Learn to perform fight choreography
safely and confidently.
Free Consultation & Facility Tour
Come meet the Swordplay LA community and check out our state of the art training facility. Schedule a free twenty minute consultation with an instructor. This includes a tour of our facility & training weapons plus a consultation to discuss training options to design a custom plan to help you reach your career goals!
Some places you have seen us…
And Much More!
Our Film Fighting & Weapons Training Program for Actors will help you achieve your personal and professional goals.
Our curriculum is structured to help build the complete action actor, expand movements of motion capture performers, or stunt performers looking to brush up on their fight choreography. Swordplay LA offers drop in classes as well as monthly workshops that will take you through a series of weapons and hand-to-hand onscreen combat techniques, including swords, knives, longsword, whips and much more. We offer free consultations for actors who are interested! Check out our classes, upcoming workshop dates and more below! No contracts! Take advantage of our membership plan or just pay the drop-in fee.
Our Curriculum
Bronze
The journey begins here. In this level, actors will learn the fundamentals of single sword combat using weapons such as cutlass, sabre, rapier, and broadsword. You will also be introduced to the basics of hand to hand combat screen fighting techniques and learn about safety protocols to ensure safe training. Actors will also begin to expand their movement base, enhance general athleticism and sharpen their hand-eye coordination.
Gold
Take the next step on your action actor quest. Intermediate level is designed for actors who want to have a grasp on fundamentals but want to go further. Students will learn how to effectively wield weapons such as sword & shield, dual cutlass, and sword & dagger. Students will also learn more complicated close quarter combat techniques and introduction to knife fighting! Performers will explore multi-person fight choreography all while maintaining safety protocol.
Diamond
The diamond level challenges actors to explore character creation in combat, helping students develop unique and compelling characters for action scenes. Students will also participate in action scene breakdowns, allowing them to analyze and recreate complex fight scenes. Additionally, the course covers faster paced armed & unarmed fight choreography and provides opportunities for students to work on group filming projects, applying their skills in a collaborative setting.
How Does it Work?
Take any class that corresponds with your level! It is as simple as that. If you are unsure what level you would be or which class to take first, book a free consultation and a tour of our facility with one of our instructors and we can make a recommendation for you. Check out our class schedule below!
Book Your Class
Pricing
$25 ($5 discount for SAG AFTRA)
Single Drop-in Class
This is for actors with a constantly changing schedule! We understand the demand of the industry. Just pay the $25 drop-in fee and take any class. There are no gear rental fees. No add-ons. No monthly contracts. Pay as you go. This does not include open floor.
$80/month
One class a week & free open floor.
Take any one class a week you would like. We offer classes every single evening so you won’t miss out on any of your training. Save $5 per class! This membership includes free open floor.
$160/month
Two classes a week & free open floor.
Take any two classes a week that correspond with your experience level. This membership also includes free open floor. Save up to $10 per class! This is our most popular plan.
$240/month
Three classes a week & free open floor.
Take any three classes a week that correspond with your experience level. This membership also includes free open floor. Save up to $15 per class!
$10 Guild Hours (Open Floor)
Our open floor is $10 (non-members) for a 2 hour session. Come train in our facility, use our gear and have access to our editing station to edit your content if you choose. Great time to make friends and train what you want!
$90/hr Private Lesson
Work with one of our instructors in a one-on-one setting to fine tune skills and techniques. This is also appropriate for audition prep, reel design/ choreography, and much more. These can be at our facility or at-home. Travel rates may apply.
Meet Your Coaches
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Mary Sola Spohn
Owner of Swordplay LA
SWORDS, FENCING & WEAPONS TRAINERBackground: Olympic Foil Fencing (20+ years), Western-style swords, Filipino martial arts, Boxing
This program is a unique blend of the old and the new, where tradition meets the contemporary. Mary is the owner of Swordplay LA and has over 20 years of experience in fencing, earning multiple national medals and a NCAA Division 1 fencing scholarship. She has worked as a stunt actor, choreographer, and trainer, specializing in onscreen swords and fencing and fight choreography. Mary has trained A-List celebrity talent, Academy Award winning actors, Olympic athletes, and child film/television stars, and is committed to creating safe and inclusive spaces for all actors to feel confident onscreen. She has a collaborative and adaptable approach to her training sessions and work on sets. Mary's fencing mastery and athletic background inform her training style, which is based on the fundamentals of realistic blade work and believable combat.
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Casey Lloyd
SWORDS TRAINER
Background: Western-style swords & Stage Combat
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Alizabeth Duncan
MOVEMENT TRAINER
Background: Judo & gymnastics
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Timothy Mauritz
THEATRICAL COMBAT TRAINER
Background: Wrestling & Circus
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Bailey Fatool
SWORDS & WEAPONS TRAINER
Background: Historical European Martial Arts, Fencing, Muay Thai, Parkour
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Jeff Budner
SWORDS & WEAPONS TRAINER
Background: Western- style swords, Shinkendo, Whips
Our Students Love Us
“I had the great fortune to train with Mary for an upcoming role. Her expertise in all periods of sword fighting allowed her to select the historically correct blade and stance whilst also adding fun flair and choreography to establish a believable competent base for the movie.”
— Ricky Whittle (American Gods, The 100s)
“Swordplay LA is one of the most unique places I have ever been to. And as a martial artist, I have been to many. The staff here is very friendly and they certainly know what they're doing. They have a very flexible schedule and all sorts of programs for performers who are just beginning. And for the amount that you learn and the benefits you achieve, the prices are very reasonable.”
— Juvi G. - Actor
“Like anywhere, you get out of it what you put in. The more you practice, the more you sell it, the better you're going to be, no one can do it for you. The difference is having teachers that know how to guide you and who safely push your boundaries to be a better performer, and that's what you have here. Every time I come out of Swordplay LA, I'm exhausted, sweaty, and sore in places that I didn't know were possible, but it is without fail the highlight of my week.”
— Phil B. - Actor
“Swordplay LA is an amazing place to go. As an actor, I am so grateful to work with Mary Spohn because she has given me the skills to learn about screen fighting in a safe and confident way.”
— Sophie Nack (Legion, The Chronicles of Jessica Wu, Henry Danger)
Weapons Workshops for Actors
Upcoming Workshop Dates: TBD
Our Stunt Weapons Workshop for Actors is a monthly event that is a must-attend for performers looking to safely and effectively handle weapons on stage and screen. This workshop will teach you the proper techniques for wielding a variety of weapons, including long swords, sword and shield, axe and shield, dual wielding, knives, cutlasses, small sword, katana, sabres, and more. In addition to hands-on training, the workshop will also feature discussion and informational sessions on building an action reel, branding yourself as an actor, and how to continue/get the most out of training. If you want to add a new dimension to your performances, cultivate skills on your acting resumé, and stand out as a versatile actor, be sure to sign up for our next Fight Choreography Weapons Workshop. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your acting career to the next level! Email us at office@splafencing.com to sign up!
FAQs
What should I expect in beginner classes?
Each class is structured a little differently to give them their own unique training experience. But what you can expect is a run through of some basic techniques for each weapon covered in each class as well as the industry standard safety rules assigned to each weapon. Then we will apply the techniques covered in class in choreography.
Do you use real firearms or blanks in your Firearms Class?
No. Swordplay LA will never use real firearms, live ammo, or blanks.
Do I need combat experience to take your classes?
You do not need any experience. These courses are designed for different levels of performers and you can jump in at any point.
How long should I take your classes until I can add these skills to my acting resumé?
There is no such thing as, “I’ll learn it on the day of filming.” Just like any skill, screen combat takes a lot of time to learn. This is not the type of skill that you want to take risks with. Safety is the number one priority. Lying about skills on your resumé puts you and your fellow performers in a potentially unsafe situation. While everyone learns at different paces we strongly encourage you to keep practicing! Even the pros never stop training.
What can I do with the footage you take in class? Can I add it to my reel?
Class is class. We videotape fights for educational purposes only and for you to track your progression. We strongly discourage you to use class videos for your reels. This can create a competitive dynamic in class and we want to keep to keep it a fun and safe, learning environment.
I have my own training weapons. Can I bring them?
No please leave your gear at home. We will provide everything. The only exceptions are pads, which are only used in advanced class.
Why train at Swordplay LA?
Some of the most memorable sword fights - performed by legends like Errol Flynn, Basil Rathbone, and Tyrone Power and choreographed by sword masters and fight directors like Bob Anderson, William Hobbs, Ralph Faulkner, and Fred Cavens - all share a foundation in fencing. Fencing cultivates expertise in weapon control, timing, tempo, and balance that translate to memorable onscreen combat performances. Led by Mary Sola Spohn, the program at Swordplay LA has found the connection between fencing and weapons combat - a connection that is taught in a way that is digestible for performers of all skill levels.
This program is a unique blend of the old and the new, where tradition meets the contemporary. Mary’s extensive fencing background paved the way for her to seamlessly learn - and eventually train and perform - fight choreography, sword combat, and firearm tactical skills.
What is your cancellation policy?
Please Cancel 24 hours in advance!