The Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) is the nationally recognized authority promoting safety and fostering excellence in the art of violence in theater and film production. The SAFD was founded in the late 1970’s by a male collective working in the entertainment industry. Of the 118 certified teachers of the SAFD in the US, only 19 are women, many of whom teach at colleges and universities across the country. The first female teacher was recently inducted into the College of Fight Masters, the highest ranking position in this organization.
Recently six women were named certified teachers by the SAFD. Four hold positions at American colleges and universities.
Marianne Kubik is an associate professor and head of movement in the department of drama at the University of Virginia. She holds a master of fine arts degree in theater education with an emphasis in movement from the Boston University College of Arts. She also earned a master’s degree in drama from Tufts University.
Jenny Male is assistant professor of theatre, coordinator of musical theatre at Howard Community College in Columbia, Maryland. In 2002, she earned a master of fine arts degree in theatre pedagogy from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Cara Rawlings is an assistant professor of movement and acting in the department of theatre and cinema at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg. Previously, she taught at the University of Miami. She holds a master of fine arts degree in movement pedagogy from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Andrea Robertson is head of theater and an adjunct professor in the theatre department at Paradise Valley Community College in Phoenix, Arizona. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a master of fine arts degree from Western Illinois University.