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FAQs

*PLEASE NOTE: Due to the extensive physical nature of this workshop, the coordinators reserve the right to refuse admission to anyone we feel might not be able to fair well in this environment.

If you are a student/prospective student and have questions about registration, classes, issues with the hotel or general workshop questions you can reach Catie Early at cearly@macetraining.org.

For technical support, email Christopher Elst at webmaster@macetraining.org

Cost and Payment

Q. How much does the workshop cost?

A. $350.00 = Full Price

$315.00 = Union and Stage Combat Organization members discount (must submit valid proof of membership at the time of registration)

$300.00 = Full-time Students (must submit current semester schedule at the time of registration)

$300.00 = Anyone who registers and pays in full by December 1st.

$250.00 = Two-day Registration

$150.00 = One-day Registration

A deposit of $150 is needed to reserve your slot and must be paid when you sign up. The balance of your tuition must be paid in full before you can sign up for classes. Tuition includes up to three days of stage combat classes, a generous discount on hotel rooms at Pheasant Run Resort and a workshop T-shirt!

Q. Why does the workshop cost so much?

A. Actually, this workshop is quite a bargain. Think of it this way, if you pay full price, the cost is $350, right? So, divide that by 11 classes, and you pay a little over $31.81 per 90 minute class. Considering we are bringing instructors from across the country and some from outside the United States, you are getting an amazing deal!!! Now, most people will get a discount of some kind…that means you are paying less than $30 per class!

Q. Do you accept Credit Cards?

A. Yes, use the online registration form and you can choose to pay with a credit card via PayPal. Please note: There is a processing fee.

Q. Can I pay by Certified Check, Personal Check, or Money Order?

A. Yes. However, in order to receive the early registration discount, your payment must be received by December 1st. If the full payment for early registration is not received by that date, you will be charged the full amount and will not be able to sign up for classes until the balance has been paid in full. The Winter Wonderland Workshop is not responsible for how fast or slow the U.S. Postal Service delivers your payment and will not take that into account if your payment is not received on time, so factor in delivery time when making payments by mail.

Q. Can I pay in installments?

A. Yes. A $100 non-refundable deposit is necessary in order to reserve your slot. The balance is due in full before you will be able to sign up for classes. In order to receive the early registration discount, full payment must be received by December 1st. If the full payment for early registration is not received by that date, you will be charged the full amount and will not be able to sign up for classes until the balance has been paid in full.

Q. Is my tuition refundable if I cannot attend?

A. Before December 24th, tuition is refundable minus the $100 deposit. After December 24th, no refunds will be allowed under any circumstances.

Location and Timing

Q. What time does on-site registration start?

A. 8:00 am on the first day of the workshop. Those who register to attend on Saturday and/or Sunday will need to report to our Main Office on their first morning of attendance in order to pick up their welcome packet.

Q. What time do we finish everyday?

A. Classes finish around 5:30 pm on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, the workshop ends around 4:00 pm. There will be evening activities offered throughout the workshop. Opening night will feature a Welcome Party and Weapons/Merchandise Night, where vendors from around the country will be selling items like stage combat weapons, clothing, etc. Saturday night will feature the opportunity to see a special performance of “The Swordsmen.” Sunday night will feature a Closing Night Party and showing of our annual “Staff Fights.”

Q. Which is better, O'Hare or Midway?

A. O'Hare International Airport is located 27.64 miles from Pheasant Run Resort with an approximate travel time of 45 minutes. Midway International Airport is located 41.81 miles from Pheasant Run Resort with an approximate travel time of 57 minutes. Which one is better will depend on which one is cheaper for you to fly into. Airport Express is a shuttle service that will pick you up at either airport and drive you to the resort. It will also pick you up and take you back to your particular airport and the end of your stay. Go to www.airportexpress.com and get a quote. I know they do round-trip and group discounts!

Q. Where can I leave my personal stuff so it doesn't get stolen?

A. Since the hotel rooms and classrooms are located in the same area, personal items can be kept with you at all times or left in your hotel room. The Winter Wonderland Workshop is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Food and Lodging

Q. Is lodging included?

A. No, lodging is not included.

Q. Where can I stay?

A. Pheasant Run Resort is located at 4051 E. Main Street, St. Charles, IL 60174. Go to www.pheasantrun.com for more information about their facilities.

Q. What food will be available during the workshop?

A. At this time, food will not be offered. There are numerous locations, both on-site and off, in which you can purchase food. There will be information in your packet that shows you where food can be purchased. If desired, you can upgrade your hotel room to one with a refrigerator and microwave. That would allow you to go to one of the local grocery stores and purchase food you can make. Water fountains are located throughout the resort, so you can fill water bottles.

Classes and "Certification"

Q. What classes are being taught this year?

A. A list of proposed classes will be listed on the website once the instructors have been chosen. Final class selections will be available between one and two weeks before students are able to choose classes. We do this because we look at the registrant's skill levels and use that as a basis for determining which classes to offer.

Q. How do I know my level?

A. PLEASE NOTE: It is important to understand your skill level. If the instructor feels that you are not able to keep up with the work taking place in the classroom, the instructor has the right to ask the unqualified student to sit down. We do this so the students who are qualified can continue to move at the pace set by the instructor and the class level. Also, if you have experience in one weapon, that does not mean you are experienced in all weapons. Each weapon poses its own challenges, so choose your level in each weapon accordingly.

Beginning students are ones who have limited or no stage combat experience.

Intermediate students are ones who have studied consistently for at least two years and have passed the SAFD skills proficiency test in three or more weapons (or equivalent); this would mean you are Intermediate in said weapons.

Advanced students are ones who have studied consistently for at least four years and have passed the SAFD skills proficiency test in five or more weapons (or equivalent); this would mean you are Advanced in said weapons.

Q. Can I choose my classes before I arrive?

A. Yes, we will be providing class signup prior to your arrival via the website. Keep checking your email for the class signup announcement.

Q. How many people are in each class?

A. Class size will vary depending on room size. Classes will be limited to no more than 20 students.

Q. I've never done stage combat; will there be something for me?

A. Absolutely! There are plenty of classes for all levels of training.

Q. Will I get personal attention?

A. Yes. Our small student-to-teacher ratio allows instructors to spend time with every student.

Q. I'm 15, can I still come to workshop?

A. Yes. Students as young as 15 can attend the workshop, but students under the age of 18 require parental permission.

Q. Can I get "certified" this weekend?

A. The Policies & Procedures of the SAFD state that an individual must have a minimum of thirty hours of training in order to test in a particular weapon discipline. There is just not enough time during the workshop to accomplish this task. However, a common misconception with the SAFD is that we "certify" students. There is no certification when it comes to testing in weapon styles. If a student tests and passes a Skills Proficiency Test, said student would be recognized as having "proficiency" in that particular weapon style. Please refer to www.safd.org for more information on testing.

Equipment and Renewal

Q. What do I need to bring?

A. We suggest bringing athletic gloves for weapon work, knee and/or elbow pads, water bottles, and anything you feel will make your experience a better one.

Q. Do I need to provide weapons?

A. All weapons are provided by the workshop.

Q. What will the workshop focus on as far as weapon styles?

A. The workshop classes focus on combat training for stage, film and television. At every skill level, you can choose a variety of class options to fit your needs.

Q. What if I get hurt?

A. The workshop is not liable for injuries that a student may acquire during the workshop. There is a mandatory waiver that each student must sign to that effect in order to attend the workshop. However, there will be someone on staff who can handle minor injuries (bumps, bruises, scrapes, etc.) if the situation arises. Several people on staff at the workshop are certified in First Aid and CPR.

Q. Can I bring my own weapons?

A. Personal weapons must be approved by the workshop coordinator prior to admission to the workshop. Whether or not the weapon is appropriate for a particular class is up to the instructor at the time of the class.

Q. Will renewals be available? How much do they cost?

A. Renewals in Unarmed and Rapier & Dagger are always available at the WWW. Other discipline renewals will be made available if the demand is great enough. The additional fee is $25.00 per weapon. The additional fee covers the SAFD cost and the adjudicator fee. There is an additional charge because not everyone is qualified to take renewals, so it is unfair to charge people for something they will not receive. Students will only be allowed to renew in a maximum of two weapons, unless previously discussed and agreed to by the Coordinator.

Staff applications for 2013 are not yet open.

Workshop registration for 2013 is not yet open.