WORKSHOPS on request
“Based on our experience in fight and intimacy, Rc-Annie offers specialist workshops for students, staff, industry professionals and the wider workplace. Recent clients include RADA, LAMDA, Manchester Metropolitan, University of Greenwich, Eton College, Harrow School, Actors From the London Stage, Scottish Ballet, Royal Opera House and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.
Get in touch here to plan your next workshop.
"The Boundaries and Consent workshop was utterly invaluable and helped the company so much - it set them up for success.” (Jennifer Higham, Actors from the London Stage).
"I can't recommend Rc-Annie highly enough. They put safety first while making it fun, and really care about the work and the students’ experience.”
(David Kenworthy, Marlborough College).
"Generous sharing of knowledge and skills”
"The real-life stories were so helpful to learn from”
"Obsessed! Loved the vibe and the openness/humour that made discussing difficult topics easier and more accessible”
"Getting access to Ruth and Rachel’s combined knowledge was invaluable.” (Past Participants of Intimacy Courses)
BOUNDARIES & CONSENT
2 to 3hrs in person or online
FOR: Performers, Stage management, Theatre makers
A show specific Boundaries & Consent (B&C) session takes place with cast, Stage Management and Director. This is an opportunity for all the company to check in with their own boundaries and explore tools for comfortable working practices. This helps to provide a shorthand which can save valuable time in the rehearsal room. Optional provision of a show-specific Company Agreement (an agreed rehearsal culture, entirely guided by the company’s wants and values).
VIOLENCE IN DANCE / OPERA
3hrs in person
FOR: Either Ballet dancers or Opera singers
Answering the challenge of implementing safe working practices within the framework of an established musical score and choreography. We have created two workshop one for Violence in Dance and the other for Violence in Opera. Both are introductory training for Ballet Dancers and for Opera singers. Practically learning safe cutting-edge (pun intended) Stage Combat techniques in either sword play or unarmed to feel better prepared for the rigours of a live fight set to score in performance. This was implemented to great success at the ROH in 2025.
BLOOD & GUTS!
3hrs in person
FOR: Stage management, Theatre makers, Performers.
Blood bags, Blood capsules and more! Messy but fun Blood FX. Get to grips with the gorier side of fights and mock injuries without breaking the budget or compromising safety. You provide the Blood and we’ll supply the knowledge! Remember to bring a change of clothes because you will get messy and sticky.
WEAPONRY FOR THEATRE
3hrs in person or online
FOR: Stage managers, Technicians, Prop and art departments
All basics you need to know about theatrical weaponry from how to identify them to cleaning them. We look at making confident choices on whether an item is ‘safe’ to use as either a practical or decorative item. We help you identify what to look for when sourcing/hiring weapons. We will examine theatrical blades from metal to latex to facilitate how to recognise the type, material, period and application. Discover how to maintain and perform basic repairs and discuss including essential items for your tool box.
HOW TO SAFELY DIRECT ACTION
Up to 3hrs in person or online
FOR: Film and Theatre makers
A live panel Q&A workshop tailored to either Film or theatre. Most productions involve an element of violence. However, budgets can be tight and compromises have to be made. We will help you to ensure that safety is not one of them. Expecting your actors to choreograph their own action is an unnecessary risk, which could cost you more in the long run. In this workshop we explore how you make informed choices to protect the physical and emotional safety of your actors. From pre-production and casting to the practicalities of rehearsals, choreography and the shoot/performance. Learn about your responsibilities, the law, appropriate weaponry choice, how to utilise your Fight Director/Action Coordinator, Doubles and Actors, varying abilities, setting boundaries, the paperwork protocols and safety procedures.
BADC CERTIFICATION COURSE
5-10 days or weekly in person
FOR: Actor/fighters, Performers, Stunts
The British Academy of Dramatic Combat is the oldest stage combat organisation in the world with internationally recognised qualifications. Intensives are full time courses from 5-10 days which culminate in a BADC examination or showcase. Weekly classes will require a minimum of 40 hours training in order to examine. Many Drama Schools, Colleges and Universities offer Stage Combat as part of their curriculum. Stage Combat naturally brings together all of the performer core skills such as Voice, Movement and Acting into one coherent discipline. Courses range in length depending on the choice of BADC Level. Tutors and all weaponry are included.
YOUNG PERSONS INTRODUCTIONS TO STAGE COMBAT
2hrs in person
FOR: Open to all.
We take you through the basics, from learning how to fall safely to throwing punches, kicks and selling reactions. Unarmed for 6-13yrs, with options available for 14 yrs+ to work with swords. We provide the Tutors and any weaponry from our armoury. Previous popular workshops include: SLAP BANG WALLOP! 2hrs, under 16yrs. BATTLING THE BARD. 2 hrs, under 18yrs. SWASHBUCKING. 2hrs, Over 16yrs. KNOCKABOUT / SLAPSTICK. 2hrs, over 10yrs. SCRAP. 2hrs, over 18yrs.
BOUNDARIES & CONSENT
Up to 3hrs in person or online
FOR: Performers, Facilitators, Teachers, Stage management, Technicians and Admin staff
Workplace and show specific versions available. The initial Boundaries & Consent (B&C) session takes place with Cast, Stage Management and Director. We require a minimum of 1.5 hours for this session. This is an opportunity for all the company to check in with their own boundaries, explore some tools for comfortable working practices and provide a shorthand which can save valuable time in the rehearsal room. The B&C session is show-specific and as part of this session is an opportunity to form a Company Agreement (an agreed rehearsal culture, entirely guided by the company’s wants and values).
HOW TO PREPARE FOR INTIMATE MOMENTS
Half to full day in person or online
FOR: Stage management, Technicians, Facilitators, Teachers
We equip you with the necessary knowledge to prepare for violent and intimate moments in a production. We look at the whole process, from pre-production and casting through to maintaining a long running show, establishing a comfortable environment with complicit working practices, and practical realities such as appropriate language, leading warm ups and calls.
DE-ROLE
2hrs in person or online
FOR: Performers, Stage management and Technicians.
Even the most experienced actors can suffer the effects of playing emotionally exhausting scenes night after night. De-roling is about taking time to remove the character from the self after rehearsals, a show, or the run. We use a process of connecting to the neutral body, shifting the mode of embodiment from that of the Character back to the Actor.
INTIMACY: FORMULA
A 3 day course in person
FOR: Movement directors, up and coming IC's, Theatre makers, Performers.
This course covers all the things that everyone will expect you to know. It answers the questions what are the rules and what is the route? Find a personalised exploration and an all round understanding of what INTIMACY is. Participants will be guided through the process of performing intimate and evocative scenes from paperwork to setting intimate scenes.
INTIMACY: CHEMISTRY
A 3 day course in person
FOR: Movement directors, up and coming IC's, Theatre makers, Performers.
Responding to feedback from our sold out Intimacy: The Formula we have created a 3 day intensive focusing more on the physical solutions. A practical workshop offering genuine options for staging all intimacy from a kiss to simulated intercourse. A unique opportunity to literally try out ideas and find out what works and why. You do not have to have attended our INTIMACY: THE FORMULA to attend this course.
REPLICA FIREARMS CONSULTANCY
Up to 3hrs in person
FOR: Production staff and cast
The consultancy is a 2 session package specific to the production. We take the SM team through all the DOs and DON'Ts including law, paperwork and procedures, train the actors in the basics and help advise on how to set the action. The second visit is to the technical rehearsals to go over all the backstage logistics and check all onstage action. The consultancy can be delivered as a stand-alone, or as part of our services as fight director.
REPLICA FIREARMS TRAINING
A full day in person with firing or 2 theory sessions online
FOR: Performers, Stage Managers, Theatre and Film makers
Our Industry recognised course is the only one of its kind in the UK. It is an essential component to Stage Management Training as endorsed by the Stage Management Association. We began offering Replica Firearms training in 2005, preempting the 2006 VCRA (Violent Crimes Reduction Act). Our course offers comprehensive practical training and guidance including UK gun law and has directly affected attitudes to the safe working practices of Replica Firearms use. Online version
BANG!
3hrs to full day in person
FOR: Performers, Stage Managers, Theatre and Film makers
For those who wish to gain practical experience and confidence in operating purpose built blank firing handguns. We use airsoft and replicas to safely practise handling and operation techniques, before graduating to blank firing RIFs for loading/unloading, clearing jams, cleaning and a lot of firing experience. We employ tactical training drills culminating in team work actions and exercises.
BOUNDARIES & CONSENT
2 to 3hrs in person or online
FOR: Open to all.
Workplace Boundaries & Consent (B&C) sessions are an opportunity for all in house staff to check in with their own boundaries, discuss workplace challenges and explore some tools to create a more open and comfortable working practice. The group may wish to invest time in creating their own covenant / agreement of practice entirely guided by the company's wants and values.
YOGA / DE-STRESS
1 to 3hrs in person or online
FOR: Open to all.
Combining breath work with posture and intention we press the reset button. Rachel Bown-Williams is a qualified Kundalini Global Yoga teacher specialising in breath work, anxiety and addiction. Experience the sanctuary of your yoga mat so you can put down your day and come home to yourself.
Session can be one off, or a series of sessions.
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