“Introduction to Theatrical Violence” teaches the art of safe, consensual fighting

Interested in game fighting? Fake blood, sword fighting and chokeholds? Take a look inside one of Yale's most unique course offerings.

Baala Shakya

11:02 p.m., Oct. 29, 2024

Contributing reporter

Tim Tai, senior photographer

College students with knives? This course might make you do a double take.

“Introduction to Theatrical Violence,” registered as Theater 200 and co-taught by Professors Kelsey Rainwater and Michael Rossmy, is one of many unique courses offered this semester by the Department of Theater, Dance and Performance Studies.

However, the course may be the only one on CourseTable that includes knives, fake blood and fights between Yale students – even if they are choreographed.

“The course is a physical exploration of theater techniques, so the concepts for the lesson plans are based on what we have experienced and worked on in the field as fight directors,” Rainwater said.

According to the curriculum, the concepts taught in the class are aimed at improving students' understanding of their physical movements, with an emphasis on the execution of unarmed combat and knife fighting. These techniques prepare actors to create and execute illusions of violence – both safely and effectively.

Rossmy added that the class is organized so that students can explore a specific aspect of fighting in each class, such as contact points, footwork and proper stance.

“[We aim] to give students a basic understanding of what it means to actively engage with these techniques to tell specific stories,” Rossmy said.

From choreographing knife work to imagining how their characters would fight, students' homework includes unusual tasks to promote theoretical and practical engagement with theatrical violence.

According to Rainwater and Rossmy, one of their favorite parts of the coursework is teaching students how to make their own stage blood – which is actually used in the choreographed fights between students.

However, fun aside, the focus of this course is the importance of safety during on-site combat.

“In many plays, the climax of a show involves some sort of stage combat,” Rossmy said. “[Performers must] adjust to your own body and that of your scene partners; Make sure they can work together to protect each other while also being part of the narrative of each moment.”

Like any other Yale course, the course also includes typical assessments and a midterm where students can reflect on their learning.

Most recently, the midterm included a series of intense moves, from punches to blocks to chokeholds to throwing against the wall, said Ken Huynh '25, a student in the class.

Huynh said when he first received the midterm exam, it seemed “impossible” to take it. However, with the help of Professors Rossmy and Rainwater, he managed to slowly wind down the performance.

“Even though it's a fake battle, sometimes it feels real when it comes to how the energy moves in the body, which is what we always focus on,” Huynh said. “Because we have to generate and reduce energy in rapid succession, it is actually very tiring! My partner and I were sweating like crazy after our fight scenes.”

While students are expected to perform intense actions and movements, “Introduction to Theatrical Violence” also teaches students the basics of consent.

“[Professor Rainwater and I] are both intimacy directors and fight directors,” Rossmy said. “Because consent can change from day to day and moment to moment, we enable students to work the way they want. If changes are requested based on a student’s needs, we will make them.”

It's no surprise that “Introduction to Theatrical Violence” is popular with students, as active studio instruction can break up the monotony of lectures and seminars. According to professors Rainwater and Rossmy, the class, which enrolls only 14 students, receives more applications than it can accommodate.

Huynh is one of the students who will take the skills learned in this course to the stage.

Huynh noted that learning different types of fighting moves and then executing them at high speed in an orchestrated sequence contributed significantly to his repertoire as a talented actor.

“I chose this course because it sounded super cool and because I'm interested in working professionally as an actor in the future. It’s a valuable skill that I always have with me in case I need it for performances,” said Huynh.

While the professors gave priority to theater majors and those with theater backgrounds, they said they always end up with “one or two majors in physics, cognitive science, and English majors” that “bring so much excitement and unique perspectives to the class.” .

Students who wish to deepen their experience can take a second course entitled “Advanced Topics in Theatrical Violence,” in which they will learn how to use swords and staves theatrically.

Professors hope that students will leave the class with greater confidence and confidence, equipped with the critical skills needed to tell stories on stage as confidently and truthfully as possible.

The course culminates in a capstone video project in which students apply the skills learned to plan, write, and shoot a depiction of theatrical violence on screen.

This course is held on the fifth floor of Payne Whitney Gymnasium.