Upcoming Classes

“The Rapier Wit experience is unlike any other. They expect an incredible amount out of their students which makes them rise above where they believed they could go. No-one is left in the dust and everyone is treated like an actor, not just a fighter.” –Intermediate Certification Student

Looking for general info on weekly drop-ins, workshop types, or custom training? Check out our Training page.

*Regarding Covid-19 and Other Infectious Diseases*
Prospective students should be aware that this work requires a high degree of person-to-person contact, so comes with significant virus transmission risk. At this time masks are not mandatory, but students are welcome to wear them and are encouraged to follow established transmission-reducing protocols such as frequent hand washing and staying home if sick. Although we will do whatever we can to avoid outbreaks, if they happen courses may have to be adapted and/or cancelled on very short notice. Such responses to illness-related events will be discussed with participants as situations develop, and we will make every attempt to deliver the training on schedule. In the event of a virus-related course cancellation, course fees are of course fully refundable.                                                                                                                            

Announcement Regarding Rapier Wit’s 2024 Classes

In March 2024 we will begin extensive work on the Rapier Wit studio and upper floor that includes both much-needed repairs and long-awaited renovations. This will require us to close the studio to classes for a period of several months, possibly until September or a little beyond, so at this time we are not scheduling classes at the studio beyond the end of February. However, we will very much remain in business during that time, and we welcome your inquiries about classes or anything stage combat-related! If there’s a class you’re interested in, please let us know if you’d like to be notified of new dates and/or put on a registration list. We’re also looking into alternative class locations for short workshops that we can run while the studio is being upgraded, and will update our channels with new offerings as we have them. Thank you for your patience as we undergo these exciting changes!
 

Firearms and the Performer Movement Workshop
Session ‘A’ , Saturday February 17, 2024 (10 AM – 3 PM)

Daniel with Musket

This standalone 1-day workshop is both a great continuation of our PAL firearm safety and tactical workshops, and a wonderful entry for performers who have not yet trained in firearm movement. Participants will train in carrying, draws, transitions, disarms, movement, and rolling with firearms, while working from character, narrative, and historical points of view. (This is a non-blank-firing workshop.) Although some participants will welcome this opportunity to renew or further their training and this is an excellent accompaniment to our PAL firearm safety workshop, it is not necessary to have previous firearm training. This is a primer on safe, technical and human weapons handling as an integral part of a compelling and dramatically effective performance.

Fees

Member rate: $140.00 CAD (inc. HST)
Non-member rate: $255.00 (inc. HST)

  • The term ‘members’ refers here to members of Rapier Wit, FDC, CAEA, ACTRA and IATSE.

Registration and Payment

Please email us at daniel@rapierwit.com if you would like to reserve a place in class. Payment may be made by cash, cheque, or e-transfer (sent to payments@rapierwit.com). Please DO NOT SEND PAYMENT until we have confirmed that the course is running and that you have a place in it.

General Notes

  • Course taught by Daniel Levinson.
  • Instructors, dates and prices subject to change; every effort will be made to give reasonable notice of changes.
  • Classes will run at the Rapier Wit Studio, 575 Wellington St. West, Toronto.

Have questions about the course or registration? Send us an email or give us a call at 647-748-8776!

 

Rapier Wit’s 2024
Fight Directors Canada Stage Combat Courses

FDC Intermediate Sword Class

Over the course of these certification classes, some of Canada’s best stage combat professionals will take students through training designed to help their progress as physical performers. Classes will focus on successfully creating the illusion of violence through armed/unarmed techniques and application of acting craft. Participants will have the opportunity to test for certification with Fight Directors Canada, Canada’s only nation-wide and internationally-recognized stage combat association. Space is limited, so register early!

Dates/Times

FDC Basic Actor Combatant Course 
TBA
FDC Intermediate Actor Combatant Course
TBA
FDC Advanced Actor Combatant Course
TBA

Course Content

FDC Basic: Single Sword, Unarmed, Quarterstaff. Approx. 90 hours.
FDC Intermediate: Sword & Companion, 2-Handed Sword, Smallsword, Martial Arts. Approx. 120 hours.
FDC Advanced: Weapon & Shield, Complex Weapons, Point Work/Smallsword, Martial Concepts, Found Weapon. Approx. 150 hours.

Class Sizes

FDC Basic: minimum 6, maximum 10
FDC Intermediate: minimum 6, maximum 10
FDC Advanced: minimum 6, maximum 8

Fees

Basic fee (inc. HST): TBA
Intermediate fee (inc. HST): TBA
Advanced fee (inc. HST): TBA
All fees are in Canadian dollars. We accept cash, cheques, e-transfers, or PayPal payments.
The term ‘members’ refers here to members of Rapier Wit, FDC, CAEA, ACTRA and IATSE. Students referred by our fellow Toronto Association of Acting Studios instructors also qualify for the Member rate.

Registration and Payment

Please email daniel@rapierwit.com to let us know that you’d like a place in a course. We require a $150 deposit in order to reserve your spot. However, you will first be sent a welcome package containing important information about the course; please review all of it, including the waivers, before you send us your deposit. It’s very important that you understand what the course requires before you commit to it.

Places are assigned on a first-come-first-reserved basis, but we ask that you please not reserve a spot unless you are reasonably certain you can commit to the course. If you decide to give up your place, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can offer it to someone on the waitlist.

General Notes

  • If you’re considering certification please visit our Stage Combat Certification page for important information about the FDC certification program at Rapier Wit so that you understand the course structure, objectives, and required commitment. You may also want to take a look at our FAQ.
  • Times, dates and instructors are subject to change where absolutely necessary, but every effort will be made to give reasonable notice.
  • In order to test for certification, students must become members of Fight Directors Canada. Membership fees are paid directly to FDC. Visit www.fdc.ca to become a member before signing up for classes and you’ll save significantly on Rapier Wit class fees by receiving our “member” rate!
  • We are committed to helping our students achieve their goals and are always happy to answer questions. Feel free to call or e-mail us with whatever inquiries you have regarding certification, testing, time commitments, class schedules, stage combat disciplines, physical requirements, FDC. . . anything you want to know!

Have questions about the course or registration?
Send us an email or give us a call at 647-748-8776!

 

PAL/Stage & Screen Firearms Combo Workshop
*Next session TBA; please email us to be notified of dates.*

Casey with pistols

Offered in collaboration with 1Shot Licensing, this unique course takes place over three days and covers training in non-restricted firearms, restricted firearms, and blank-firing replicas which are prohibited devices. This is a ‘must’ course for actors, directors, and stage managers. Its depth and focus on the entertainment industry make it the only one of its kind in Ontario.

For liability and safety reasons, it is best practice for all theatre companies to have a licensed PAL (Possession and Acquisition License) holder on staff if firearms or replica firearms are being used in a production. Days 1 and 2 of this course are the PAL segments, which will give participants the opportunity to earn both their restricted and non-restricted firearm licenses. This PAL weekend will be taught by Instructor Mike Rivington of 1Shot Licensing at his facility in Scarborough.

Day 3, the stage/screen portion, takes place at the Rapier Wit studio and is dedicated to best production practices and safe, effective performance techniques for stage and film. Participants will be firing blanks from eight different types of firearms and learning how to use these props safely and effectively in performance by training in safe angles, proper stances, draws, movement and carry. Firearms covered: pump shotguns, break shotguns, lever-action rifles, bolt-action rifles, single-action revolvers, double-action revolvers, single-action self-loading pistols, and double-action self-loading pistols. We also discuss common professional scenarios and problems, and invite you to bring in questions of your own.

The PAL (Possession/Acquisition License) course (days 1 and 2) is taught and examined by Canadian Firearms Safety Course Instructor Mike Rivington of 1Shot Licensing. The Stage and Screen Techniques practical class (day 3) is taught by PAL-certified FDC Fight Master Daniel Levinson. You may take the practical day a la carte if you wish, but the information in the Stage and Screen Techniques segment builds on that presented in the PAL course so we highly recommend taking the PAL first.

Class Schedule *Subject to Change*

PAL Day 1: 8 AM – 6 PM for class, followed by non-restricted testing.
PAL Day 2: 9 AM – 3:30 PM for class, followed by restricted testing.
Stage & Screen Practical Day: 10 AM – 3 PM

Fees

PAL Portion (Days 1 & 2):
TBA, to be paid directly to the PAL instructor. Digital textbooks are included.
Stage & Screen Firearms Practical Day (Day 3): 
Members* – TBA
Non-members – TBA

  • *The term ‘members’ refers here to members of Rapier Wit, FDC, CAEA, ACTRA and IATSE.

Registration and Payment 

Please send us an email at daniel@rapierwit.com to reserve a place in either or both parts of the course. Please DO NOT SEND PAYMENT until we have confirmed that you have a spot.
PAL Portion: This is not a Rapier Wit fee. It is only payable directly to the FSESO instructor, either by cash or cheque on the first PAL day, or via e-transfer in advance. If you would like to pay by e-transfer, let us know in your reservation email and we’ll send you the e-transfer information.
Stage & Screen Firearms Practical Day fee: This is a Rapier Wit fee, and is payable to us in advance via e-transfer or by cash/cheque when you come to class. Please let us know in your reservation email how you’d like to pay.

General Notes

  • Instructors, dates and prices subject to change; every effort will be made to give reasonable notice of changes.
  • The Day 1 & 2 PAL classes will be held at 1110 Birchmount Rd, Scarborough. Day 3 will be held at the Rapier Wit Studio, 575 Wellington St. West, Toronto.

Have questions about the course or registration? Like, any? At all? Send us an email or give us a call at 647-748-8776!