Macbeth fight scenes choreographed by certified fight director
Greenbrier Valley Theatre’s (GVT) upcoming production of Macbeth will include the highest level of authenticity and reality during its most intense scenes. Professional fight choreographer, Dr. Whitney Emerson has been engaged to choreograph the fight scenes in the play. Dr. Emerson is certified by the Society of American Fight Directors, an organization of dedicated artists whose purpose is to promote safety and foster excellence in the art of performing, teaching, and directing staged combat/theatrical violence.
Dr. Emerson’s skills and direction have been provided through a partnership with the West Virginia University College of Creative Arts and Media and funding from the James F. B. Peyton Grant.
Speaking on the unique challenges of producing authentic fight scenes for the play, Dr. Emerson cited many factors that must be considered.
“Though Macbeth has been successfully produced for over 400 years, every production presents a different challenge as each scene, actor, prop, costume, lighting design, and performance space is unique – and all must be taken into consideration when staging the fights,” said Emerson. “The audience’s size and proximity demand choreography that is both visually dynamic from all angles and absolutely safe for all performances. We must balance historical weapon accuracy (swords, knives, daggers) with the need for theatricality and dramatic impact.”
The fight scenes in Macbeth are key to defining the characters and advancing the plot. “For ex-ample, in Act 5 Macbeth is trapped by Macduff and is desperate to escape, so perhaps he takes more risks in the fight,” said Emerson. “This can stand in contrast to Macbeth’s more confident fights earlier in the play against less skilled opponents, and should be choreographed as such.”
What is the key to making a scene safe, yet authentic? “Safe stage combat comes from successful communication and diligent rehearsal,” said Emerson. “When the performers engage in repeatable techniques designed by a knowledgeable fight choreographer in collaboration with the entire production team, the illusion of danger on stage is created while maintaining safety.”
Dr. Whit Emerson has directed or acted in over 50 productions in his 20 years as a theatre artist. His directing work includes Hidden in this Picture by Aaron Sorkin and Just Wishes by M. Jane Boggs at Appalachian State University, The Dark Lady of the Sonnets by George Bernard Shaw and Hidden in This Picture by Aaron Sorkin at The University of Central Florida.
Macbeth will be presented at Greenbrier Valley Theatre, Oct. 17 through Nov. 1. For dates, times and tickets, visit https://gvtheatre.org/2025-season/.
