What does it take to choreograph a believable eye gouge? How do you land a slap without crossing the line—or losing the laugh? And how does shared light change everything?
In this exclusive behind-the-scenes conversation, Fight Director Colleen Kelly (King Lear) and Fight Choreographer JP Schiedler (The Comedy of Errors) pull back the curtain on the precision, intention, and creativity behind fight choreography at the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, Virginia.
At ASC’s Blackfriars Playhouse—the world’s only re-creation of Shakespeare’s indoor theatre—audiences surround the actors on three sides and often sit on stage. That closeness turns every fight into a high-stakes moment of storytelling.
“You’ve got people on all sides, up above, even behind you,” says Kelly. “You can’t hide anything—so we turn that into part of the performance.”
From slapstick brawls to slow-burning duels, from lollipops to ropes and knives, this conversation dives into how violence shapes character, comedy, and plot onstage—and how ASC’s approach is uniquely shaped by our space, our audience, and our commitment to shared light.
Watch: Behind the Blade – Stage Combat at the Blackfriars Playhouse
Featuring
- Colleen Kelly – Fight Director, King Lear (2025)
- JP Schiedler – Fight Choreographer, The Comedy of Errors (2025)
Filmed at the Blackfriars Playhouse in downtown Staunton, VA, home of the American Shakespeare Center—a nationally recognized theatre destination in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.
Discover More From ASC in Staunton, VA
- Madness and Meaning in King Lear – Dr. Susan Anderson
- King Lear & Little Women – Lights ON Blackfriars featuring Constance Swain, Erin Riley, & Paul Barnes from the ASC Spring 2025
- The Comedy of Errors – Lights ON Blackfriars with Director Chris Johnston
- Little Women – Behind the Seams with Costume Designer Amy Monsalve
Whether you’re here for the history, the theatre, or a peek behind the scenes, Staunton’s Blackfriars Playhouse offers a one-of-a-kind Shakespeare experience you won’t find anywhere else.