From 2009 Evaluations

• Just great fun, close to home, and a place to brush up on my stage combat skills. I always have an amazing time
• Each time I attend, it gets better
• This was a fantastic experience and a great way to catch up with SAFD contacts I haven't seen in a while. It's the biggest workshop I've seen outside Nationals, with a high concentration of experienced combatants, which means I had the chance to work with people at my level, and learn from people above my level. And more students means more teachers, and more CTs, FDs and FMs for me to meet.
• I want workshops to feel like a hot date not a forced march...this was hot date. The classes were good and of a good length. The Instructors took level of participants into consideration. I felt a part of something rather than a customer or student.
• I love having the opportunity to fight with both my current SAFD friends, as well as meeting and fighting with new students, teachers, and FMs. I also love the social aspect of the event, because SAFD workshops always feel like one big extended family.
• It's the social event of the (fight) season! You could offer nothing but basic classes in weapons I hate and I'd keep coming back to see people.
• What I learned at the workshop was uniform with past instruction, and I was able to greatly expand on my own skills because of that. I felt the instructors were generally knowledgeable and passionate, wanting to not only educate, but also challenge and intrigue their students. Most stimulating, however, was the overall atmosphere of the workshop: an assembly of artists who were there to have fun, teach one another, play with weapons, and above all promote safety. I felt the WWW was very successful in achieving their goals - community, education, and safe violence in a theatrical setting.
• It is such a great weekend, with so much information packed into three days. I feel like I take something new with me each time.
• WWW is the most well-attended and well-organized regional workshop in the SAFD, short of the NSCW. Everyone trying this discipline should go at least once.
• Part of our goal in the education industry has to be to expand our students' view of the world...This is a kick-ass way to do that.
• If nothing else, this workshop is an excellent way to step out of your shell for a few days. Take the high fall class and just let yourself go! But more practically, it teaches actors and other artists from all over important skills for their craft, informing them how to be safe in potentially dangerous scenes. Knives and swords, fists and guns are not to be used foolishly, even in a "pretend" setting, and this workshop is an excellent introduction to their use onstage.
• As a beginner in stage fighting, I really appreciated the patience of teachers as I learned unfamiliar techniques
• I liked that the classes were broken down by competency levels. It's always nice to know that you aren't going to get partnered with someone, well, 'scary'.
• The organisation and execution of the main team was outstanding. Everyone was more than prepared to assist and answer questions. An exellent spirit of comaradrie was fostered on to those attending.
• All of the staff and interns were wonderful in keeping the event moving seamlessly. I had a wonderful time and would recommend it to anyone interested in bettering their combat abilities and knowledge of that craft.

From 2008 Evaluations

• Had a blast and can't wait for next year! Thank you! :-)
• I had a great time. I will recommend this to others. Thanks for a great time!
• I love this workshop and I plan to keep coming back year after year!
• It was an awesome experience and I'm very much looking forward to next year!
• It was a blast and I can\'t wait till next year!
• Love the workshop can't wait ‘til next year!
• I loved Winter Wonderland and I plan to go every year as long as I can afford it. I get to see old friends and make new ones and I get to meet new teachers who give me new skills. And who knows what else one might witness at a workshop?
• I'm sure it's a big undertaking and everything ran smoothly. Overall the workshop was an amazing experience and very educational, I walked away with a greater understand of what it takes to be a working professional in this industry.
• Overall, I feel like 2008 was extremely successful and will bring more people in 2009. I had such an amazing time and would have been willing to ignore my tired bones and take another class each day (although I realize that is probably unrealistic). My stage combat notebook is full of tools and goodies and things I need to work on.
• My husband and I had a great time. Wanted to attend the whole weekend, but had dress rehearsals I couldn't get out of.
• Thank you so much for having this each year. It is going to be a long year waiting to do it again.
• Thanks for a great workshop. Thanks for a well-run workshop!!!
• Thanks for being so AWESOME and see you next year!
• The workshop was a great experience. I haven't done stage combat in a while, but I was able to brush up on the basics while still learning a good deal.
• This was my third Winter Wonderland and I am always impressed by the event and the classes that are taught.
• You've earned my utmost gratitude and respect. Thank you!

From 2007 Evaluations

• I actually brought a friend along with me who had never done stage combat before or attended a workshop based around stage combat. She had a blast and since it was such a great learning experience for her, she's now looking into ways to implement stage combat into her career. I would not hesitate to recommend it to another friend.
• As a woman just entering the theatre world in my early 30's, I found the WWW to be both fun and informative. It was fun because I never felt intimidated by others with more experience nor isolated because I did not know anyone else. My instructors and classmates were approachable and friendly. There was not a whisper of pretentious attitude from anyone, something a lot of non-theatre folk think exists everywhere in theatre. I was able to meet people and enjoy the classes from the start. It was informative for obvious reasons. I would feel comfortable bringing a friend into such a welcoming environment.
• This was my first Winter Wonderland or any stage combat workshop for that matter, and I didn't really know what to expect. I learned a lot and I appreciate that you had a wide range of classes for a wide range of experience levels.
• It's a well-run workshop, I enjoy the chance to take classes, and to meet new and familiar people. The three-day format is feasible with a self-employed work schedule (i.e., no paid vacation, so a longer absence is tricky to manage.)
• This was my first stage combat workshop and I had more fun than I imagined I would. I'm excited to come to another WWW and learn more and meet more people.

From 2006 Evaluations

• My first SAFD event in 15 years – WOW! The environment was relaxed, supportive, collaborative and fun! Everyone I met was helpful, concerned, and friendly. You should be so proud of creating such an atmosphere where learning is passionate and inspired. I was just blown away! Congratulations – all your hard work is paying off beautifully!
• Thank you. It was another great experience for me.
• This workshop was everything I could ask for and more. It was a pleasant surprise to see the film stuff offered and not just limited to stage. The camaraderie and feeling of being taken care of in a big city was great for someone with less experience than most. I didn’t feel like I was overmatched and couldn’t handle what I was taking on. I felt like I could make mistakes and still be accepted and encouraged to do more and try again. Overall, this was an excellent experience that I look forward to for many years to come and to carry it over to the next workshop I can attend ASAP. Thank you.
• I love what we do here. Keep up the phenomenal work.
• Really liked the online signup, staff and instructors were top notch.

From 2005 Evaluations

• I really like this workshop. You guys do a great job!
• Very enjoyable. Learned a lot. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and time. Its greatly appreciated.
• It was my first time in attendance and I was surprised how much I learned.
• Thank you, thank you, thank you! All you do is much appreciated.
• This workshop just gets better and better!
• Excellent Workshop!
• Had a wonderful time!