Prairie Rose regional stage combat workshop

07/30/2025

This workshop has been cancelled indefinitely due to budget concerns at the host college. We are saddened by this turn of events but hope to fight with you again elsewhere in the future. Fight kindly, my friends.

07/12/2025

INSTRUCTOR ANNOUNCEMENT 3 of 7 -- Brandon Brockshus!

Brandon Brockshus (ISU Performing Arts BA ’13; Kinesiology MS ’21) is a PhD candidate in Kinesiology at Iowa State University and Recognized Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) Actor/Combatant. Mr. Brockshus has served as fight director for Iowa Stage Theater Company, The Des Moines Playhouse, Shot in the Dark Productions, Central College, Simpson College, Drake University, Morningside University, Iowa State University, and Iowa high schools. He teaches DRA 127: Stage Combat at DMACC -- Ankeny in the summer. His research interests include methods of teaching stage combat and the effects of stage combat training and practice on the human brain. He lives in Ames, Iowa with his wife, daughter, and son.
fighting-brain.com

06/19/2025

INSTRUCTOR ANNOUNCEMENT 2 of 7 -- Amie Root!

Amie Root is a movement, stage combat and theater pedagogy teacher, fight director, playwright and actor. She travels across the country teaching and working in theatre. Amie is a Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) with whom she is an official mentor. Amie has been a guest artist instructor for California State University Summer Arts for over a decade and has been the Fight Director for Unto These Hills for four seasons. She was a teaching artist for The Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington DC for four years. Additionally, she is this year's SAFD Teacher Certification Workshop Pedagogy Instructor, as well as coordinates the pedagogy training at the Texas Intensive hosted by the University of Houston and the two-week Central Illinois Stage Combat Teacher Trainer hosted by Western Illinois University. Amie Root has a BA in drama from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point and is pursuing her MFA in Directing at Western IL University. Website: www.Amieroot.com

06/05/2025

INSTRUCTOR ANNOUNCEMENT 1 of 7 -- Brian Byrnes!

SAFD Fight Master, Fight Director, and Certified Teacher -- Brian has taught at institutes, colleges and universities across the country. His work as a Fight Director includes New York theatres; regional and repertory theatres; opera and ballet companies; and work with Motion Capture companies in the U.S. and Sweden. Brian is an AEA actor, works as a director, and has also written several plays that have been professionally produced. He was a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Iowa (1992 & 1995). He was a Full-Time Faculty Member, Tenured Associate Professor with the University of Houston School of Theatre & Dance (1996-2012). Brian also served as a Full-Time, Tenured Associate Professor and Head of Movement with the Graduate Acting Program at the Old Globe and University of San Diego Shiley Graduate Theatre Program (2012-2020).

05/21/2025

We are live! Spread the word and join us at the Prairie Rose
💙🤍🌹👊⚔️🎭😎🌹🤍💙
https://www.dmacc.edu/theatre/prairie-rose.html

10/07/2024

Due to low enrollment, we will be unable to offer the Prairie Rose regional stage combat workshop this year.

We will try again next year! Please keep an eye on the website for details about the Prairie Rose 2025, coming to DMACC -- Ankeny October 18 & 19, 2025. I also encourage you to seek training at our sister workshops. Information about them can be found at SAFD.org.

10/02/2024

"You like big blades, itty bitty blades
Mississippi blades, inner city blades?
You like the pretty blades when in terza?
Use your nagels, or just a Pas D'An!
I like a dish hilt, I like a side ring,
I don't discriminate, come and get croiséd.
From the thin blades to the thick blades
Go and slay, blades, you my fave blades."

-The ancient poem, "Blades", by the poet riCazzo

The Prairie Rose has all the most popular flavors of blades and other weapon styles as codified by the SAFD. You can start your day with two-handed sword and quarterstaff, take a breather with unarmed and knife before ending with sword and shield all in one day!

Register now at https://www.dmacc.edu/theatre/prairie-rose.html

09/27/2024

We are halfway to our enrollment goal, and we couldn't be more excited to see you IN JUST TWO WEEKS! If you haven't told us you're coming, please register today at https://www.dmacc.edu/theatre/prairie-rose.html

We need 10 more students registered by the end of next week to make this thing go. Remember, there's a group discount, so gather up your friends and get them to Ankeny, Iowa! Friends who play together stay together, and friends who fight together forge a bond stronger than the steel they swing. Register today!

09/20/2024

We are SO EXCITED to bring world-class stage combat training to Ankeny, Iowa! BUT we cannot do this without YOU. Help us show our administration that this workshop is wanted and worthwhile. REGISTER TODAY. Payment is not due immediately, and getting your name on our list will help us plan for enough space and prop weapons to accommodate everyone. Help us bring this beautiful field of battle to life -- register for the Prairie Rose today!

We need TWENTY students registered to make this thing go, and we have space for fifty-six. Help us reach our goal and get some SWEET SWEET TRAINING! 👊⚔️🌸😎

DMACC Ankeny Theatre presents the first annual Prairie Rose regional stage combat workshop featuring expert stage combat instructors from around the nation.

09/16/2024

"Iowa? But that's so far away!" Not so! In fact, it's in the middle of so many places: between the Des Moines International Airport and sub five-hour road trips for closer Midwest population centers, one playthrough of "Hamilton" and "Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog" will get you most of the way there before your Spotify starts pumping in the Disney show tunes.

And every trip is better with a buddy, so bring one for a 15% off BOTH of your tuitions.

https://www.dmacc.edu/theatre/prairie-rose.html

09/09/2024

It's NOT dangerous to go alone, but take this! A 15% discount for you and a friend if you register together, or a 10% if you can't bring a friend but you ARE a member of the Society of American Fight Directors.

Bringing instructors associated with the Society of American Fight Directors from across the country, the Innaguaral Prairie Rose Stage Combat Workshop offers classes in all eight of the SAFD's weapon disciplines across all skill levels and the opportunity for Skills Proficiency Renewals.

Register and see the classes here:
https://www.dmacc.edu/theatre/prairie-rose.html

09/04/2024

INSTRUCTOR ANNOUNCEMENT 12 of 12 --- Andrew Rathgeber!

Andrew Rathgeber (he/him) is a Chicago-based Actor and Fight Director. As a fully-recommended Advanced Actor Combatant in the Society of American Fight Directors, Andrew is the Company Fight Director for Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, works locally as an Actor/Fighter with Lyric Opera Chicago, Fight Director for Oak Park Festival Theater, and has collaborated with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Remy Bumppo, Commission Theatre Co, Raven, The House Theatre, Route 66 Theater, Haven Theatre and side project theatre co. Other credits: American Players Theatre, Forward Theater, Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park, Montana InSite Theatre, Tippet Rise Art Center, Bozeman Actors Theatre, and The Verge. Andrew is actively pursuing Certified Teacher status with the SAFD, and is a certified Consent Forward Artist with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators. He has been on teaching staff at numerous regional workshops (Winter Wonderland Workshop, Tourist Trap, Brawl of America, Allegheny Alley Fight, The Fredricksen Intensive, The Stage Combat Workshop at Louisiana Tech, and the Texas Intensive), and has taught masterclasses for the University of Oklahoma, the University of Toledo, North Central University, Neutral Chaos, and Open Gate Movement Arts. Andrew trained at the University of Oklahoma and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. Outside of the SAFD, Andrew holds rank in Aikido at Chicago Aikikai, and in Judo at Tohkon Judo Academy.