About The Sydney Stage Combat School

In 1993, an unknown Australian Actor/Martial Artist was looking for an avenue to enter the Australian Film Industry. After repeated knock backs and one failed attempt at being graded as an Australian Stuntman this actor found the newly formed Society of Australian Fight Directors and began studying Stage Combat with them, merging his love of combat and performance into a career. By 1998 he became one of six qualified Fight Director in this country and one of only two in NSW. He then set about to spreading the word of Stage Combat and decided to create a place where people could come together and train, practice and share information regarding this new Art-Form. And thus The Sydney Stage Combat School was formed. This man was Actor, Fight Director, Weapons Master and the Director of the SSCS Kyle Rowling.

Since then The Sydney Stage Combat School has become the leading Theatrical Fight Choreography and Stage Combat training company in Australia. We are dedicated to the development and performance of Stage Combat Australia wide. Stage Combat Is an exciting new performance art that focuses on the study and practice of Safe, Effective Illusions of violence, whether it be unarmed or with a variety of weapons, all for the stage and screen. Past, present or future the SSCS specialises in all forms of personal combat, from Period European and Asian fighting styles to modern realistic fighting, slapstick, dramatic or the fantastic.

The SSCS works in association with The Society of Australian Fight Directors Inc. (SAFDi). All of our Fight Directors and our workshops are SAFDi Certified, ensuring a consistent high standard of quality in our work, and our qualifications are recognised by all other major Fight Societies around the world.

The SSCS Fight Directors have a combined experience of over 20 years teaching, choreographing and performing Stage Combat for the stage, television and film. National acting institutes such as NIDA, The Actors Centre, ACTT and ATYP, as well as professional companies including STC, ABC and Opera Australia, have all benefited from the safety and effectiveness of these modern stage-fighting techniques. Some of the productions the SSCS has been involved with include: Star Wars Ep II & III, Troy, Invincible, Farscape, The White Devil (New York Tour, STC), Singin’ in the Rain, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, King Lear and many more.

In the past access to Stage Combat has been limited to acting institutes and professional theatre companies. Now the SSCS offers the same techniques of violent illusion and theatrical swordplay to everyone. The SSCS offers something for all; for the professional actor Stage Combat is the fastest most intense form of high stakes acting training available, with focus on safety, timing, communication, intention and motivation. For everyone else Stage Combat provides the most entertaining way to get fit in years. Improve your balance, co-ordination, flexibility, stamina and self-confidence all while you play, and NO prior training is needed.