SCOTT DOWNEY
Special To The Leader
Did you ever wish that Kick Butt 101 was a course you could take in college? Believe it or not, you can.
Professor Steven Vaughan’s theatre classes in armed and unarmed combat give you just that opportunity. At first glance, it looks like disorganized chaos — or a good old fashioned melee — where everyone is kicking the crap out of each other; after watching long enough, however, you can see the beginnings of art form.
This may sound a little odd, but Professor Vaughan said that there are no normal days in theatre.
Students, based on the direction of Professor Vaughan, wrote their own scripts. Although they do contain some dialogue, the action is mixed in to prepare the students for a real theatre experience.
He then installed the basics of theatre action, along with safety. He reminded students that while what they are doing is make-believe, the floor, pillar, piano and props are real and will hurt if slammed into.
Vaughan then saw each group and gave advice and direction on the reasons why things are the way they are in theatre and how to make their performance better. Students then had time to discuss amongst themselves what plotlines and action best fitted the tone of their scene.
Eric Schutt, a BFA musical theatre major has been doing theatre since middle school and said that it was the only thing he felt passionate about. He agrees with professor Vaughan that in a production, words are sometimes not enough. The actors need to either sing, kiss or fight. Combat classes are where they learn to fight correctly.
Anna Chicco, a BFA musical theatre major, said that she took the classes to obtain the ability to not only do stage combat but stunts and tricks safely and effectively on stage. The punches, kicks and rolls are all real, but there is no contact made. She also commented on the physical benefits of the class, saying that it was a real workout. She stretches out before this class just like any other workout because doing the drills and rehearsing the scenes requires a lot of energy.
“It is so much fun!” Chicco said. “What other class can you punch your friends in!? It’s energetic and silly, but very technically-based, so you are constantly learning and improving.”
Professor Vaughan and his students prove that education can be fun. They laugh, fight, get thrown on the floor and laugh some more.
Class signups are just a short time away, so if this sounds like fun to you, join Professor Vaughan and his merry troupe of actors for a piece of Butt Kick 101.