Screen Actors Guild stunt coordinator Brian Connelly is coming to Artesia and the surrounding area to instruct youth and adults alike in stage and film combat.
Connelly recently moved to Scottsdale, Ariz., after a successful, 25-year run in Chicago. His company, Asylum Stunts, was originally founded to provide access to quality stuntmen and women for non-equity projects, smaller shops, and productions. It has since expanded to music videos, motion pictures, and almost any venture where stunt performers or effects can be used.
Growing up in the Midwest, Connelly spent more than a decade as a competitive gymnast. In the course of his martial arts studies, he met John Hicks Pearce of the Chicago Stunt Team, who gave him his start in stunt work. Since then, Connelly has been busy performing in dozens of feature films and even more commercials, as well as working with several equity stage productions.
A Youth Stage/Film Stunt Class will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, July 7, at the Ocotillo Performing Arts Center (OPAC) and an Adult Stage/Film Stunt Class from 6-9 p.m. Monday, July 11, at the OPAC. Cost is $20 for youth, $35 for adults. Both classes are open to all skill levels. Attendees should bring their own elbow and knee pads.
A two-day stunt workshop will also be sponsored by the Artesia Arts Council and Best Schotz Productions, LLC, from noon – 3 p.m. Saturday, July 9, and 1-4 p.m. Sunday, July 10, at Ascendance Art, Dance and Yoga Studio in Roswell. Cost is $60.
To register or for more information on both the Artesia and Roswell classes, visit the OPAC or call 746-4212.
