Classical Combat (New York)
Overview
This course is an unmissable opportunity to visit (or revisit) Classical Combat, looking at the technique of performance combat using classical weapons such as rapier and dagger.
The course runs over an intensive weekend at the LAMDA NYC studio in November 2025.
LAMDA alumni discount available. Learn more below.
Highlights
An opportunity to deepen and develop your craft in a rigorous and focused environment.
(Re)visit your technique, and connect with the storytelling of combat.
Connect with a like-minded community of classical actors in the heart of NYC.
Is this course for me?
Course Level: Professional
Age Requirement: 21+
Find all entry requirements below.
Location
In-person at our NYC Studio:
ART NY
520 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10018
USA
Course Fee
$290
LAMDA alumni discount available
Course Dates
Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 November 2025
Classes are 10am - 5:30pm (EST)
Application Deadline
Monday 10 November at 12pm (EST)
About the course
This immersive weekend course is an opportunity to unlock the vibrant potential of the combat and storytelling. Designed for professional working actors, students will participate in a series of dynamic exercises designed to engage the principles and techniques of classical stage combat.
You will work with classical weapons such as rapier and dagger.
LAMDA is the UK’s oldest drama school and has trained some of Britain’s (and the world’s) foremost actors, such as Benedict Cumberbatch, David Oyelowo, Brian Cox and Ruth Wilson. At the root of our teaching is the ethos of the ensemble – the belief that drama is a collaborative art form. As such, you’ll be encouraged to work and play together as a company, learning from and sharing with each other over this exciting weekend.
What will I learn?
- Learn to acquire believability and truth in your combat performance. You will focus on how a moment of action flows and tells a story. Whether punches are thrown or swords clash, the intent is telling the clearest and most dynamic story possible.
- During this course you will work specifically with rapier and dagger weapons.
Is this course for me?
This course is for professional actors, who would like to build upon their existing stage combat practice or expand their skillset to include stage combat practice.
Whatever your experience, our tutors are adept at providing bespoke feedback and challenging the individual within an inclusive group setting.
Our professional level classes give you an opportunity to invest in yourself and your professional practice. Taking part in these classes is a way to connect (or reconnect!) with the joy of acting. It’s a place to experiment, play, and make new discoveries.
View all entry requirements, including age and experience level, below.
Further Information
Need to ask a question? Contact our AFLAMDA Team.
This course will be led by experienced teacher and Fight Director, Aaron Preusse.
Aaron is the Founder of the Fake Fighting Company, a stunt and stage combat company based in Minnesota. He is a Certified Teacher and Fight Director with the Society of American Fight Directors. In addition, Aaron received honors of Advanced Gold with Recommendation from the British Academy of Dramatic Combat. He has served as Fight Director for over 25 productions at the Guthrie Theater.
Aaron has also been the Fight Director for the Children’s Theatre Company, the Ordway Center for Performing Arts, Minnesota Opera, Commonweal Theatre Company, Park Square Theatre, as well as many other theatres, universities and film projects in the Midwest region. Aaron has taught for the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, the University of Chicago, University of Minnesota, Concordia University of St. Paul, the Minnesota Thespian Festival, along with many other institutions.
He is a graduate of the Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
Please note that from time to time we may need to change the advertised tutor due to availability.
This course is for participants aged 21+.
Applicants must have at least three professional, verifiable acting credits, or an Acting Qualification at BFA level or higher. We reserve the right to verify any qualifications you have highlighted in your application form.
In order to train on this course, you should have a level of English that is approximately IELTS 6.0 or equivalent English Language experience.
You can test your level using the Cambridge English Language Assessment or the CEFR’s Self-Assessment Table. B2 Proficiency is roughly equivalent to IELTS 6.0.
If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch: [email protected]
Apply for this course through the 'Apply Now' button above. We advise you to apply early as places are limited.
Course Fee: $290
Application Fee: None
Alumni Discount:
LAMDA alumni should apply by first contacting [email protected], who will provide you with an individual link to begin your application. Learn more below.
Payment:
When applying to our courses, you will be asked to pay the full course fee upfront. Click 'Apply Now' on this page to begin your application.
If you meet the eligibility criteria and if spaces remain available, you will be offered a place on the course. If you're not eligible for this course, you'll be contacted by our team and will be offered a place on another relevant course or refunded the course fee.
Places on this course are offered on a first come, first served basis, and we encourage you to submit your application as early as possible to ensure a space on the course.
If you'd like to discuss the course and eligibility criteria, please get in touch on [email protected]
Cancellation & Refund Policy:
Please see below for information about our cancellation / refund policy:
We're pleased to offer LAMDA graduates a 10% discount on this class. To receive the discount, please write to [email protected] including:
- Full name
- Year of LAMDA graduation
- Course
- Short course(s) you wish to apply for
Please do this before filling out your application, as we will provide you with a separate application link.
Eligible for graduates of full-time LAMDA degree programmes and LAMDA's Semester Programme in Classical Acting.
We are thrilled to be offering LAMDA’s British conservatoire-style actor training outside of London. We are a truly global drama school, having been ranked 6th by the Hollywood Reporter in its 2024 list of the best drama schools in the world. With many of our alumni being from the USA, and going on to work in the States, New York City was a natural fit to be the home of our first international studio.
Our hope is that LAMDA NYC can be a hub for US-based LAMDA graduates to continue to train, and for those new to LAMDA to experience our work. We look forward to expanding our studio class offerings, and to bringing a slice of LAMDA training to the Big Apple.
Booking is now open for classes at our New York City base through American Friends of LAMDA (AFLAMDA). Experience LAMDA's industry-leading training for aspiring and professional actors. AFLAMDA enables world-leading LAMDA training to be delivered in New York to support the growing US alumni network alongside those new to LAMDA training.
AFLAMDA is a US-based independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) which supports the work of LAMDA. Since its founding, AFLAMDA supporters have helped make the LAMDA's vocational training possible for American students, providing funding for scholarships and financial aid, and widening access to people from all backgrounds and economic circumstances.
