Next class in KNIFE will begin June 15, 2026 with testing TBD in August/September 2026.

Weekly Classes

Ongoing: Monday Nights

• What: Weekly stage combat classes, with the option for SAFD Certification testing 

• When:  Monday evenings starting at 7:00, ending between 9:00 - 9:30 pm

• Where:  Three Stories, third floor rehearsal room  - or - The Rohr Building (check weekly email for current location)
  937 Liberty Avenue (Three Stories) - or - 805 Liberty Avenue (Rohr)
  Pittsburgh, PA 15222
  

• Cost:  Class fee $30/session, with discounts for monthly signups and for current university students.  For certification testing, a $60 non-refundable testing fee is required in addition to the class fees. (Testing with the SAFD is optional, and is not required for participation in the class).
  
  About the SAFD/Skills Proficiency Testing: 
  The Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD)  is the largest stage combat training organization in the United States, serving as a network of professionals who collaborate and cross-train to maintain a set of professional standards in the field of stage combat.  Participating in an SAFD Skills Proficiency Test provides an opportunity to have your skills observed and critiqued by a third-party eye with decades of professional experience, and it is a unique opportunity in arts education to have your skills measured against a national industry standard.  A minimum of 30 hours of training with a SAFD Certified Teacher is a prerequisite for a Skills Proficiency Test.
  
  Topics:   Early classes will start with foundational skills and techniques to establish safety and precision, progressing through more nuanced techniques and details of the style, and culminating in a presentation of choreography within a scene performance and an opportunity to test for certification with the SAFD (for those who desire to pursue that certification and meet the minimum training hours requirement).  
  
  Equipment: Students are encouraged to bring a pair of full-fingered leather gloves for sword work (batting gloves or light gardening gloves will work) and any pads or braces they may wish to work in.   ​Stage combat equipment will be provided, you do not need to bring your own.  However, if you would like to bring your own stage combat gear, it will be inspected to ensure it’s in good working condition and that it will work harmoniously with the class equipment before being allowed in class.