy to answer questions. Feel free to call or e-mail us with whatever inquiries you have regarding certification, testing, time commitments, class schedules, stage combat disciplines, physical requirements, FDC...anything you want to know!
  • Times, dates and instructors are subject to change where absolutely necessary, but every effort will be made to give reasonable notice.

 

Class Dates and Times

The Intermediate Winter Intensive runs January 8 to 22, 2012. Classes are full days from 9 AM to 6 PM. There will be two days off during the Intensive period, January 13 and 19.

Syllabus: Rapier and Dagger, Small Sword, Broadsword, Eastern Unarmed

Class size: minimum 6, maximum 8.

Fees and Payment

Member rate: $452.00 per individual discipline, $367.25 per discipline for three classes or more

Non-member rate: $565.00 per individual discipline

Intermediate certification package: $1469.00 for members, $2260.00 for non-members

*Note: member rate may only be applied if fees are paid in full by December 10, 2011.

  • All prices include HST and are payable in Canadian funds.
  • A $100 deposit is required in order to hold a space in a class.
  • We accept cheques, credit cards (through PayPal), e-mail bank transfers and cash. Please note that there will be a 20.00 charge for NSF cheques.
  • Payment may be paid in $100 weekly installments, but full balance must be paid by the beginning of the workshop..
  • The term 'members' refers here to members of Rapier Wit, Fight Directors Canada (FDC), Canadian Actors' Equity Association (CAEA) and ACTRA.
  • As part of the certification process students must become members of Fight Directors Canada. Membership with Fight Directors Canada is $40 per year and is paid directly to FDC. Visit www.fdc.ca to become a member before signing up for classes and you'll save significantly on Rapier Wit class fees!

 

Have questions? Want to register? Call us at (416) 534-1947, or send an e-mail to danielatrapierwitdotcom.

 

 

Monday Open Technique Nights at the Rapier Wit Studio

Mondays, 7 PM to 10 PM

Monday Open Technique Nights for 2012 begin on January 9. Happy New Year!

 

A long-running Rapier Wit tradition, these ongoing Monday evening drop-in workshops are open to everyone. Each night is a complete class, and you are welcome to come as often as you like. Material covered is varied and tailored to the desires of those in attendance. This is a great opportunity to get a taste of stage combat, keep your skills up, or just unwind after a hard day! Evenings run from 7:00-10:00.* Classes run every Monday year-round, subject to instructor availability. If we have to cancel a Monday, we usually post a notice here in advance. However, if you're coming from afar and want to double-check that there will be a class, please feel free to call to confirm that the Monday you're planning to attend is running. As always, questions are welcome! For more information you can call us at 416-534-1947, or send an e-mail to danielATrapierwitDOTcom.

*If we do not have the minimum number of students by 7:30 PM the instructor may be released. If you are planning to arrive after 7:30, please give us a call at 416-534-1947 to let us know.

Master Mondays are specialized Monday evenings that feature Rapier Wit or guest instructors giving a three-hour overview of a particular technique or weapon. Descriptions of upcoming Master Mondays will be posted below, along with any training prerequisites that are preferred. As always, feel free to call or e-mail us with questions.

Fee: $10 for FDC and Rapier Wit members per evening, $15 for non-members; Master Mondays are $15 for FDC/RW members, $20 for non-members.

Prerequisites: No stage combat background required, unless otherwise stated for Master Mondays. Please come dressed for movement, with clean athletic footwear.

Instructors: Primary instructors for regular Monday nights are Daniel Levinson, Kevin Robinson and Christopher Mott.

 

Coming Up On Master Monday Open Technique Nights

 

We're in the midst of organizing our first Master Mondays of 2012. Check back here soon to see what we've got lined up for you!

 

Date: TBA

Time: TBA

Location: The Rapier Wit Studio (575 Wellington Street West, Toronto)

Skill level: All welcome

Fee: $15 for members, $20 for non-members (prices include HST)

Have questions? Give us a call at 416-534-1947, or send an e-mail to danielatrapierwitdotcom.

 

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