<p>I used to be a nationally ranked fencer. I still fence, but I no longer have the time to compete nationally. That said, the theatre director in my high school (I am a Junior) suggested that Thetre programs would be impressed if I could generalize my fencing background to the stage by getting certified in stage combat this summer, or at least taking the intensive program at the North Carolina School of the Arts this summer. Along with my role on the Scarlet Pimpernel, I am going to stage the sword fight scenes. I also was the sack leader on my football team, so I am your typical strapped linebacker, now putting all that aside because I want to get into a good Theatre program.
Finally, my quetion. Will getting specialized stage combat training/certification be better than going to a regular pre-college acting program (Syracuse, Rutgers, CMU, etc.). I can use the acting training, but the bottom line is that I want to get into a first/second tier BFA or BA (Theatre) program. Thanks, Ian S.</p>
<p>I'd agree with your theater director. My son's a working actor in NYC with a recent BA from a top LAC, majoring in Theater/Dance. He continually benefits from having taken stage combat to train for a summer position at a Renaissance Faire when he was around age l9. I always got the impression from talking to his Acting profs (during his college years) that they like the way THEY train their students. They didn't teach stage combat within the college, so appreciated training that kids got outside of college courses. You'll always be able to take another acting class, but stage combat is a special skill.
Anything along those lines (mime, circus skills) that is physical and that they can't replicate in college seems more attractive IMO than yet another acting class.</p>