Workshop Date: Monday, January 15, 2024

Throughout the works of Shakespeare, words often lead to violence. In these instances, it is of utmost importance that we learn how to keep ourselves and others safe while telling explosive physical stories. In this three hour workshop, we’ll learn some fundamentals of stage combat; explore how the performance of choreography changes when applied to various Shakespearean plots; and find joy in the process!

Instructors

Chris Smith is a Jeff Nominated fight director, actor, and swordmaker who was born and raised in Chicago. Chris is also an Advanced Actor Combatant with the SAFD. Chris is a Founding Ensemble Member of Midsommer Flight and the company’s Resident Fight Director. With Midsommer Flight, he has appeared in Romeo & Juliet (Tybalt/ Fight Captain), Much Ado About Nothing (Don Pedro/Fight Captain), Macbeth (Macduff/ Fight Captain), and Twelfth Night (Toby/ Fight Choreographer).  When he isn’t fight directing, he can be found making stage weapons at Rogue Steel or working behind the scenes on film here in Chicago. Chris is excited to be working with everyone on Actor’s Flight!

Maureen Yasko is a Chicago based Jeff-Nominated fight director, intimacy director, actor, musician, and teaching artist. Also known as Moe, she serves as Midsommer Flight’s Resident Intimacy Director and Associate Fight Director. Maureen is a Certified Teacher with the SAFD and her intimacy training is through IDC and TIE. She holds a BA in Theatre, music minor from Georgia Southern–Armstrong; apprenticed with Atlanta Shakespeare Company; is an artistic affiliate of Babes With Blades; and tours schools performing Shakespeare with A Crew of Patches. When not creating in a theatre, you’ll likely find Moe teaching in a studio (or online) as a Certified Yoga Instructor.