FAQs

The Mid-Atlantic Melee is a two-day education event, founded in 2024, designed to teach Stage Combat, Movement, Physical Theatre, Acting, and related topics.

The closest airport is Baltimore Washington International (BWI), which is a 20-minute drive to Howard Community College, where the workshop is held.

Check out our Lodging page for up to date information about hotels affiliated with the workshop.

The main workshop is two days. It will involve very strenuous exercise with four (4) classes a day lasting 90 minutes each.

– Please bring clothing that will allow you flexibility and freedom of movement.

– Bring any braces, pads, gloves and supports that will assist you in gaining the most out of each class.

– You must have separate pair of indoor-only shoes with non-scuffing soles. Several of our spaces will not allow outdoor or everyday shoes on the studio floors.

– Please be sure to bring water or a refillable bottle. Water fountains will be available.

– Deodorant and anything else to keep you smelling and feeling fresh. Some classes may require you to be in close proximity to others, so please be mindful.

All the weapons and props needed for the workshop will be provided, however you may bring personal weapons if you wish.

ALL WEAPONS, personal or otherwise, are required to be checked in and stored at the Workshop’s Armoury. Class instructors will have final say on the use of personal weapons in class.

When the class schedule is released, it will appear here.

But the day to day schedule will be:

8am – Check in
9:00am - 9:30am – Announcements and Warmups
9:45am – 11:15am – Session 1
11:30am - 1:00pm – Session 2

1:00pm - 2:30pm – Lunch

2:30pm - 4:00pm – Session 3
4:15pm - 5:45pm – Session 4
5:45pm - 6:45pm – Closing Meetings and Events

Something for everyone!
Many masterclasses will be offered in a variety of topics related to Stage Combat, Movement and Physical Theatre.
Information on more specific class topics will be offered closer to the Workshop.

While we are unable to offer full, 30-hour Skills Proficiency Tests, we may be able to offer Skills Proficiency Renewals upon request. Please email MidAtlanticMelee@gmail.com if you are seeking a Renewal.

The main workshop will be 18+, however please consider our High School Track for young artists to begin exploring the foundations of Stage Combat.

Class signups will open about 24 hours prior to the start of the workshop. Please keep an eye on our social media and News page for the latest updates.

Beginner: For those with no experience, have taken a few classes, or maybe performed fights in a show or two, you'll likely be comfortable at the Beginner level.

Advanced: If you've studied consistently across a variety of weapons and have continued your training over the years, you're likely Advanced. Completion of multiple long-form classes with organizations such as the SAFD, DAI or FDC recommended.
These classes will not cover basic technique and participants will be expected to be confident in the fundamentals of the class topic.

Intermediate: If you fall somewhere in between, you're probably Intermediate.

Open: Open Level classes are meant to be open to all levels of experience. Often “special topics” classes, instructors prepare content that is easily adaptable to all skill levels

As long as there are spots left at the workshop, you are more than welcome to join us day-of, however these are limited, so we urge you to pre-register to secure your place at a much better price.

Yes! The workshop is hosted in part by the Noble Blades, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We would be happy to accept monetary and in-kind donations to support the workshop. Please reach out to us if you would like to make a donation.

Check out our Donations page for more information!

Yes! Group sales rates are available to organizations, academic institutions, and education professionals.

• Groups of 4 or more may register with a rate of $250 per person.

• Group sales follow our standard refund policy schedule, with the exception that a group may not refund to less than the 4 person minimum. (ex. A group of six can refund a maximum of 2 people under the standard refund schedule.) 

• To register a group, please email MidAtlanticMelee@gmail.com with your request. We will send you a registration form for your group, and a subsequent invoice for the registration fees, which must be paid all at once.

If you decide to cancel your reservation for the Workshop, you will be subject to the following refund policy:

– Cancellations on or before 11:59pm EDT on March 14, 2026 will be entitled to receive a 100% refund

– Cancellations on or before 11:59pm EDT on May 9, 2026 will be entitled to receive a 50% refund

– Cancellations on or after 12:00am EDT May 10, 2026 will not be entitled to receive a refund.

If you would like to request a refund, please do so by emailing us at MidAtlanticMelee@gmail.com

Also appearing in the registration pages and on the Check out page as Terms of Service. Each participant will need to agree to the workshop’s Terms in order to register

Terms and Conditions