Opportunity: One-day Light-saber workshop with Toby Minor, January 6, 2013

One-day Light-saber workshop with Toby Minor

This is a quick, 3 1/2 hr light-saber workshop. (I say "quick" because light-saber training is actually very comprehensive and takes years of training in the seven forms. We will mostly be focusing on the first form which is called Shii-Cho)

***To be very clear: this is stage combat class. I will be teaching how to execute these moves safely on a film set or in a play.

Date: Sunday, Jan 6, 3:30-7 pm
Location: 7031 E. Hwy 290. It's just east of I35 at Berkman, a blue building with a nice big secure parking lot.
Cost: $40 Please register before the class as there are only 13 slots. In order to register, please send a check to: T Minor, 1712 Barilla Mountain Trail, Round Rock, TX 78664.

Light-sabers, and by extension light-saber combat, were inspired by the pirate and romantic films of the 1940s, which heavily featured rapier fencing and the like. In keeping with these romanticized depictions of fighting, the light-sabers were intended to represent the honor and chivalry inherent in the Jedi. Jedi were initially conceived as fighting with swords, but George Lucas wanted to provide them with a technological edge, and created the light-saber. His rationale was that in an era of energy weapons, light-sabers could be used to deflect the rays, giving birth to the idea of blast-deflection. Lucas wanted the earliest light-saber duels to feature a very oriental-style of fencing, reminiscent of Japanese fighting styles, which involved a great deal of honor and spirituality.

We will be using single sword practice weapons, focusing on basic oriental-style fencing technique (modified slightly for the use of a light-saber)

All levels of training welcome.

Please RSVP to Toby at: tobywon55@gmail.com or call Toby at 512-909-0254

About the instructor:Toby Minor is an actor combatant, certified with the SAFD (Society of American Fight Directors) and received his B.A. training from NMSU. He also holds black belt level in BudoTaijutsu (Ninjitsu), which makes him a real-life Ninja. Toby has choreographed fights for various shows around town, including Rose Rage with Hidden Room, Big Love with Shrewd Productions, The Three Musketeers with Leander High School, Hamlet with Austin Shakespeare and Black Swan Productions, True West with DYS theatre, I Hate Hamlet with the Georgetown Palace Theater, and Lear at the Vortex . Film Choreography credits include, among others, Haze, and Omniscience with Stage left in Chicago.

Broadsword combat classes with Toby Minor, November 18 - December 9

This is a four week workshop about learning how to wield a single-handed broadsword, the most commonly used weapon on stage in Shakespeare and classical pieces. It's designed for hacking and slicing. (Lord of the Rings movies, King Arthur, etc)

Each class will begin with a brief physical warm up. We will quickly move into sword strikes and parries, foot positioning and body form. No previous sword experience necessary, as this a basic level training course. The last class will culminate in a showcase performance of fight scenes for friends and family.

Dates: Sunday evenings from Nov 18, 25, Dec 2 and 9. Time: 5-7pm. Limit 10 students. By request we found a space way further south!! This space is 7031 E. Hwy 290. It's just east of I35 at Berkman, a blue building with a nice big secure parking lot.

Cost is $100. I take credit cards, checks and cash. Please sign up ahead of time by contacting Toby at: tobywon55@gmail.com or calling (512) 909-0254. 

 Click to go to AustinLiveTheatre.com for additional information about Toby Minor.

Classes in Unarmed Stage Combat with Andrew Rodgers, Saturdays in November

Unarmed Stage Combat classes, Saturdays in November

Award-Winning Fight Choreographer Andrew Rodgers will be teaching a 4 week workshop on Unarmed Stage Combat at The Collective on East Riverside.

We will go over all the basics of unarmed stage fighting, including slaps, punches, grabs, hair pulls, falling and more. This class will impart invaluable techniques and experience that can only serve to elevate your perfomances, whether on stage or in film. Anyone ever wondering how they make those fights look so real- this class is for you. No experience required.

The classes will be held at The Collective on East Riverside (2015 E Riverside Ave) (click for map) on every Saturday in November (Nov 3, 10, 17 and 24) at 3 pm. Cost is $125 per person for the full cycle, non-refundable after the first class. Cash or Check preferred.

For information and registration, please send an e-mail to A.Rodg@Yahoo.com. Click for additional information about Andrew Rodgers at AustinLiveTheatre.com

Opportunity: Lightsaber Training with Toby Minor, September 14 - October 12

Lightsaber training courses with Toby Minor, Sep 14, 21, 28 and Oct 12 (no class Oct 5), 7 - 9 p.m. in Round Rock at Minor Bodywork, 1712 Barilla Mountain Trail, Round Rock, TX. Limit 8 students; Cost: $100 for all four classes

We will be using single sword practice weapons until it gets dark. Then if you have a light-saber you may use that. (You can buy one fairly cheaply at any kids' store!) We will be learning/choreographing scenes on the 3rd class and the last class will culminate in a performance for friends and family.

Light-saber is very similar to single sword with some Asian flair to it. All levels of training welcome. Please RSVP to Toby at: tobywon55@gmail.com.

Class on Single Sword Combat with Toby Minor, March 5 - 26

Single Sword Workshop

Dates: Monday evening class from 7-9pm
March 5, 12, 19 and 26
Cost: $100 per student for 4-week session

Location: Biophiliac Productions

near intersection of 290 and 183

Registration: Email tobywon55@gmail.com or call (512) 909-0254
Payment either by check in the mail, or due first day of class at registration (check or credit card). Extra $3 fee for credit cards.
Cancellation policy: full refund within 48 hours of first class

About the Instructor: Toby Minor is an actor combatant, certified with the SAFD (Society of American Fight Directors) and received his B.A. training from NMSU. He also holds black belt level in BudoTaijutsu (Ninjitsu), which makes him a real-life Ninja. Toby has choreographed fights for various shows around town, including Big Love with Shrewd Productions, The Three Musketeers with Leander High School, Hamlet with Austin Shakespeare and Black Swan Productions, True West with DYS theatre, I Hate Hamlet with the Georgetown Palace Theater, and Lear at the Vortex (for which he was nominated for a BIP Award for outstanding fight choreography). Film Choreography credits include, among others, Haze, and Omniscience with Stage left in Chicago.

and coming up next.... Rapier and Dagger (advanced level). Single sword class is a pre-requisite to the rapier and dagger class!

Upcoming: Fight by Kimber Lee, world premiere, University of Texas, November 12 -21

Found on-line:

The University of Texas presents the world premiere of

Fight

Written by Kimber Lee
Directed by Charles Otte and Kimber Lee

November 12*, 14, 17, 18, 19 at 8:00 PM
November 14, 21 at 2:00 PM
Oscar G. Brockett Theatre

*Join us November 12 for an Opening Night Reception immediately following the performance. Guests will be able to mingle with the cast, crew, and director of Fight while enjoying an assortment of light snacks and desserts.

Tickets: $20 adults, $17 UT faculty & staff, $15 students available online at www.texasperformingarts.org or by phone at 477-6060.

What does it take to be a fighter? Dani Perez is about to find out. On the run from the oppressive silence of her aunt's apartment, Dani starts training at the boxing gym where her estranged father once reigned supreme. Day after day she works to learn the sweet science of boxing, and finds that true victory in the ring comes not only through strength and speed, but also through persistence, hard work, and having the heart to stand, face your own worst fears and never give up.

Read more at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .

Upcoming: Fight by Kimber Lee, world premiere, University of Texas, November 12 -21

Found on-line:

The University of Texas presents the world premiere of

Fight

Written by Kimber Lee
Directed by Charles Otte and Kimber Lee

November 12*, 14, 17, 18, 19 at 8:00 PM
November 14, 21 at 2:00 PM
Oscar G. Brockett Theatre

*Join us November 12 for an Opening Night Reception immediately following the performance. Guests will be able to mingle with the cast, crew, and director of Fight while enjoying an assortment of light snacks and desserts.

Tickets: $20 adults, $17 UT faculty & staff, $15 students available online at www.texasperformingarts.org or by phone at 477-6060.

What does it take to be a fighter? Dani Perez is about to find out. On the run from the oppressive silence of her aunt's apartment, Dani starts training at the boxing gym where her estranged father once reigned supreme. Day after day she works to learn the sweet science of boxing, and finds that true victory in the ring comes not only through strength and speed, but also through persistence, hard work, and having the heart to stand, face your own worst fears and never give up.

Read more at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .