Cody Swanson (He/Him/His)

Cody, a die hard Cleveland, Ohio fan and native, first got interested with stage combat during a production of Romeo & Juliet he was apart of in 2007, choreographed by John Davis. From there, at his performing arts high school in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, he was taught more technique by CT Dusten Welch. Performance credits in Cleveland include Assassins and Noises Off at Lakeland Civic Theatre, Julius Caesar, Romeo & Juliet, and Hamlet, with Cleveland Shakespeare Festival, and A Christmas Story at The Cleveland Play House, to name just a few. 

 In the fall of 2011, Cody started training under Charles Conwell, -CT and FD with the SAFD- at his stage combat program at The University of the Arts, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Performance credits in Philadelphia include Kiss Me, Kate, She Loves Me, Side ShowO' Beautiful, and The 39 Steps at The University of the Arts, and Don Giovanni at Opera Philadelphia. 

Now, back in Cleveland with a BFA in Acting and a minor in Musical Theatre from UArts, Cody is back to work in Cleveland's vibrant theatre community, and is fortunate enough to have taught for 5 years at his performing arts high school, along side his past teachers, now colleagues.  

Cody has choreographed violence for various schools and theaters across Northeast Ohio including Lake Erie College, Mayfield High School, Cassidy Theatre, Highland High School, The Access Theatre Project, The Academy for the Performing Arts, and The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival.  He currently teaches with The Fairmount Center for the Arts in Novelty Ohio, and with Near West Theatre in Cleveland.   


Skill Proficiency History

Date Weapon Location Grade

CPH/CWRU Skills Proficiency Day

Feb 4, 2023 Single Sword Cleveland, Ohio Recommended Pass
Feb 4, 2023 Broadsword Cleveland, Ohio Recommended Pass

2022 CWRU test

Mar 12, 2022 Rapier and Dagger Cleveland, Ohio Recommended Pass
Mar 12, 2022 Quarterstaff Cleveland, Ohio Recommended Pass
Mar 12, 2022 Knife Cleveland, Ohio Recommended Pass

Cleveland SPR

Sep 22, 2021 Small Sword Cleveland, Ohio Recommended Pass
Sep 22, 2021 Broadsword and Shield Cleveland, Ohio Recommended Pass

Allegheny Alley Fight STUDENT TEST

May 11, 2019 Unarmed West Mifflin, Pennsylvania Recommended Pass
May 11, 2019 Broadsword West Mifflin, Pennsylvania Recommended Pass

Philadelphia Stage Combat Workshop

Oct 2, 2015 Single Sword Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Basic Pass
Oct 2, 2015 Knife Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Basic Pass

University of the Arts

May 5, 2015 Broadsword Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Basic Pass
May 5, 2015 Small Sword Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Basic Pass
May 5, 2015 Broadsword and Shield Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Basic Pass
May 5, 2015 Quarterstaff Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Basic Pass
May 5, 2015 Rapier and Dagger Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Recommended Pass
May 5, 2015 Unarmed Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Recommended Pass
May 8, 2014 Single Sword Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Basic Pass
May 8, 2014 Small Sword Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Basic Pass
May 8, 2014 Quarterstaff Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Basic Pass
May 8, 2014 Broadsword and Shield Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Recommended Pass
May 4, 2013 Broadsword Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Recommended Pass
May 4, 2013 Rapier and Dagger Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Recommended Pass
May 4, 2013 Knife Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Recommended Pass
May 4, 2013 Unarmed Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Recommended Pass