Virginia Stage Combat School is central Virginia's only private stage combat instruction available outside of a university setting. This allows us to accept non-students from all walks of life. We offer training for actors, directors, stunt performers, and martial artists.
Stage combat is the art of creating the illusion of violence for the sake of the audience, while allowing the actions to be safely repeatable for the run of the show.
With Casual Classes once a week and many more structured course offerings, VSCS offers a wide variety of choices to the would be actor-combatant. Whether your interest lies in fighting your way through The Three Musketeers as D'Artagnan, making sure your Sweeny Todd doesn't decapitate his fellow actors, or defending yourself from flesh-eating zombies; VSCS has something to offer you.
Stage combat is the art of creating the illusion of violence for the sake of the audience, while allowing the actions to be safely repeatable for the run of the show.
With Casual Classes once a week and many more structured course offerings, VSCS offers a wide variety of choices to the would be actor-combatant. Whether your interest lies in fighting your way through The Three Musketeers as D'Artagnan, making sure your Sweeny Todd doesn't decapitate his fellow actors, or defending yourself from flesh-eating zombies; VSCS has something to offer you.
Why "Stage" Combat?
For many years the art of Stage Combat has provided an experience to millions of theater-goers all over the nation unlike any other. They have been able to witness acts of violence perpetrated on characters they have come to understand, love, or hate. This act, regardless of intensity, should be repeatable for every performance from the first rehearsal though closing night.
VSCS follows this guideline for every show and brings a seamless transition from action to combat back into action for your scenes. There should never be a situation of injury for a play. Ever. Even a simple slap or fall can cause extraordinary injury. VSCS would encourage no one to "just hit them."
And besides, think how mad your costume designer would be if Hamlet bled on his costume.
If you have need for theatrical violence on stage or film in Central Virginia, please don't hesitate to contact us. There is a way to do precisely what you want, without exposing your actors to danger, and yourself to that liability.
For more information, email us: info@vastagecombat.com
Instructors
Aaron Orensky - Director
CV and Resume
Aaron has been studying Stage Combat for over seventeen years with various organizations, gaining the rank of Fight Director with Art of Combat, AAC with the SAFD, and Journeyman Stuntman with the United Stuntmen’s Association. Aaron has been teaching and participating in workshops around the world. He has worked on productions ranging from the Lucretzia Borgia with The Washington National Opera at Kennedy Center, to The Kerry Anne Kennaly Challenge on Channel Nine in Sydney, NSW, to The Three Musketeers in Volunteer Park in Seattle, WA.
Emily Turner - Lead Instructor
CV and Resume
Emily has been training in movement for over two decades and teaching nearly as long. She has traveled extensively, training with masters from around the globe. She has taught and studied at multiple workshops from previous Paddy Creans, to The Shenandoah Project, to the Art of Combat NYC Intensives. Emily has worked with organizations including Art of Combat, Sydney Stage Combat, and the IOS&P. She has been in multiple local productions where she has showcased her combat skills, from pummeling Storm Troopers as Princess Leia in the musical parody Refrain of the Jedi, to the gritty, real-world violence of the world premier of The Joshua Plant.