Theatrical (stage) combat is a broad term that covers acts of conflict, danger and/or violence performed for entertainment. A slap to the face, a fall down some stairs, an epic fifteen-person battle with swords and axes – all of these are stage combat. More than just choreography, stage combat uses violence to tell a story, and should be respected as any other design element.

The Society of American Fight Directors is an internationally-recognized nonprofit organization promoting the safe and effective dramatization of violence in the entertainment industry. As the foremost organization of theatrical combat in the country, our members build community, champion sustainability, and inspire innovation in violent storytelling on stages and sets.

Fight Directors with an SAFD endorsement have significant experience choreographing for venues that operate in conjunction with established entertainment unions and are expected to lead collaborative, consent-forward creative processes.

To hire a Fight Director, check out our Member Directory and select the rank filter “Fight Director”.

Certified Teachers (CT) have gone through a rigorous training and evaluation process, and have been vetted by the SAFD as safe and effective experts at teaching the SAFD weapon disciplines. The SAFD stands behind these teachers and publicly endorses their expertise. Additionally, CTs are the only teachers whose students may take an SAFD Skills Proficiency Test (or Renewal).

Check out our Member Directory and select the rank filter “Certified Teacher”, or make use of our Find a Class feature on the Training page.

The SAFD offers its members opportunities to study, train, network, and share their love of all things relating to stage combat. Check out our member benefits here.

Anyone may create a profile on the SAFD website, which will be used to record their skills proficiency test history. Active dues-paying members have the option to publicly display their profile and be discovered through a member directory search.

A Skills Proficiency Test is the culmination of extended training with an SAFD Certified Teacher. After at least 30 hours of training with a CT in a particular weapon, students may perform a staged fight in that discipline before an SAFD adjudicator. If the student’s work meets the SAFD’s criteria for safety and dramatic effectiveness, the student may be recognized with a certificate of proficiency.

A student may renew their prior certification through a Skills Proficiency Renewal (SPR), a condensed version of the original test they underwent. 

The SAFD formally trains in eight disciplines: Unarmed, Rapier & Dagger, Two-Handed Sword, Single Sword, Smallsword, Sword & Shield, Staff, and Knife. These eight are the only weapons in which SPTs are recognized; however, individual teachers may offer classes in other disciplines. 

Through its Theatrical Firearms Safety Instructors, the SAFD provides training in the nomenclature, practices, and procedures for prop gun use, including blank firearms. Students who pass the Theatrical Firearms Safety Test will receive a certificate denoting their knowledge and demonstration of safety protocols.

The National Stage Combat Workshop (NSCW) is the SAFD’s flagship workshop, where all levels of stage combat students gather for intensive training with SAFD Certified Teachers, Fight Directors, and Fight Masters. Lasting 3 weeks and held each summer, the NSCW gives participants the opportunity to test and renew in SAFD weapon disciplines, work with highly experienced professionals in the field, and expand and strengthen their industry network of mentors and peers.

The Expand, Educate, Empower (EEE) Program is sponsored by the Society of American Fight Directors and hosted by a variety of partner organizations. To both diversify the field of stage combat and promote social equity, EEE provides at least 30 hours of training in one of the SAFD weapon disciplines from a Certified Teacher to underserved communities, culminating in a Skills Proficiency Test.

Organizations interested in partnering with the SAFD on a EEE Initiative should read more here.

Yes! We offer multiple scholarships to the NSCW and through participating Regional Workshops. We also operate a grant-funded program called Expand, Educate, Empower (EEE), which allows external partner organizations to apply for sponsored training.

Actor Combatants (AC) are active SAFD members with proficiency in multiple weapon disciplines. There are three AC ranks, based on the number and type of proficiencies:

• Actor Combatant – Unarmed, either Single Sword or Rapier & Dagger, and any other discipline
• Intermediate Actor Combatant – an AC with at least six passes, three of which are with recommendation
• Advanced Actor Combatant – an IAC with all passes, four of which are with recommendation

Students undergoing Skills Proficiency Tests may receive a pass, either with proficiency or recommendation. The criteria distinguishing these passes are enumerated within the Policies and Procedures.

Becoming a Certified Teacher requires acceptance and successful completion of the Teacher Certification Workshop (TCW). These individuals are endorsed by the Society to teach staged combat, specifically Skills Proficiency Tests and Skills Proficiency Renewals. The TCW is a comprehensive evaluation for certification, held at the National Stage Combat Workshop. An applicant for the Teacher Certification Workshop must fulfill the requirements as enumerated in the SAFD’s Policies and Procedures.

Becoming a Fight Director requires amassing a significant number of professional credits as a fight director/choreographer and securing the support of colleagues and employers. These individuals are endorsed by the Society to direct and choreograph incidents of physical violence. An applicant for Fight Director status must fulfill the requirements as enumerated in the SAFD’s Policies and Procedures.

To hire a Fight Director, check out our Member Directory and select the rank filter “Fight Director”.

A Fight Master is an individual who demonstrates the highest standards of professional excellence, renders substantial service, and is reputed as a leader in the field of stage combat and theatrical violence. The rank of Fight Master is the highest honor in our discipline, and is awarded through the nomination process enumerated in the Policies and Procedures.