"Nell Blackwoodson" (Eleanor Sampson) (She/Her/Hers)

Advanced Actor-Combatant, Associate Instructor at Art In Arms, LLC

Nell is an Advanced Actor/Combatant based in the Twin Cities, MN. She is an Associate Instructor for the independent stage combat school Art in Arms, LLC, which provides stage combat training in the form of SPTs and supplemental workshops year-round. She is also a perennial performer and sometimes choreographer for Combat Chess United - a stage combat focused sports entertainment performance. Nell has choreographed for Fearless Comedy Productions, Combat Chess United, and the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, and assisted choreographers Dave Schneider and FD Mike Lubke at Breck Performing Arts High School, Hamline University, and Southwest High School. She has assisted and been an intern at workshops from Alleghany Alley Fight to Winter Wonderland Workshop, with several more assistant and intern opportunities paused by the pandemic. By trade Nell is a licensed massage therapist specializing in athletic bodywork, and a folk dance teacher. She is interested in training, choreography, and teaching opportunities at home and elsewhere in stage combat, stunts, pedagogy, and intimacy for the stage and screen.


Skill Proficiency History

Date Weapon Location Grade

AIA Fall 2023

Dec 17, 2023 Unarmed Saint Paul, Minnesota Recommended Pass
Dec 17, 2023 Knife Saint Paul, Minnesota Recommended Pass
Dec 17, 2023 Rapier and Dagger Saint Paul, Minnesota Recommended Pass

2022 Philadelphia Stage Combat Workshop SPT/SPR

Nov 18, 2022 Quarterstaff Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Basic Pass

Brawl of America - Renewals

May 27, 2022 Rapier and Dagger Minneapolis, Minnesota Basic Pass

AIA Fall 2021

Dec 20, 2021 Small Sword Saint Paul, Minnesota Basic Pass

MN December Test 2019

Dec 13, 2019 Quarterstaff Saint Paul, Minnesota Basic Pass

Brawl of America 2019

May 24, 2019 Broadsword and Shield Minneapolis, Minnesota Recommended Pass

Alleghany Alley Fight STAFF TEST

May 11, 2019 Broadsword West Mifflin, Pennsylvania Basic Pass

Winter Wonderland Workshop

Jan 11, 2019 Rapier and Dagger Chicago, Illinois Basic Pass

MN December '18 SPT

Dec 7, 2018 Rapier and Dagger minneapolis, Minnesota Basic Pass
Dec 7, 2018 Broadsword minneapolis, Minnesota Basic Pass

2018 TXi SPRs

Sep 2, 2018 Quarterstaff Houston, Texas Recommended Pass

MN Video Test August '18

Aug 14, 2018 Knife Minneapolis, Minnesota Recommended Pass

Brawl 2018 SPTs

May 25, 2018 Single Sword minneapolis, Minnesota Recommended Pass
May 25, 2018 Unarmed minneapolis, Minnesota Recommended Pass

2017 December SPT/SPRs

Dec 8, 2017 Small Sword Minneapolis, Minnesota Recommended Pass
Dec 8, 2017 Broadsword and Shield Minneapolis, Minnesota Recommended Pass
Dec 8, 2017 Unarmed Minneapolis, Minnesota Basic Pass

Pre- Brawl of America 2017

May 26, 2017 Quarterstaff MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota Basic Pass

Mpls 2017 knife SPT

Mar 12, 2017 Knife Minneapolis, Minnesota Basic Pass

2016 December SPT/SPRs

Dec 16, 2016 Rapier and Dagger Minneapolis, Minnesota Basic Pass