The NYCSS Summer Performance Intensive

The need for actors to know how to fight is bigger than ever. There’s never been a better time to channel your inner fighter and train in stage and screen combat!

Our goal is to provide a place where actors can hone their craft in creating safe violence for stage and screen. NYCSS focuses on grounding fights in martial reality to make sure the action is highly realistic, while also being an integral part of the story and revealing character.

PERFORMERS OF ALL LEVELS WELCOME!
Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced

NYCSS focuses on grounding fights in martial reality to create action that is highly realistic and reveals character as an integral part of the story. Actors learn how violence builds from the written scene and enhances the story being told. The application of skill in a safe environment is extremely important in this art. Learn the relevant skills and professionalism needed to work in our ever expanding and demanding industry. This week of training is perfect not only for Stage and Screen actors, but performers of all disciplines including Dancers and Opera singers! Daily subject matter will draw from classical and contemporary material from both stage and film/tv to study a variety of dramatic and comedic situations.

* It’s not enough to be able to perform it. You must be able to replicate it. *

The live performance on Friday & Saturday night gives you instant feedback from an audience. This way you know when the tools you’ve learnt have been successfully utilized. Instructors will provide feedback after each performance in order to facilitate your growth and training in dramatic violence.

What Does a Day at the Intensive Look Like?

Check out an example schedule!

(This year's schedule may vary)

The Training

– NYCSS Foundations for Performing Violence

– Train at YOUR level! Beginner, Intermediate, & Advanced levels

Potential Areas to Train

– Unarmed

-Falls & Rolls

– Knife

– Swordwork (Saber, Rapier, Longsword)

The Performances

– Show off skills in TWO NYC Fight Showcase Performances

– Cast in multiple fight scenes

– Professional Fight Directors oversee the creation, rehearsal, and production of scenes

– Choreography & Scene Work sessions every day

– Performance = Practical Application of skills to solidify what you’ve learned

– TWO performances to learn the energy & awareness needed for fight performance

– Build your resume with a NYC acting/combat credit!

Summer Performance Intensive

Our annual week-long stage and screen combat summer performance intensive is a powerful opportunity for actors and fighters to elevate their skills.

Deanna Easton

NYCSS is an incredibly welcoming community of stage and screen fighters! I love training with them and learning swordwork inspired by both historical techniques and fantasy combat.

Greg Renner

The instructors at NYCSS offer training to people of all levels, and with a level of involvement that stands out amongst other workshops that I've done in the past. These wonderful people work HARD to impart their knowledge and experience of stage and sceeen combat unto their students, and it is a BLAST to participate. After taking part in the Summer Intensive 2026, learning the basics with several kinds of weapons (as well as practicing unarmed fight choreo), I absolutely recommend taking classes with NYCSS to anyone who wants to train in fight choreography!!

Chase Cownden

Best place in NYC to train in fight choreography! Jared and the crew have been doing this a long time, and have trained across multiple disciplines. I highly recommend you check them out!

Cait M

NYCSS has an incredible group of instructors/directors and members that make it a welcoming professional environment. They successfully create a safe and fun space for actors at every level to push themselves and become better at their craft! The summer intensive was so worth the time and money, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to add skills to their resume.

Mabon Gibson

I’ve trained with them for a while and not only is it an open and friendly environment but the skills I gained have landed me a few jobs!

Brad Cashman

I've been working with NYCSS as an actor for years. I started when I needed to get good at fighting with a quarter-staff in a matter of weeks. Since then, this is my first stop whenever I feel out of shape as an actor or in need of specific training for an upcoming project. I just did a check-in with instructors Kaitlyn & Adam to review some fight choreo before going on set for FBI! The script indicated there may be a scuffle, so I reached out for a quick private lesson to brush up. I showed up on set prepared and ready for whatever came my way!

Jonathan Strayer

NYCSS is an amazing group of people with incredible skills. Professional production work, great instructional skills for any age or skill level. I trained with them for years. They are my go to when directing a show!

Aaron Orensky

Excellent training opportunities.

John Lennox

NYCSS is one of the best places to acquire the skills and training for combat for stage and screen in the United states. Top notch instruction and exceedingly qualified instructors.

Verified by Trustindex

Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more