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Medici Mondays: Isabella Santoni By Charlie Snyder, Arizona Arts

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Sunday, November 17, 2024
College of Fine Arts, School of Theatre, Film & Television

Isabella Santoni took a three-week intensive with the Society of American Fight Directors, thanks to support from the College of Fine Arts Medici Circle.

Isabella is a senior pursuing a BFA in Acting and a BA in Creative Writing with a minor in Italian. She was inspired to continue with her training after learning stage combat with Professor Brent Gibbs at the School of Theatre, Film & Television. In the intensive, “Advanced Actor Combatant Workshop,” she trained in three new weapon styles – sword & shield, knife and smallsword. She also took masterclasses in fighting for film and intimacy coordination for theater. 

Students: Become a Medici Scholar. | Supporters: Join the Medici Circle.

“This program taught me more than just how to fight with new weapons,” she said. “I got a more holistic understanding of both the power and weight of using violence as a storytelling tool. I got to connect with women and non-binary teachers working in the combat industry and understand the unique challenges—and joys—that come with it. Most of all, I found a community of young theater professionals across the country who share the love of combat.”

This intensive will definitely impact Isabella’s career path. “I see myself acting and choreographing fights for the theatre. I’d love to explore how intimacy coordination and consent-driven practices can help care for performers more holistically in scenes of violence, and continue to make space for women and nonbinary folks’ stories in stage combat.”

Students: Become a Medici Scholar. | Supporters: Join the Medici Circle.

Medici Circle Appreciation

“A massive thank you to Pamela Becker and Vincent Immordino. Your generosity provided me with invaluable access to training that will continue to serve me throughout my education and into my career.”

Medici Circle support allows talented artists and scholars like Isabella to pursue an educational summer project beyond the classroom. 

Previously on “Medici Mondays”