The Textbook of Stage Combat is a comprehensive online handbook for theatre professionals. It explores the art and safety of stage violence—from unarmed fights to swords, daggers, and historical weapons—with guidance for actors, directors, and teachers. Unlike military histories or prop catalogs, this textbook is designed specifically for the stage, helping performers ground their work in character through the safe and truthful portrayal of combat.
This is a work in progress and will likely remain so for many years. The full text of the original 2009 edition has already been uploaded (all rights reserved). It is now being reorganized for clarity and ease of use.
The menu will be updated as sections are completed. Where possible, original images will be restored; where necessary, new illustrations will be created.
At the same time, some sections will be revised and expanded, with selected material linked to the accompanying YouTube channel as it develops. Thank you for your patience during this process.
Note: The text employs alternating he/she pronouns for grammatical precision and balance. Singular “they” is fully accepted elsewhere, but in technical and instructional writing, alternating forms maintain clarity when multiple roles or specific individuals are involved and distinctions between singular and plural are critical to understanding.
