SAFD - Society of American Fight Directors
The premier organization for theatrical combat training and certification in the United States
Overview
The Society of American Fight Directors is the leading organization dedicated to promoting safety and excellence in staged combat for theatre, film, and television. SAFD offers a certification program that is widely recognized across the industry as the standard for fight performance skills.
Through SAFD workshops, actors can train in disciplines including unarmed combat, rapier and dagger, broadsword, quarterstaff, and knife fighting. Certified teachers and fight masters lead intensive workshops that culminate in skills proficiency tests.
How It Works
SAFD certification is a valuable credential for actors seeking roles that involve physical combat, and many theatre companies and film productions specifically look for SAFD-trained performers. The organization also hosts an annual National Stage Combat Workshop.
Membership costs approximately seventy-five dollars per year and provides access to the SAFD community, job board, and reduced rates on workshops. Workshop tuition varies depending on the event and location.
Who Uses It
Joining SAFD is a smart investment for actors who want to add stage combat skills to their repertoire. Even a basic certification can open doors to roles and gigs that require physical performance ability. The organization's alumni network includes fight directors and choreographers who work on Broadway, regional theatre, and major film and television productions, providing a direct pipeline to professional opportunities. SAFD certification is frequently listed as a preferred or required qualification in casting breakdowns for roles involving physical combat, making it one of the most practical credentials an actor can earn.
Pricing & Plans
SAFD membership costs approximately seventy-five dollars per year, which provides access to the organization's community, job listings, and discounted workshop rates. Workshop tuition varies by event, with regional workshops typically ranging from three hundred to six hundred dollars for a multi-day intensive, and the National Stage Combat Workshop costing between eight hundred and fifteen hundred dollars depending on housing and meal options. Skills proficiency test fees are additional and generally run between fifty and one hundred dollars per weapon discipline. Compared to private combat training at seventy-five to one hundred fifty dollars per hour, SAFD workshops offer a more structured and cost-effective path to formal certification. The investment is significant but delivers a recognized credential that has tangible career value, unlike informal combat training that lacks industry-standard validation. Student discounts and payment plans are sometimes available for specific events, so checking early registration options can reduce costs.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
SAFD's greatest strength is the industry-wide recognition of its certification system, which gives actors a credible and verifiable way to demonstrate their stage combat competence to directors and choreographers. The training is led by certified teachers and fight masters who bring professional production experience to their instruction, ensuring that what you learn in workshops translates directly to set and stage conditions. The progressive certification structure, with multiple weapon disciplines and skill levels, provides a clear path for ongoing development rather than a single pass-fail credential. The organization's annual National Stage Combat Workshop is a premier networking and training event that connects aspiring fight performers with established industry professionals. SAFD's emphasis on safety is a major asset, as directors and producers specifically trust SAFD-trained performers to execute combat choreography without endangering themselves or their scene partners.
What Could Be Better
The cost of attending SAFD workshops, especially the National Stage Combat Workshop, can be a significant financial barrier for actors on tight budgets, particularly when factoring in travel, lodging, and meals in addition to tuition. Workshop schedules are concentrated around specific dates and locations, which means actors who cannot take time away from their regular commitments may struggle to attend. The certification process requires testing in each weapon discipline separately, meaning building a comprehensive combat resume takes multiple workshops and considerable time. SAFD certification is heavily theatre-oriented, and while it transfers well to film and television, actors seeking specifically film-style stunt training may need supplementary training outside the SAFD framework. The organization's reach is strongest in urban theatre markets and university programs, and actors in smaller or more rural markets may find fewer local SAFD-certified teachers and fewer opportunities to apply their training. Additionally, certification must be maintained through periodic re-testing, adding an ongoing commitment of time and money.
Our Recommendation
SAFD is the right choice for theatre actors who regularly encounter roles involving staged combat and want a formal credential that casting directors and fight choreographers recognize and trust. It is also valuable for film and television actors who want a strong foundation in safe, choreographed physical performance that can be adapted to on-camera work. Actors who are primarily interested in stunt work for action films may find SAFD useful as a starting point but should plan to supplement it with stunt-specific training covering high falls, wire work, and vehicle sequences that are outside SAFD's scope. If you are a student or early-career actor, pursuing SAFD certification while still in training is an efficient way to add a marketable skill before entering the professional world. For actors who do not anticipate roles involving physical combat, the time and financial investment may not be justified, and focusing on other skills would be a better use of resources.
Pro Tips
Start with the most universally applicable weapon discipline, typically unarmed combat, as your first SAFD certification, since it is the most frequently called for in auditions and productions. Register for workshops well in advance, as popular events and preferred time slots fill up quickly, and early registration often comes with a discounted rate. Treat your SAFD workshops as networking opportunities as well as training events, since the teachers, fight masters, and fellow participants are the people who will recommend you for future fight choreography work. Practice your certified skills regularly between workshops to maintain proficiency, as skills degrade quickly without consistent rehearsal. List your SAFD certifications prominently on your acting resume under a special skills section, specifying each weapon discipline and your certification level. When auditioning for roles that involve combat, mention your SAFD training directly to the director or choreographer, as this immediately signals that you can be trusted to perform safely and professionally.