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Swordplay for Suits …

is a new and unique form of corporate team building.

Swordplay for Suits …

is unlike anything currently on the market.

Swordplay for Suits …

is about the journey to your final showcase and what you learn about yourself and your teammates along the way.

Swordplay for Suits …

is designed Swordplay to give personal attention to everyone. Its about the one on one.

In one four-hour session, our instructors will give your business team the essentials of basic swordplay, send them off to develop their own mini battle scenes, under the instructor’s supervision, and then bring them back to perform for the rest of the group.

It’s challenging, exciting and rewarding! Let Swordplay for Suits take you on an adventure.

Especially effective for merging teams or newly-formed departments, we show you how the principles of swordplay parallel the skills required to succeed in an ever-changing office environment.

Laid out in a safe , productive and - most importantly - fun way, Swordplay for Suits will show you that the world of swashbuckling and the world of business are not so different.

Frequently asked questions:

We have a couple of team members with physical limitations – wheelchair, for example – can they participate?

Absolutely! Everyone in the program needs to have a full range of motion in their upper body. If they have that, we can work with them.

Are we using real swords and weapons?

SWORDPLAY FOR SUITS uses practice “ball-tip” weapons, like those used for fencing classes and other teaching applications. No sharp blades, no pointy-ended swords.

This still sounds like it could be pretty dangerous. Is it safe?

Yes. A significant portion of the first hour is a safety discussion. Guidelines are given regarding what can and cannot be done, and we stick to those. If someone is performing in an unsafe manner, they are warned. If they misbehave a second time, they are sent to the sidelines. We take safety very seriously, and will not tolerate anyone behaving outside the accepted limits.

Will we have to sign any sort of waiver?

Yes. Everyone participating in the program will need to sign a waiver that they have been given safety guidelines, that they understand the guidelines, and that they will adhere to them.

You say that you divide everyone into pairs. My team is 15 people. Can we still participate?

Teams of two are best, but with a little added instruction, we can always create one team of three.

What do we wear?

Something comfortable that you can move and sweat in. Nothing baggy or loose. You don’t want to snag your sword on the clothes of your opponent! Basic work-out attire is great. Long pants are better than shorts, just based on the fact that you’ll probably fall down at least once during the course of the session. Comfortable athletic shoes are a must. No dangly or hoop earrings; minimal jewelry. Long hair should be tied back.

You said that we’ll all be performing at the end. Will we be video-taped?

If you want to be. We can video tape the entire session or just the performances. Ask us about cost when you book your session.

What do we get at the end of the session?

Every person will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the session. About two weeks after the session, the team will receive copies of the group photo as well as special “Swordplay for Suits” lapel pins to show off their accomplishment.

Pricing:

SWORDPLAY FOR SUITS ... is based upon number of participants and location.

There is a basic flat fee for the Swordplay for Suits course. This includes up to 10 participants or SUITS and 2 of Mayhem's instructors.

There are additional charges for extra instructors and number people participating in the course.

We designed Swordplay to give personal attention to everyone. Its about the one on one.

We can work to accommodate any size group no matter where you are located. We can come to you.

Call us today so we can create your own Swordplay for Suits adventure and come up with a personal pricing plan.

Prices do not include travel or venue rental. Additional charges for special needs.

Call MAYHEM PRODUCTIONS if you have any further questions.

818-445-8499

mayhemprod@aol.com

Frequently asked questions:

Why is your program different than all of the other team-building offerings out there?

Swordplay for Suits is different because it teaches the basics of theatrical and cinematic swordplay and then parallels those skills into a business context. It will help enhance those skills that we all need to “fight the good fight” in the business world today.

You said it works best for merging teams or newly-formed departments. Why?

SWORDPLAY FOR SUITS is something you can only do in pairs. You must work with someone else to develop and perform a routine. You must learn to trust the other person as well as earn trust from them. You are, after all, brandishing weapons at each other. For groups just starting to work together and bond as a team, this is a great way to meet someone new, learn to trust someone else, and learn to work together, all while satisfying that childhood urge to be Robin Hood or a swashbuckling pirate!

Where do you hold the classes?

Anywhere and everywhere. All we need is a bit of space. Whether its in a park on a sunny afternoon or inside a convention hotel or convention center. We are compact enough to travel to any location. We don’t need lots of equipment and you don’t have to travel to take the course. It can come to you!

Sounds like a “guy thing.” Can women participate?

You bet! There are no gender lines in this program. Women are just as capable and sometimes better than wielding a sword as their male counterparts.

How physical is it? Can anyone participate?

SWORDPLAY FOR SUITS is very physical, and a basic level of physical health is required. However, we can work with just about anyone as long as we know limitations ahead of time. We pair up people based on physical abilities, so that each pair of sword fighters is working with someone at roughly their same level.

I’m not sure our team can handle the physicality; some of us are pretty uncoordinated. How adaptable is your program?

We can adapt SWORDPLAY FOR SUITS to any level of physical conditioning and any length of learning curve. Our instructors are flexible and can adapt on-the-spot if they feel that a particular group is having a hard time learning a certain skill or mastering a certain move. The point is for the group to have fun and learn to work together. If we have to teach a less involved combination, it won’t hurt the overall benefits of the course.

Swordplay for Suits Requirments

requires an open space ... (after all we're swinging swords)

For example:

A large conference room, a ballroom, a gym or an open field, if it's a nice day outside!

Basic requirments for Swordplay:

There are no exact mesurments, but we try to get enough "elbow room" for everyone. If it helps to visualize, think of everyone having their own 10x10 square to move on.

The floor should be carpeted, padded, or wood (sprung or unsprung) – concrete or tile are fine, but not recommended.

Grassy areas should be level, with no stones or large rocks. Think soccor field or a park. Benches or chairs are nice, but sitting on the floor or grass is okay too.

Other things to concider:

Everyone should have a bottle or two of water – or there should be a water cooler or water fountain nearby – and there should be towels available. A locker room with showers nearby is nice, but not necessary. Bathrooms are good, though.

A raised stage at one end of the space is nice to have for the final presentations, but it’s not essential.

Wear comfortable clothing and come ready to move, play and have fun.

A Swordplay for Suit session:

A typical session would run as follows:

First ½ hour – Introductions, safety discussion & guidelines, introduction of weapons and terms used, expectations for the group and warm up exercises.

Second ½ Hour – Class is in! Pairing off, basic instruction. Handling of the sword, different moves that will be taught.

Hour 2 – Individual work. Teaching of various moves. Swordplay. Footwork. Start to develop various combinations.

Hour 3 - Continue working as pairs.

First half of hour 4- Teams will go off to develop their own routines, or “shows,” using the swordplay phrases they’ve been given.

Last half of Hour 4 – Presentation. Each team will present their swordplay scene for the rest of the group. Certificates and other items will be awarded.

Swordplay for Suits will develop and enhance your skills in the following areas:

Strategy

Teamwork through individual effort

Multi-tasking

Concentration on newly learned techniques

Focus & awareness

Highlighting your strengths, understanding your weaknesses

Thinking on your feet

Working under pressure and time constraints

Presentation skills

Innovation & creativity

Development & execution of a plan

Knowing when to be aggressive and when to pull back

Hand-eye coordination

Organization of thought and seeing how small movements can cause big change