SAFD - Society of American Fight Directors

The Society of American Fight Directors is the leading organization dedicated to promoting safety and excellence in stage combat and theatrical violence in the United States. They certify fight directors, fight choreographers, and actors through a rigorous skill proficiency testing system.

SAFD membership gives you access to workshops, regional events, the National Stage Combat Workshop, and a network of certified teachers across the country. Their adjudicated Skills Proficiency Tests in multiple weapon disciplines are the industry standard for demonstrating combat ability.

The organization maintains a directory of certified fight directors whom producers and directors hire to choreograph violence for stage and screen. Being trained and certified through SAFD connects you to this professional network.

Annual membership costs approximately $75, which includes access to their publications, events, and the certification testing system. Workshop and testing fees are separate and vary by event and location.

If you are serious about adding stage combat to your skill set, SAFD certification is the credential that directors and fight choreographers recognize. The training also builds discipline, trust, and precision that improve your overall acting work. The organization has been the standard-bearer for theatrical combat safety in the United States since 1977, and its certification levels are understood and respected across the professional theater, film, and television industries. Beyond individual certification, SAFD membership connects you to a community of fight directors, choreographers, and trained actor-combatants who form a professional network that can lead to work opportunities.

SAFD annual membership costs approximately $75 for full members, with discounted rates of around $45 for students enrolled in accredited theater programs. Skills Proficiency Test fees run approximately $50-100 per weapon discipline and are paid separately from membership dues. The National Stage Combat Workshop, held annually and lasting one to three weeks, costs $1,200-3,500 depending on the session length and whether housing is included. Regional workshops organized by local SAFD chapters are more affordable, typically $150-400 for weekend intensives, and offer excellent training value closer to home. Compared to obtaining certifications in other specialized performance skills, SAFD certification is reasonably priced, though the cumulative cost of training across all eight weapon disciplines can add up to several thousand dollars over time. The membership fee is comparable to other professional organization dues in the performing arts, such as the Voice and Speech Trainers Association or the Association for Theatre Movement Educators, and provides similar networking and professional development benefits.

SAFD membership is strongly recommended for any actor who wants to pursue stage combat seriously, as the certification is the industry standard and the network it provides is invaluable for finding training and work opportunities. If you are a theater actor in a major market, the membership essentially pays for itself through access to reduced-rate regional workshops and the professional credibility that certified status provides. Film and television actors should consider SAFD training as a strong foundation but plan to supplement it with screen-specific combat training and stunt skills if they want to be competitive for action-oriented roles on camera. Actors who are casually interested in combat skills but not ready to commit to full certification might start by attending a single SAFD workshop before joining as a member to see whether the training appeals to them. If you are a student in an MFA or BFA acting program, take advantage of the discounted student membership rate and pursue as many Skills Proficiency Tests as possible while you have access to regular training through your program. For actors outside the US, the SAFD is the American equivalent; comparable organizations like the British Academy of Stage and Screen Combat or Fight Directors Canada serve those respective markets.

Join before the National Stage Combat Workshop registration opens each year, as member discounts and early registration access can save you significant money on the most popular sessions. When preparing for a Skills Proficiency Test, train with your test partner for a minimum of 20-30 hours in the weapon discipline being tested, as the adjudicators expect polished, safe, performance-quality fight choreography, not a rough rehearsal. Attend regional workshops even in disciplines you have already tested in, because retesting every three years requires you to stay sharp, and workshops provide the repetition and coaching needed to maintain proficiency. Network actively at SAFD events by introducing yourself to certified fight directors and asking about their upcoming projects, as many hire actor-combatants they have trained with or met through the organization. Keep your certification status current on your Actors Access, Casting Networks, and personal website profiles, and specify which weapon disciplines you are certified in rather than simply listing stage combat as a generic skill. If your goal is eventually to become a fight director or choreographer rather than just a skilled actor-combatant, discuss the advancement pathway with current certified teachers at SAFD events to understand the time, training, and mentorship requirements involved.