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Explore upcoming stage combat courses, workshops, and specialized training at Rapier Wit. From FDC certification programs to focused performer workshops, find your next opportunity to build skills, confidence, and performance expertise.

Rapier Wit’s 2026 Fight Directors Canada Stage Combat Courses

Over the course of these certification classes, some of Canada’s best stage combat professionals will take students through training designed to help their progress as physical performers. Classes will focus on successfully creating the illusion of violence through armed/unarmed techniques and application of acting craft. Participants will have the opportunity to test for certification with Fight Directors Canada, Canada’s only nation-wide and internationally-recognized stage combat association. Space is limited, so register early!
Dates/Times

FDC Basic Actor Combatant Course 
Tuesdays and Wednesdays Sept 8- Nov 18: 6pm-10pm

FDC Intermediate Actor Combatant Course 
Tuesdays and Wednesdays Sept 8-Nov 18: 9am-1pm (Intensive week Nov 21-25: 9am-6pm)

FDC Advanced Actor Combatant Course 
Thursdays and Fridays Sept 10-Nov 27: 9am-1pm (Intensive week Nov 30-Dec 4: 9am-6pm)

Course Content

FDC Basic: Single Sword, Staff, Unarmed. Approx. 90 hours.

FDC Intermediate: Smallsword, Longsword, Rapier & Dagger, Unarmed Martial Arts. Approx. 120 hours.

FDC Advanced: Smallsword, Complex Weapons, Advanced Martial Concepts, Weapon & Shield, Found Weapon. Approx. 150 hours.

Fees

Basic Member

$1695.00 CAD (inc. HST)

Basic Non-Member

$2288.25 CAD (inc. HST)

Intermediate Member

$2260 CAD (inc. HST)

Intermediate Non-Member

$2938.00 CAD (inc. HST)

Advanced Member

$2825 CAD (inc. HST)

Advanced Non-Member

$3503 CAD (inc. HST)

Registration and Payment

Please email daniel@rapierwit.com to let us know that you’d like a place in a course. We require a $250 deposit in order to reserve your spot. However, you will first be sent a welcome package containing important information about the course; please review all of it, including the waivers, before you send us your deposit. It’s very important that you understand what the course requires before you commit to it.

Places are assigned on a first-come-first-reserved basis, but we ask that you please not reserve a spot unless you are reasonably certain you can commit to the course. If you decide to give up your place, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can offer it to someone on the waitlist.

General Notes

  • If you’re considering certification please visit our Stage Combat Certification page for important information about the FDC certification program at Rapier Wit so that you understand the course structure, objectives, and required commitment. You may also want to take a look at our FAQ.
  • Times, dates and instructors are subject to change where absolutely necessary, but every effort will be made to give reasonable notice.
  • In order to test for certification, students must become members of Fight Directors Canada. Membership fees are paid directly to FDC. Visit www.fdc.ca to become a member before signing up for classes and you’ll save significantly on Rapier Wit class fees by receiving our “member” rate!
  • We are committed 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!

Have questions about the course or registration?
Send us an email or give us a call at 647-748-8776

Firearms and the Performer Movement Workshop Session ‘A’ , Oct 17, 2026 (10 AM – 3 PM)

This standalone 1-day workshop is both a great continuation of our PAL firearm safety and tactical workshops, and a wonderful entry for performers who have not yet trained in firearm movement. Participants will train in carrying, draws, transitions, movement, and patrols, while working from character, narrative, and historical points of view. (This is a non-blank-firing workshop.) Although some participants will welcome this opportunity to renew or further their training and this is an excellent accompaniment to our PAL firearm safety workshop, it is not necessary to have previous firearm training. This is a primer on safe, technical and human weapons handling as an integral part of a compelling and dramatically effective performance.

Fees

The term ‘members’ refers here to members of Rapier Wit, FDC, CAEA, ACTRA and IATSE.
Member rate

$226.00 CAD (inc. HST)

Non-member rate

$339.00 (inc. HST)

Firearms and the Performer Movement Workshop Session ‘B’ , Oct 18, 2026 (10 AM – 3 PM)

This 1-day workshop is a continuation from Session A. Participants will train in draws from concealed carry, principle and security, 2 person teams, and room entry, while working from character, narrative, and historical points of view. (This is a non-blank-firing workshop.) An excellent opportunity to renew or further your training, and is an excellent accompaniment to our PAL firearm safety workshop.

Fees

The term ‘members’ refers here to members of Rapier Wit, FDC, CAEA, ACTRA and IATSE.

Member rate

$226.00 CAD (inc. HST)

Non-member rate

$339.00 (inc. HST)

Registration and Payment

Please email us at daniel@rapierwit.com if you would like to reserve a place in class. Payment may be made by cash, cheque, or e-transfer (sent to payments@rapierwit.com). Please DO NOT SEND PAYMENT until we have confirmed that the course is running and that you have a place in it.

General Notes

  • Course taught by Daniel Levinson.
  • Instructors, dates and prices subject to change; every effort will be made to give reasonable notice of changes.
  • Classes will run at the Rapier Wit Studio, 575 Wellington St. West, Toronto.

Firearms and the Performer Movement Workshop Session ‘C’ , Oct 24, 2026 (10 AM – 3 PM)

This 1-day workshop is a continuation from Session B. Participants will train in reloads with magazines, grenades, team stacking/4 person teams, and complex room entries, while working from character, narrative, and historical points of view. (This is a non-blank-firing workshop.) An excellent opportunity to renew or further your training, and is an excellent accompaniment to our PAL firearm safety workshop.

Fees

The term ‘members’ refers here to members of Rapier Wit, FDC, CAEA, ACTRA and IATSE.

Member rate

$226.00 CAD (inc. HST)

Non-member rate

$339.00 (inc. HST)

Registration and Payment

Please email us at daniel@rapierwit.com if you would like to reserve a place in class. Payment may be made by cash, cheque, or e-transfer (sent to payments@rapierwit.com). Please DO NOT SEND PAYMENT until we have confirmed that the course is running and that you have a place in it.

General Notes

  • Course taught by Daniel Levinson.
  • Instructors, dates and prices subject to change; every effort will be made to give reasonable notice of changes.
  • Classes will run at the Rapier Wit Studio, 575 Wellington St. West, Toronto.

Have questions about the course or registration?
Send us an email or give us a call at 647-748-8776

Firearms and the Performer Movement Workshop Session ‘D’ , Oct 25, 2026 (10 AM – 3 PM)

This 1-day workshop is a continuation from Session C. Participants will train in firearms disarms, tonfa, handcuffs, draw and fire with primers, and a scene with primer blank firing, while working from character, narrative, and historical points of view. (This is a primer-blank-firing workshop.) An excellent opportunity to renew or further your training, and is an excellent accompaniment to our PAL firearm safety workshop.

Fees

The term ‘members’ refers here to members of Rapier Wit, FDC, CAEA, ACTRA and IATSE.
Member rate

$226.00 CAD (inc. HST)

Non-member rate

$339.00 (inc. HST)

Registration and Payment

Please email us at daniel@rapierwit.com if you would like to reserve a place in class. Payment may be made by cash, cheque, or e-transfer (sent to payments@rapierwit.com). Please DO NOT SEND PAYMENT until we have confirmed that the course is running and that you have a place in it.

General Notes

  • Course taught by Daniel Levinson.
  • Instructors, dates and prices subject to change; every effort will be made to give reasonable notice of changes.
  • Classes will run at the Rapier Wit Studio, 575 Wellington St. West, Toronto.

PAL/Stage & Screen Firearms Combo Workshop Oct 24, 25 and Nov 1, 2026

Offered in collaboration with 1Shot Licensing, this unique course takes place over three days and covers training in non-restricted firearms, restricted firearms, and blank-firing replicas which are prohibited devices. This is a ‘must’ course for actors, directors, and stage managers. Its depth and focus on the entertainment industry make it the only one of its kind in Ontario.

For liability and safety reasons, it is best practice for all theatre companies to have a licensed PAL (Possession and Acquisition License) holder on staff if firearms or replica firearms are being used in a production. Days 1 and 2 of this course are the PAL segments, which will give participants the opportunity to earn both their restricted and non-restricted firearm licenses. This PAL weekend will be taught by Instructor Mike Rivington of 1Shot Licensing at his facility in Scarborough.

Day 3, the stage/screen portion, takes place at the Rapier Wit studio and is dedicated to best production practices and safe, effective performance techniques for stage and film. Participants will be firing blanks from eight different types of firearms and learning how to use these props safely and effectively in performance by training in safe angles, proper stances, draws, movement and carry. Firearms covered: pump shotguns, break shotguns, lever-action rifles, bolt-action rifles, single-action revolvers, double-action revolvers, single-action self-loading pistols, and double-action self-loading pistols. We also discuss common professional scenarios and problems, and invite you to bring in questions of your own.

The PAL (Possession/Acquisition License) course (days 1 and 2) is taught and examined by Canadian Firearms Safety Course Instructor Mike Rivington of 1Shot Licensing. The Stage and Screen Techniques practical class (day 3) is taught by PAL-certified FDC Fight Master Daniel Levinson. You may take the practical day a la carte if you wish, but the information in the Stage and Screen Techniques segment builds on that presented in the PAL course so we highly recommend taking the PAL first.

 

Class Schedule *Subject to Change*

PAL Day 1: 8 AM – 6 PM for class, followed by non-restricted testing.
PAL Day 2: 9 AM – 3:30 PM for class, followed by restricted testing.
Stage & Screen Practical Day: 10 AM – 3 PM

Fees

The term ‘members’ refers here to members of Rapier Wit, FDC, CAEA, ACTRA and IATSE.
PAL Portion (Days 1 & 2)
$340 (includes HST), to be paid directly to the PAL instructor. Digital textbooks are included.
Stage & Screen Firearms Practical Day (Day 3)
  • Members* – $282.50 (includes HST)
  • Non-members – $395.50 (includes HST)

Registration and Payment

Please send us an email at daniel@rapierwit.com to reserve a place in either or both parts of the course. Please DO NOT SEND PAYMENT until we have confirmed that you have a spot.
PAL Portion: This is not a Rapier Wit fee. It is only payable directly to the FSESO instructor, either by cash or cheque on the first PAL day, or via e-transfer in advance. If you would like to pay by e-transfer, let us know in your reservation email and we’ll send you the e-transfer information.
Stage & Screen Firearms Practical Day fee: This is a Rapier Wit fee, and is payable to us in advance via e-transfer or by cash/cheque when you come to class. Please let us know in your reservation email how you’d like to pay.

General Notes

  • Course taught by Daniel Levinson.
  • Instructors, dates and prices subject to change; every effort will be made to give reasonable notice of changes.
  • Classes will run at the Rapier Wit Studio, 575 Wellington St. West, Toronto.
Where Storytelling Meets the Art of Combat.
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