Student Theater Arts Company students get right to the point

Ben Fiebert

3 months ago

At Herricks High School, students in the Student Theater Arts Company got right to the point on day one with a lesson on stage combat.

The class started by watching famous sword fight scenes from classic films released long before the students were born, including “The Princess Bride,” “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” and “Star Wars.” They dissected each scene, discussing the mood, dialog and choreography that made each of them unique and memorable.

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Then, wielding foam prop swords, the students learned basic attacks, defenses and parries, then choreographed their own fight sequences.

Herricks High School freshmen Aaizah Lakhani, left, and Riley Alexander practice their stage combat choreography during STAC class.

Herricks High School freshmen James Van Pelt, left, and Nick Broksy used music and dialog to set the tone as they performed their carefully choreographed fight scene for their classmates.

Herricks High School STAC students take a break from on-stage swashbuckling to come together in peace for a class photo.

Unlike a sport like fencing, the goal of stage combat is to not hit your partner. Safety comes first as you tell the story through swashbuckling.