Sword Fighting Workshop with Thomas Usher

This workshop is designed as a refresher or entry level course into the basics of sword fighting for the stage. Participants should come ready to move, in gym friendly clothing and shoes. Absolutely no jewellery permitted. Please bring your own lunch. Training swords will be provided.

The workshop will run from 10:00am - 2:30pm. This workshop is being offered on a sliding scale to ensure it is accessible to as many interested participants as possible.

About the instructor: A professional director and performer, Thomas has been part of the Alberta Arts scene for 30+ years and has trained at the University of Alberta (MFA – Directing), Director’s Lab North (Toronto), the National Theatre in London and with Antonio Fava (Commedia Maestro) in Italy. At the Banff Centre, he has studied ‘intimacy direction’, Isadora theatrical projection and Shakespeare. Through Theatre Alberta Thomas has worked with Theatre Complicité and Punchdrunk Theatre. He has directed over 80 plays and performed in over 30 others.

Thomas has taught theatre since 1990 at colleges across the province, and confidently teaches Acting, Directing, Theatre History, Mask, Business of Theatre, Commedia and Stage Combat. At RDC he directed student productions of Major Barbara, Mad Forest, The Three Musketeers, The King is the King, RENT, Hay Fever, As You Like It and Bonjour, Lá, Bonjour amongst others. Also a certified Instructor/Adjudicator with Fight Directors’ Canada, Thomas is recipient of the 2007 Paddy Crean Award and has trained in the use of multiple weapons and styles. Under the guidance of some of the world’s best Fight Masters, Thomas is presently conversant with: unarmed, Rapier & Dagger/cape, Broadsword, Cutlass, Quarterstaff, sword & buckler, smallsword, single stick, and theatrical martial arts. Thomas is currently provincially ranked in competitive épée with the Alberta Fencing Association.