A History of Contemporary Stage Combat chronicles the development of stage combat from the origins of the Society of British Fight Directors in 1969 to the modern day.
Featuring interviews with some of the pioneers of this art form, the book analyzes how stage combat developed in response to the needs of the industry and the changing social mores in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, the European Continent, Australia, and New Zealand. It also explores the quality of theatrical weaponry, as well as outcropping of stage combat such as intimacy design and theatrical jousting.
A History of Contemporary Stage Combat is an excellent resource for actors, directors, stage combatants, theatre historians, and anyone with a love of action on stage and film.
Introduction 1. What is Stage Combat? What is a Fight Director? 2. Patrick "Paddy" Crean 3. Stage Combat in the UK: The Start of a New Era and the Growth of an Art Form 4. Stage Combat in the United States 5. Stage Combat in Canada 6. Stage Combat in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand 7. Outgrowths of Stage Combat 8. Tools of the Trade Appendix Bibliography Index
Biography
Brian LeTraunik is a professional actor, director, educator, and fight director. He is a Certified Teacher of Stage Combat with the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD), and an Assistant Professor of Theatre at Lamar University in Beaumont, TX.
