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Abbotsford group hosts stage fighting event

Abbotsford’s Gallery 7 Theatre & Performing Arts Society is bringing in certified fight master Paul Gelineau on April 20-21.

A workshop on stage fighting is schedule to take place in April.

Abbotsford’s Gallery 7 Theatre & Performing Arts Society is bringing in certified fight master Paul Gelineau on April 20-21 at the MEI Theatre, 4081 Clearbrook Road in Abbotsford.

This “hands-on” workshop will teach participants how to create the illusion of violence that is effective, but safe for the performer. Professionally accepted techniques for slaps, kicks, punches, trips and hair pulls will be explored as well as basic sword fighting techniques used on all professional stages and film sets.

“It may seem strange to offer a workshop such as this,” said Ken Hildebrandt, executive artistic director of Gallery 7. “At the heart of drama is conflict, and sometimes that conflict is expressed physically. It’s important for actors, directors, and producers to learn how to recreate that physicality realistically and safely so we can more honestly examine the reasons behind the conflict.”

Gelineau has created fight-action choreography and coordinated combat workshops for such theatres as The National Arts Centre, The Shaw Festival, The Banff Centre for the Arts, The Citadel Theatre, Theatre Calgary and the Vancouver Opera.

The workshop runs April 20 from 7-10 p.m. and April 21 from 1-4 p.m.

For more information, or to register for the course, call 604-504-5940 or register online at the theatre’s website at www.gallery7theatre.com.