Art of Combat Testimonials

The NYC Art of Combat workshop was a great learning experience and great for my resume. While attending the workshop my theater company asked me to do a show that involved stage combat. The timing couldn't have been any more perfect!
Best Regards, Nastasha Strang

Art of Combat was highly recommended to members of Loretto School’s drama staff who attended a workshop by one of the UK’s leading fight directors at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival.

Paul Macdonald’s preparation was meticulous. He familiarized himself with the unusual in-the-round set layout, fully incorporated complex timing to music and responded flexibly to staging and direction requirements. In addition, his extensive experience and understanding of the dramatic impact we were looking for meant that he brought many creative ideas to the rehearsals, which greatly added to the overall quality of the production.

The interaction of Paul Macdonald and his assistants with the young cast was excellent and a disciplined, productive and good-humoured atmosphere was maintained at all times. The team became fully involved in rehearsals and performances and such was the positive response to the whole process that we have now incorporated workshops by Art of Combat into our Expressive Arts programme.

Loretto School
Edinburgh

Click here to see what the Lansing State Journal wrote about our work on Lansing Community College's production of Romeo and Juliet

"As the Education Director of the Boarshead Theater, I work with several public schools in the Lansing area. I have used the Art of Combat group several times to teach combat basics to high school students. Teachers and students alike have been very satisfied with the group's work. They understand students very well and really show them a good time while teaching them at the same time. "

"The Art of Combat has been involved with and provided instructors for: Drama Day 99 (high school workshops), Stage Combat classes, and last year's Combat seminar, which included instructors from around the world. The Art of Combat has provided excellent training for our students and fight choreography for our productions."

"I'm writing to thank your crew for the work you did on our production of 'Two Buffalo Fight". Without the vivid fight scenes, and even the comic violence, the show would not have had the impact it did. That was due entirely to the excellent work of Art of Combat. I was impressed with how you worked with actors of varying athletic skill to produce thoroughly spectacular and above all, very realistic fight scenes.

Sincerely, G. L. Blanchard
Writer/Director
Jackson Civic Theatre

"Thanks so much to your crew for sharing your expertise with the young people in All-Of-Us-Express Children's Theatre. As always, I find your teaching style matches the atmosphere of support and caring of young people that we try to create. Having seen the end result of your work, I know that they are learning invaluable lessons that include not only the fundamentals of stage combat, but also treating others with care and respect; moving with confidence; and working as a team.

Sincerely yours,
Evelyn Weymouth
Executive Director
All-Of-Us-Express Children's Theatre

"I've been meaning to let you know how much your assistance with the short fight scene and violence in "The Runner Stumbles" enhanced the intensity of the show. It was also assuring to know that by using your techniques the actors felt confident and safe during their scenes although the audience sometimes let out a collective gasp! What amazed me was the way you were able to teach the actors in such a short period of time.

"Well, two classes competed against each other and there was no question that the students who studied the (Art of Combat) tape were the better of the two fights we saw. You have been the most helpful person I have ever had to work with with regards to assisting teachers."

"Your presentations were superb! They impressed, entertained and educated my students greatly. Academic discussion is no substitute for seeing this sort of thing in action.

As you know, my own historical specialty is the Middle Ages... you've illuminated a whole dimension of art history to me! The art you are preserving has historical and academic, as well as entertainment, value."

Paul Crawford
Assistant Professor of History
California University of Pennsylvania