Skip to main content

Houston Shakespeare Festival

Texas Stage
Combat Intensive

Each year in Houston, students and professionals gather for an intensive workshop exploring the performance, choreography, and storytelling of staged combat for stage and screen.

 

TEXAS STAGE COMBAT INTENSIVE

The Texas Intensive (TXi) is an annual workshop focused on the art of stage and screen violence, specifically designed to provide students of all levels with an immersive, “intensive” experience. We are dedicated to professional skill training and attribute acquisition, and we pride ourselves on providing practical combat education to create better, more dynamic performers. Each year over Labor Day weekend, we draw U.S. and international students to Houston to train with instructors and innovators from around the country in the ever-expanding art of combat performance.

TXi is a sanctioned regional workshop of the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD), supported by the SAFD, the University of Houston, and the Houston Shakespeare Festival. We share the SAFD’s commitment to “promote safety and foster excellence” in the art of stage combat.
Join SAFD fight masters, fight directors, and certified teachers from across the country for cutting-edge training—whether you're seeking a foundational understanding or pursuing the advanced skills necessary for a career in the industry.

Want to stay updated on registration and all things TXi?  Join our Facebook Group

OVERVIEW OF WORKSHOPS

 
Texas Intensive (TXi) – Standard Workshop


The Texas Intensive (TXi) is an annual regional workshop, sanctioned by the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD), dedicated to the art of stage and screen violence. Designed for students of all experience levels, TXi provides an immersive, hands-on training environment that emphasizes professional skill development and practical combat education. Our goal is to help performers become safer, more dynamic, and more versatile artists.

As a part of the SAFD network, TXi shares the organization’s commitment to excellence in the performance and instruction of stage combat. While our classes focus on the execution of fight choreography for stage and screen, they also offer valuable insights for directors and aspiring fight choreographers. All participants should be prepared for a physically rigorous and artistically rewarding experience.

Learn more and stay connected by visiting our Facebook group or the SAFD website at www.safd.org.

 
Texas Intensive (TXi) – Starter Track


The TXi Starter Track is a specialized workshop designed by Fight Director Jack Young, tailored for those who are new to stage combat and looking to build a strong foundation in the art. Created specifically for entry-level students, this immersive experience introduces participants to essential safety practices, weapon style characteristics, and performance techniques for stage and screen violence.

Developed with accessibility and education in mind, the Starter Track aims to support safe and effective combat training in high schools and community theatres. To that end, we offer this workshop at an affordable rate to better serve young performers and non-professional theatre communities throughout the region.

Minors are welcome to participate with the permission of a parent or guardian.

 
Texas Intensive (TXi) – Proficiency Tracks


At TXi, we offer a range of Proficiency Tracks designed to meet students where they are in their stage combat journey—whether you're just getting started or refining your skills at an advanced level. Here's what our course designations mean:

  • FOUNDATIONAL

    Ideal for beginners or those looking to build upon their basic skills, Foundational courses provide the essential techniques and principles needed to progress in stage and screen combat.

  • OPEN

    Open courses welcome all experience levels and are perfect for students eager to expand their training. These classes often explore specialized skills such as Fighting for the Camera, Tumbling and Rolling, and Martial Arts traditions from around the world.

  • INTERMEDIATE

    Designed for students with a solid command of a specific weapon style, Intermediate courses require prior completion of a SAFD Skills Proficiency Test in that weapon, along with at least 50 logged training hours. These classes build on that foundation to refine technique and performance precision.

  • ADVANCED

    Reserved for highly experienced combatants, Advanced courses are intended for those working at a professional industry level. Students should have logged over 100 training hours in the weapon style and be prepared for intensive, high-level instruction.

 

Whether you’re joining us for the Standard Workshop or starting your journey with the Starter Track, TXi offers two full days of high-impact training, professional instruction, and an unforgettable sense of community. Below are sample schedules that offer a glimpse into the structure, energy, and variety of the TXi experience.

 

STANDARD WORKSHOP – SAMPLE SCHEDULE
First Things First The Texas Intensive kicks off Labor Day weekend with The Gathering on Friday evening at 7:00 PM (venue TBD)—a casual welcome event where students, faculty, and staff can mingle, relax, and connect over food and drinks. No RSVP needed—just bring yourself and your excitement for the weekend ahead.
Saturday & Sunday – “Day One” & “Day Two” Each day begins with registration at 7:30 AM (8:00 AM on Sunday), followed by light breakfast, morning remarks, and a group warm-up. The rest of the day is packed with five dynamic class sessions, offering multiple masterclasses to choose from in each time slot. Lunch is provided as part of your tuition, and there's a brief Afternoon Tea to rest and recharge. The day closes with a quick check-in on Saturday and a celebratory wrap-up on Sunday evening, featuring closing remarks, student performances, and a raffle.
Daily Highlights • 5 class sessions per day (9:00 AM – 5:50 PM)
• Variety of masterclasses including open sessions and specialty skills
• Meals provided: light breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea
• Community events and closing celebration
STARTER TRACK WORKSHOP – SAMPLE SCHEDULE
First Things First Running concurrently with the Standard Workshop, the Starter Track offers a slightly shorter schedule tailored to those just beginning their journey in stage combat. The structure mirrors the main workshop but with shorter session blocks and a focus on foundational techniques and safety practices.
Saturday & Sunday – “Day One” & “Day Two” The Starter Track begins each morning with registration, breakfast, and a warm-up, then transitions into a series of focused one-hour training blocks. Lunch is provided, and each day ends with an optional Open Session where Starter Track participants can explore specialty skills alongside the broader TXi community.
Daily Highlights • 6 targeted training sessions per day (9:00 AM – 4:20 PM)
• Designed for entry-level participants
• Meals provided: light breakfast and lunch
• Ends with Open Session, performances, and raffle

ABOUT SAFD

The Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to the art and craft of stage combat. Through training, performance standards, and professional development, SAFD supports performers and educators in safely and effectively portraying violence for stage and screen. With a network of certified instructors and sanctioned workshops across the country, the SAFD is a trusted resource for theatrical combat training in the United States and beyond. 

Learn more at www.safd.org 

Don’t Miss a Hit

Looking to stay in the loop with TXi news, schedule drops, and behind-the-scenes buzz? Join the conversation and get the latest updates.

 Join our Facebook Group