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What's New - Classes and Events

Unless otherwise noted, all of our classes take place at the Rapier Wit Studio. Rapier Wit is one block south of King Street and just west of Bathurst Street. Wellington is a one-way street going west, and the Rapier Wit studio is the third unit in the second building on the south (left) side. We're easy to spot from the street, being the only people in the neighbourhood with a big ol' rapier painted on our garage door! We are accessible by Bathurst and King streetcars. Parking is available in front of the studio if you're early, or nearby on Wellington Street.

Local landmarks: The Wheat Sheaf pub, Waddington's Auction House, Factory Theatre.

Please note that our minimum age for class participation is 18; we will consider admitting younger students only on a case-by-case basis.

A note on our e-mail address: we have been having issues with spam (the evil variety, not the tasty canned meat variety). Our address has at times been used as a hop point for relay spam, causing it to be blocked by various ISPs. (We are not trying to sell you F4bul0us R3pl1ca W4tch3s, honest.) For this reason we would ask that you add us to your safe list, especially if you're currently in a class. We have also had to remove direct links to our e-mail from this site, so you'll see our e-mail now written as danielATrapierwitDOTcom, with the caps denoting the at and dot signs. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience related to this!

Rapier Wit's

Fall/Winter 08-09 Stage Combat Classes

at the Rapier Wit Studio

Fall is the time to learn some amazing new skills, create excellent friendships and get back on your feet! Starting in September, Rapier Wit is running weekly classes in all levels and disciplines of the Fight Directors Canada Actor-Combatant syllabus. We offer high-quality training with qualified, experienced instructors in a fun, supportive environment.

*NEW FOR FALL 2008* - take Basic unarmed stage combat as a Sheridan College Continuing Education course! See below, "Class dates and times", for details.

General notes:

• Basic students have a choice of Friday afternoons or Tuesday/Wednesday evenings for all three disciplines. The Sheridan College Basic Unarmed course also runs at the Rapier Wit Studio on Thursday evenings.
• Students are welcome to take any class à la carte. In order to be eligible to test for Fight Directors Canada certification, however, participants must take all disciplines within the desired level. 
• In order to test above Basic, students must be certified at the FDC level below the one they're testing for.
• All hours below (except for Advanced) are training hours only and do not include the free extra time given to participants for their certification exams or rehearsal hours.
• Intermediate and Advanced-level training includes a week-long intensive before exams. Participants are required to attend this week as part of their certification training.
• Learning to partner effectively is a key component of stage combat training. Please note that students are partnered for exams, and partner rehearsal time is necessary in order to prepare adequately for testing. Space is available at the Rapier Wit studio for rehearsal and schedules can be worked out between partners according to what works best for both parties. Students wishing to pursue certification should bear in mind that in order for everyone to achieve the best possible results, it will be necessary for them to dedicate some time outside of regular classes to partner practice and to make a sincere effort to honour their commitments to their partners.
• We are dedicated 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!

• Times, dates and instructors are subject to change where absolutely necessary, but every effort will be made to give reasonable notice.

Class dates and times:

Basic Level/Foundation

Friday afternoons 2 PM to 5 PM

Unarmed Friday September 19 - October 24, 2008

Single Sword Friday October 31 - November 21, 2008

Quarterstaff Friday January 16 - February 20, 2009

Basic Level/Foundation

Tuesday/Wednesday evenings 7 PM to 10 PM

Single Sword Tuesday September 16 - October 14, 2008

Quarterstaff Wednesday September 17 - October 15, 2008

Unarmed Tuesday October 21 - November 18, 2009

Sheridan/Rapier Wit Unarmed Stage Combat Workshop

Thursday evenings 7 PM to 10 PM

Thursday September 18 – Thursday November 16, 2008

This course may be used toward Basic certification – ask about combining this with other basic courses

See Sheridan College’s web page for registration information about this course.

Intermediate Level

Friday mornings 10 AM to 1 PM

Rapier and Dagger & Martial Arts Friday September 19 - November 2, 2008

Broadsword & Small Sword Friday January 16 - March 20, 2009

Final Week Intensive 9:30 AM to 6 PM tentatively Monday March 30 to Saturday April 4, 2009

*Participants must take both Fridays and Final Week Intensive to be eligible to test for FDC certification*

Advanced Level

Thursdays 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM

Thursday September 12 – Thursday November 28, 2008

Cape/Case of Rapier

Broadsword and Shield

Martial Arts Weapons

Advanced Small Sword

Final Week Intensive 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM Monday December 3 - Saturday December 8, 2008

*Participants must take both Thursdays and Final Week Intensive to be eligible to test for FDC certification*

Course Fees

• All prices below include GST and are in Canadian funds.
• The following prices do not apply to the Sheridan College Continuing Education course. Visit the Sheridan College web page in order to register for this course.
• We accept cheques, credit cards (through PayPal), and cash. Please note that there will be a 20.00 charge for NSF cheques.

• Payment may be paid in installments for certification courses; speak with Daniel to arrange a payment schedule.

• The term 'members' refers here to members of Rapier Wit, Fight Directors Canada (FDC), Canadian Actors' Equity Association (CAEA) and ACTRA.

• Membership with Fight Directors Canada is $40 per year. Visit www.fdc.ca to join and save!

Individual classes:

$546.00 per individual discipline for non-members, $441.00 for members.

If you are taking three classes or more, fees are $330.75  per discipline.

Packages:

Basic package (3 disciplines) - $1638.00 for non-members, $992.25 for members

Intermediate package (4 disciplines) - $2184.00 for non-members, $1323.00 for members

Advanced package (5 disciplines) - $2730.00 for non-members, $1638.00 for members

Have questions? Want to register? Give Daniel a call at (416) 534-1947, or send an e-mail to daniel AT rapierwit DOT com.

Open Technique Nights at the Rapier Wit Studio

Mondays, 7 PM to 10 PM

A long-running Rapier Wit tradition, these ongoing Monday evening drop-in workshops are open to everyone. Each night is a complete class, and you are welcome to come as often as you like. Material covered is varied and tailored to the desires of those in attendance. This is a great opportunity to get a taste of stage combat, keep your skills up, or just unwind after a hard day! Evenings run from 7:00-10:00. Classes run every Monday year-round, subject to instructor availability. If we have to cancel a Monday, we usually post a notice here in advance. However, if you're coming from afar and want to double-check that there will be a class, please feel free to call to confirm that the Monday you're planning to attend is running. As always, questions are welcome! For more information you can call us at 416-534-1947, or send an e-mail to danielATrapierwitDOTcom.

NEW! One Monday of each month has now been designated 'Master Monday'. Master Mondays will feature Rapier Wit or guest instructors giving a three-hour overview of a particular technique or weapon. Descriptions of upcoming Master Mondays will be posted below, along with any training prerequisites that are preferred. As always, feel free to call or e-mail us with questions.

Fee: $10 for FDC and Rapier Wit members per evening, $15 for non-members; Master Mondays are $15 for FDC/RW members, $20 for non-members.

Prerequisites: No stage combat background required, unless otherwise stated for Master Mondays. Please come dressed for movement, with clean athletic footwear.

Instructors: Primary instructors are Daniel Levinson and Kevin Robinson. Guest instructors are occasionally featured.

Coming Up On Master Monday Open Technique Nights

Our last Master Monday featured Dok Stevens, who guided us knowledgeably through the zany world of self-defence! Thanks, Dok!

Coming up on July 28, 2008 at the Rapier Wit Studio:

Energy! With Pat Howarth

A night of exploring energy: experimenting with controlling and directing it, looking for patterns, and translating that into choreography. This can be combined with rolls, throws, pins, etc., and can involve weapons if we like. For anyone especially uncomfortable with rolling and falling, we can devise techniques to help overcome that. This is about exploring potential, so people of all experience levels can participate and learn from one another. If you have the energy to show up, you already have all the tools you need.

Time/date: 7 PM to 10 PM on Monday, July 28, 2008

Location: The Rapier Wit Studio (575 Wellington Street West, Toronto)

Skill level: All levels

Fee: $15 for members, $20 for non-members (prices include GST)

Have questions? Give us a call at 416-534-1947, or send an e-mail to daniel(at)rapierwit(dot)com.

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