UCA THEATRE STUDENTS EARN STAGE COMBAT CERTIFICATION

Participants in the Society of American Fight Directors training

Fourteen people associated with the University of Central Arkansas Theatre Program recently earned skills proficiency certifications in unarmed combat through the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD).

Participants came to campus over the winter break to complete more than 30 hours of training in unarmed stage combat techniques taught by certified stage combat instructors David Sterritt and Jessica Bennett of Atlanta.

After 30 hours of training, students completed a performance test. The certification test required stage combat techniques for safety, theatrical commitment and believability within a dramatic context. SAFD Fight Master Mark “Rat” Guinn adjudicated.

Those earning certifications included Zoe Allison (UCA senior), Emily Bruner (community member), Taylor Fulgham (senior), Chris Fritzges (professor), Ryan Green (senior), Augustine Nguyen (junior), Micah Patterson (sophomore), Moriah Patterson (community member), Cameron Sellers (sophomore), Levi Smith (senior), Will Stephan (junior), Harrison Trigg (alumnus), Xander Udochi (alumnus) and Brynn Woods (senior).

For more information, contact Melissa Pearson, UCA Theatre business manager, at 501-450-5092 or melissap@uca.edu.

The UCA College of Fine Arts and Communication includes the Departments of Art; Film, Theatre and Creative Writing and Music, as well as the School of Communication. The college’s primary mission is the preparation of the next generation of artists, educators and communicators. For more information about CFAC, visit www.uca.edu/cfac or call 501-450-3293.