fight like a girl!

The Duelling Dames is an all female, multi-generational sword fighting group that offers live theater for all ages, and stage combat workshops.

The Dames teach history with hilarity, astound with swordfighting skills, and are daring enough to bring audience members onstage. 
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​Female empowerment? Yes! Anti bullying? We’ve got it!  Workshops that disseminate violence in the media?  Only the Dames do that!

Having fun building a castle (from scratch) for our new show
​for 2022

Live Family Theater

The
​Duelling Dames
All ages
35 minute show, plus a meet & greet.
​
The Quinquagenarian Queen and the Puerile Princess argue...about everything.  The Queen believes rulers should be like a sword: Possessing strong hilts.  The Princess believes a sharp tip, representing youth,  is a better metaphor.  

Fighting over how to fight, these loveable characters bring knights onstage, whom they train for minutes and minutes...for a battle that is a hilarious as it is real, for there are no winners.
A delightful tale that both excites families about history while teaching anti violence strategies

​Tech requirements:
Minimum playing area of 20x30with a 10" ceiling height

Swordfighting Workshops

Learn to Wield a Sword
Ages 8+
The essential introduction to swordplay for actors. Learn techniques from a master Fight Director. Improve physical clarity onstage, and connect stage combat to acting intent and emotion.

Stage Combat is a codified art form that once learnt, makes it easy to choreograph and work with fight directors around the world.
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Teens/Adults we can accommodate real swords for up to 10 participants at a time. For foam swords, we can accommodate 20 participants at a time. 

"In this #me2 movement, why would you NOT hire female fight directors?  A lot of actors I know, male and female, have had traumatic experiences with stage combat before.  Thanks for teaching me there is another way".
​-PARTICIPANT, PortFringe workshop.

The Dames have Duelled at..

Tahoe Renaissance Faire 
​SEAWAY MALL 
Walnut Library
​Folsom Renaissance Faire
Guelph Creativity Picnic
YMCA of the Rockies
 Stronghold Renaissance Faire 
PortFringe
Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire
MONTALVO
​Long Beach Pirate Invasion
Big Bear Pirate Faire
LKTYP
Santa Monica Playhouse 
California City Renaissance Faire
​Steve and Kates Camps​​
HUMBER COLLEGE School of Comedy
Belleville Library
Dwight Library 
Arroyo Grande Libraries
Baysville Library
Petrolia Library
Thedford Lilbrary
Sarnia Library
Bright's Grove Library
Picton Library
Stouffville Library
Napanee Library
Alviston Library
Sante Fe Springs Library
Sweetwater County Libraries
Tahoe Forest Suites
Lambton Shores Public Library System​
...and many other libraries!

More Press!

Unarmed Workshops

Learn the magic of stage combat!
Ages 4+
Learn to kick, punch, and slap without getting hurt.  The Dame reveals the secrets to the illusion of stage combat, instructs choreography notation, and provides the confidence to create original fights.  
Stage combat teaches discipline, co-operation, conflict/resolution, theatrical concepts, and how to disseminate violence in the media.  
Stage Combat workshops connect with students whom are typically difficult to reach. 

The Quarantine Quarrels

Our comedic response to self isolation!
Follow us on instagram or Facebook to enjoy live, unedited, comedy stage combat!