2023 Associate Instructors
Skye Bronfenbrenner
Skye currently lives in Houston, TX where she graduated with an MFA in Acting from the Professional Actor Training Program at the University of Houston. She currently teaches BFA Movement and Combat for the Stage at the University of Houston and has taught similar coursework at HSPVA (High School for the Visual and Performing Arts), Rice University and Houston Grand Opera's Young Artist's Vocal Academy. She is an actor, director, and fight and intimacy director in Houston and her work has been seen at Stages Repertory Theatre, Catastrophic Theatre, Rec Room Arts, Thunderclap Productions, Rice University (Department of Visual and Dramatic Arts, Shepherd School of Music/Opera), and University of Houston (School for Theatre and Dance, Moores School of Music).
Kate Peters
Kate Peters is a fight choreographer and stage manager based in Minneapolis, MN. Originally from Indiana, Kate got her BA in Theatre from Indiana University, where she began training in stage combat. Since moving to Minnesota, Kate has become an Advanced Actor Combatant through the Society of American Fight Directors and choreographed and performed fights for such organizations as Minnesota Renaissance Festival, Lakeshore Players Theatre, Human Combat Chess, and Six Elements Theatre. She has assisted with SPT classes through Art in Arms since 2019. When not holding a sword, you can find her tending to her plant collection and playing tabletop games with friends.
Michael Saubert, Jr
A Chicago based Actor, stuntman, and Choreographer, Michael has a BFA in Performance from The University of Illinois at Chicago. Michael is a founding member of Open Gate Movement Arts: a training organization bringing accessible stage combat training to the Chicagoland area. Michael trains at the Actors Gymnasium under Fight Master Chuck Coyl and is one of his assistants. Michael is also a member of two motion capture teams for Netherrealm Studios and Raven Studios. Michael recently can be seen in Mortal Kombat 11, Mortal Kombat Aftermath, Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War, and Call of Duty Vanguard. Michael is a regular practitioner of Shaolin Kung Fu and Sanda.
Matthew Smith
Matthew "Mittens" Smith is a Certified Teacher with Dueling Arts International as well as an active member of the Society of American Directors. Matt is an actor focused instructor and choreographer dedicated to telling meaningful and impactful stories through choreographed violence. He has his Masters in Acting from Wayne State University and is an active practitioner of Viking Martial Arts.
Bill Gordon
Since graduating from Northern Illinois University with his M.F.A. in Acting, he has found a niche in the world of stage combat. He is currently pursuing his Certified Teacher status with the Society of American Fight Directors. Recent combat credits include, Fight Captain for Fair Maid of the West at Oak Park Festival Theatre and Fight choreography for Yippee Ki Yay: A Diehard Musical Parody with Yippee Productions, Wolves, Treefall, Very Still and Hard to See with Exit 63, Joan and the Fire, Lipstick Lobotomy, Princess Ivona, Tango, Love and Information, Monsieur D'eon is a Woman, They, and Occidental Express at Trap Door Theatre, Love Talker and 27 Wagons Full of Cotton with Muse Theatre Collective, Peter Pan, Not About Nightingales, Steele for Hyre, and numerous fights at the Bristol Renaissance Faire.
Joe Wright
Joe is an Advanced Actor-Combatant with the SAFD and Fight Directors Canada, as well as a co-director/co-founder and trainer for Theatrica Gladiatoria (based out of Ypsilanti, Michigan). When not doing the fake fighting thing he's typically found coaching fencing, teaching kids movement through parkour (and also fake fighting), or doing the personal trainer thing. In his free time he loves to travel around and find the best, cheapest pizza-by-the-slice random stores have to offer.
