Melissa Freilich (She/Her/Hers)

Certified Teacher

Melissa Freilich is a director, fight choreographer and teacher located in Baltimore, MD.  In addition to being a certified teacher with the SAFD, she is an Instructor with Dueling Arts International.  She is a certified Alexander Technique teacher and recognized member of the American Society for the Alexander Technique (AmSAT).  She trained under Jane Heirich in Ann Arbor MI.  Her MFA is in Performance Pedagogy from Virginia Commonwealth University and her BA is in Theatre and Classics from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.  Directing credits include Ada and the EngineArcadiaA Year without a Panto ClausIn the Next RoomSummer CannibalsEurydice, Yentl (asst.), and Clybourne Park (asst.).  Fight choreography includes Fences, Romeo and JulietCabaretTrue WestOthelloTreasure IslandThe Three MusketeersAn Almost British ChristmasCut It OutBloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, The Pillowman, and Fool for Love.     


Skill Proficiency History

Date Weapon Location Grade

Fire & Ice/Flying V Sword & Shield SPT - Spring 2024

Dec 10, 2024 Broadsword and Shield Bethesda, Maryland Recommended Pass

Chesapeake Shakespeare Company Unarmed SPT December 2024

Dec 8, 2024 Unarmed Baltimore, Maryland Recommended Pass

Great Lakers Spring/Summer 2021

Jun 27, 2021 Knife Chatfield, Minnesota Recommended Pass
Jun 27, 2021 Unarmed Chatfield, Minnesota Recommended Pass

CISCO 2019

May 31, 2019 Small Sword Eureka, Illinois Recommended Pass
May 31, 2019 Rapier and Dagger Eureka, Illinois Recommended Pass

CISCO TFSC 2019

May 25, 2019 Firearm Eureka, Illinois Recommended Pass

Virginia Commonwealth University BFA

Dec 3, 2018 Unarmed Richmond, Virginia Recommended Pass
Dec 3, 2018 Knife Richmond, Virginia Basic Pass

CISCO 2018 SiS and QS

Jun 1, 2018 Single Sword Macomb, Illinois Recommended Pass
Jun 1, 2018 Small Sword Macomb, Illinois Recommended Pass
Jun 1, 2018 Broadsword Macomb, Illinois Recommended Pass
Jun 1, 2018 Broadsword and Shield Macomb, Illinois Recommended Pass
Jun 1, 2018 Quarterstaff Macomb, Illinois Recommended Pass

CISCO 2018 TFSC

Jun 1, 2018 Firearm Macomb, Illinois Recommended Pass

Worlds Stage Combat Certification

Aug 23, 2016 Small Sword Toronto, Ontario Recommended Pass
Aug 23, 2016 Broadsword Toronto, Ontario Recommended Pass
Aug 23, 2016 Rapier and Dagger Toronto, Ontario Basic Pass
Aug 23, 2016 Unarmed Toronto, Ontario Basic Pass
Aug 23, 2016 Knife Toronto, Ontario Basic Pass

Rapier and Dagger Renewal

Jun 11, 2016 Rapier and Dagger Minneapolis, Minnesota Recommended Pass

2015 NSCW - AACW & Interns

Jul 10, 2015 Quarterstaff Winston-Salem, North Carolina Recommended Pass
Jul 10, 2015 Knife Winston-Salem, North Carolina Recommended Pass

CISCO 2015

Jun 6, 2015 Small Sword Eureka, Illinois Recommended Pass
Jun 6, 2015 Broadsword and Shield Eureka, Illinois Recommended Pass

PD SPR @ MACE ACI

Jan 7, 2015 Broadsword Chicago, Illinois Recommended Pass
Jan 7, 2015 Unarmed Chicago, Illinois Recommended Pass

Eureka College

Jun 6, 2014 Quarterstaff Eureka, Illinois Basic Pass
Jun 6, 2014 Single Sword Eureka, Illinois Recommended Pass

Central Illinois Stage Combat Workshop

Jun 7, 2013 Knife Eureka, Illinois Basic Pass
Jun 7, 2013 Broadsword and Shield Eureka, Illinois Basic Pass
Jun 7, 2013 Single Sword Eureka, Illinois Recommended Pass
Jun 7, 2013 Rapier and Dagger Eureka, Illinois Recommended Pass
Jun 3, 2011 Single Sword Eureka, Illinois Basic Pass
Jun 3, 2011 Broadsword and Shield Eureka, Illinois Basic Pass

Fight or Flight Academy

Jan 5, 2013 Rapier and Dagger St. Charles, Illinois Recommended Pass
Jan 8, 2012 Broadsword Chicago, Illinois Recommended Pass
Jan 8, 2012 Unarmed Chicago, Illinois Recommended Pass

MACE - Movement and Combat Education

Jan 4, 2013 Quarterstaff Saint Charles, Illinois Recommended Pass

Central Illinois Stage Combat Workshop 2012

Jun 3, 2012 Small Sword Eureka, Illinois Recommended Pass
Jun 3, 2012 Quarterstaff Eureka, Illinois Recommended Pass

Drake University

Nov 20, 2011 Knife Des Moines, Iowa Recommended Pass