Unarmed Combat for Stage and Screen with Keith Wallis

Activity Description

Unarmed Combat for Stage and Screen with Keith Wallis

12th January – 9th February 2026

Ages 14 – 18 from 5:30 – 7:00
Ages 19+ from 7:00 – 8:30
Join Professional fight director and action coordinator Keith Wallis for this brand new short course exploring unarmed combat for stage and screen.

This course aims to provide actors and performers with the fundamental skills and techniques required for safe and effective action performance in theatre and film. From basic pushes, grabs and throws, to slaps, punches, knees, kicks, blocks, locks, falls and more. With a strong emphasis on safety, physical/spatial awareness, good partnering skills and group work on stage and on set, this course will look at the logic of fight choreography, how to work as a performer alongside a fight or stunt coordinator, and will draw upon your acting skills to sell the action to an audience.

Those who successfully complete the full course will have the chance to attain a Spotlight-recognised industry certification through Master at Arms.

Participants should bring along suitable joggers/clothing for movement work, and a pair of trainers. This will be a highly physical class, so you may also wish to bring a bottle of water.

Keith Wallis has been working as a fight coordinator and stage combat tutor for the past 17 years. Recent work includes projects for Glyndebourne, the Almeida, Theatre Royal Plymouth, the feature films The Severed Sun and Lady Macbeth starring Florence Pugh. He has previously taught at Italia Conti, LAMDA, East 15 Acting School, Trinity Laban, University of Winchester, Falmouth University and the University of Plymouth.