Monsters, Magic and Mayhem

Instructors

Randy Messersmith

SAG/AFTRA

Randy has taught acting for film for AZ Actor’s Academy, Arizona State University, Mira Costa Community College, Scottsdale School of Film + Theatre, Phoenix College, Glendale Community College, Desert Mountain High School and for the professional summer acting training program Scottsdale Conservatory Theatre. He studied acting with a variety of incredible teachers including Albert Pertalion, Peter Sander, Uta Hagen, Roger Simon, John Basil, Patrick Tucker and John Barton.  After working in New York City for 5 years as an actor and director appearing on daytime television series such as All My Children, Another World, and Guiding Light, as well as in commercials, industrial videos, karaoke videos and indie films,  AZ called him to start an outdoor Shakespeare Festival in Mesa in 1992, where for the past 30 years he has worked in a variety of entertainment media and wearing a variety of hats, most recently as writer/producer/co-director/actor of his film Saving Faith, currently appearing at film festivals around the country and internationally  in 2022 and 2023, produced by his new film production company, Luckystory Productions, LLC founded in 2020.

Randy's imdb

Rachelle Dart

Rachelle Dart is a theatre maker, traditional storyteller and teaching artist . Dart holds a Bachelors in Theatre, is a certified teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework®, and is an Advanced Actor Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors. Dart trained in storytelling under Liz Weir, MBE and together they received the JJ Reneaux Mentorship Award. She has told stories at National Storytelling Festival, Grapevine Storytelling, The Slice Storytelling and more. Previous acting roles include Henry V – Henry V (Ronin Theatre) EN: 2021 (Ren Gyo Soh), Edgar – King Lear, Benvio – Romeo and Juliet, Olivia -Twelfth Night (Southwest Shakespeare Compacy), John Wesley Powell in Men on Boats (ASU). A Zoni-nominated Fight Choreographer, their previous choreography includes Gloria, Fairview (Stray Cat), Hamlet, Midsummer Night’s Dream (Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival), Richard II, Antony and Cleopatra, (Southwest Shakespeare Company), Othello (Ssc/Harlem Shakespeare Festival), Romeo and Juliet (GCC).

Stage Combat for Character

Playwriting Workshop

Monsters, Magic and Mayhem

Day 1: Friday, February 23rd, 6:30pm-10:00pm MST
Day 2: Saturday, February 24th 10:00am-2:00pm MST

General Students: $225 | Enrolled (AZAA) Students: $200

AZAA presents our most thrilling stage combat intensive yet! Co-teachers Randy Messersmith and Rachelle Dart invite you on a quest into the exciting world of Hollywood Fantasy Fighting!  Walk away – whether you live or die! — with practical skills to apply to your next adventure:
•  Experiment  with a variety of physical and vocal transformation techniques
• Create an original creature/character that must vanquish an all-powerful foe
• Demonstrate a knowledge of a variety of safe combat techniques and weapon styles
• Devise original fight choreography based on character motivation
• Dramatize a fight to the death between two rival combatants
This workshop needs everyone:  all body types, experience levels, disabilities, ethnicities, gender identities, and gender expressions are welcome and encouraged to attend.

No Class in 2025 Is Scheduled