STAGE COMBAT 101

IT'S TIME FOR A DIFFERENT APPROACH

Queer. Feminist. Trauma informed. This is not your average stage combat class. Led by fight director Julie Ouellette (they/she), this class will allow students to explore the building blocks of safe and effective stage combat in a fun and supportive environment.

UPCOMING

FEBRUARY 2024

MONDAYS

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Feb 5, 12, 19 and 26th

East Hollywood, CA

All sessions are four weeks long

All classes are 90 minutes.

SLIDING SCALE

TIER 1: $400

This is the full rate of $100 per class for all 4 weeks.

QTBIPOC: $95

This pricing to relieve financial burden for QTBIPOC students.

TIER 2: $250

Reduced rate for low-income folks who can't afford full class sprice.

SCHOLARSHIPS

A limited number of scholarships are available. Inquire below!

Payment plans available 💸

ABOUT ME

I'm a multi-hyphenate storyteller committed to building safer spaces for marginalized artists by fighting for authentic representation, accessibility, and systemic racial equity in the entertainment industry.

As a fight director, I prioritize the physical and emotional safety of everyone in the room with a consent-driven, trauma-informed approach. My background as an actor and director helps me create fight choreography with storytelling at the forefront.

You can also check out my resume here.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

This is not your average theatrical combat class. Don't get me wrong, you're going to learn a lot of combat techniques. We'll cover a ton of basics: footwork, falling, pushing, punching, slapping, smacking, kicking – maybe even a little choking if you're feeling spicy.

But we're going way deeper than that. We'll use these physical techniques as a vehicle to explore the things that take a combatant from good to great:

Partnering Techniques
Spacial & Body Awareness
Breath & Body Connection
Storytelling Through Combat

At the end of the day, my goal is to turn you into your Fight Director's favorite actor. The one who just gets it. I want you to show up on set or at rehearsal ready to kick ass and create story. 💪

FAQs

DO I HAVE TO BE QUEER TO TAKE THIS CLASS?
Nope! You just have to understand that you're entering a Queer space. That means it's a space where Queerness is celebrated, Queer voices are empowered, and Queer joy will be on full display. We will welcome you with open arms and expect you to do the same.

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING TO CLASS?

Dress for this class like you're going to the gym: athletic pants or shorts, a t-shirt or tank top, good supportive sneakers, and a bottle of water. Your clothing should be comfortable, easy to move in, and should show the line of your body. Avoid clothing that is too flowy or baggy. You may also want to bring a small sweat towel and a yoga mat if you want extra padding for floor work during warm ups.

If you don't have access to any of these things, please reach out using the contact form below so we can help you source them!

WHAT KIND OF STAGE COMBAT IS THIS?
Our focus is hand-to-hand combat (aka: unarmed), but many of the techniques you'll learn will be directly applicable to any weapons you want to learn down the road: single sword, broadsword, quarterstaff, knife — even theatrical firearms. It's all rooted in this foundational work.

WHAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE DO I NEED?
Absolutely none. This class is designed for beginners and will be a safe space to start developing a relationship with your body, how it moves through space, and how we can use it to tell story. We'll start from the bottom and work our way up.

I HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE. CAN I COME TOO?
Hell yeah! This class is built for beginners, but it's also a great place for more experienced combatants to revisit foundational techniques, strengthen partnering and storytelling skills, and experience combat in a trauma-informed environment. If you're intermediate or advanced, I would recommend enrolling alongside a buddy with a similar skill-level to keep you challenged during partner work.

WHAT IF I HAVE A PHYSICAL DISABILITY?
This class is designed to be an inclusive space – and that includes people with both visible and invisible physical disabilities. Mobility aids are welcome in class. Choreography and techniques will be adjusted to be right for your body. If you have any questions or concerns about accommodations, don't hesitate to reach out using the contact form below.

WHAT AGE IS THIS CLASS FOR?
All participants must be 18 or older. There is no upper age limit.

JULIE OUELLETTE