Stage Fighting Workshop

Stage Fighting Workshops at Theatre NorthWest with Thomas Usher, MFA (Director/Fight Director/Instructor)

September 10   Stage combat 10am – 2:30pm

  • (30 minute break – lunch not provided)
  • Participants should come ready to move – meaning gym friendly clothing and shoes
  • Absolutely no jewelry
  • This workshop is for beginners, people who want a refresher, or who have no training
  • $25 (accessible rate) $50 (general admission)

September 11   Sword Fighting 10am – 2:30pm

  • (30 minute break – lunch not provided)
  • Participants should come ready to move – meaning gym friendly clothing and shoes
  • Absolutely no jewelry
  • Swords are provided
  • $25 (accessible rate) $50 (general admission)

September 11   Directors talking to designers 3:30pm – 5:30pm

  • $25 (accessible rate) $50 (general admission)
Register here

Instructor Bio

Thomas Usher, MFA

“Art is not a mirror held up to reality, but a hammer with which to shape it.”
– Brecht
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.
As founding Artistic Director of Prime Stock Theatre (1994-2021), Thomas strove to champion Alberta and Canadian plays, having produced more than 20 NEW works including Ohcîwin, Mad Cow Cabaret, Resonance, The Miss Hobbema Beauty Pageant, Wildcat! and Sad Victoria’s Pelican Day (with Bryce Kulak).  With BARD on BOWER he has directed 20+ productions of Shakespeare including: Hamlet, Henry V, MacBeth, Taming of the Shrew, Comedy of Errors, Romeo & Juliet, Julius Caesar, Twelfth Night and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. 
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.
“Theatre can help us build our future, rather than just waiting for it.”
– Augusto Boal