“A Day in the Life” with local Calgary Theatre Director John Knight

July 17, 2019 Julia Melcher Arts, Performing Arts

John Knight is a director, actor, writer, violence designer, and certified fight instructor based in Calgary. He is currently bettering his practice by completing his masters of directing at the University of Calgary. Because of his passion for storytelling and history, John is always looking for different ways to explore the impact of violence on society, both past and present. He is also eager to advance and share his knowledge of stage combat in the community and has offered several classes in Alberta ranging from beginner classes for 10-year-olds, all the way to certification classes for The Academy of Fight Directors Canada. This year John contributed to the theatre community by being on the nominating committee for the Betty Mitchell Awards. In addition to all of his theatre work, John is an amazing dad and husband to his two girls and wife.

Written by wife, Eva Knight

John Knight
A photo from our recent trip out to Newfoundland to visit family. My wife Eva and my two girls Audrey and Aisling.
John Knight
Another photo from our recent Newfoundland trip. An iceberg near King’s Point. This photo was taken from the deck of my uncle’s boat an easy stone’s throw from the iceberg.
John Knight
Me with my fellow Instructor Candidates, Mike Kovac and Adriano Gatto, the summer I became a certified instructor with the Academy of Fight Directors Canada
John Knight
First day of my MFA studies at the UofC!
John Knight
In December Calgary Opera asked me to do a sword fighting demonstration in the lobby of the Jube each night before their show. My daughter was at the show one night and wanted to get in on the action!
Myself and fellow instructor Brianna along with a group of our stage combat students at the end of a recent certification class.
My family and I try to take advantage of the fact that we live so close to a National Park. This winter in Banff we were lucky enough to see a whole herd of elk!
Eva and I posing for a photo on a hike.

What ‘hood are you in?

I live in the SW community of Richmond

What do you do?

I am a theatre artist focusing primarily on directing and fight directing, but I also act and dabble in playwriting and other areas of the theatre

What are you currently working on?

I am completing my MFA in directing at the UofC and have a couple of fight directing contracts later in the season

Where can we find your work?

My thesis production of Hannah Moscovitch’s This is War goes up at the University Theatre Oct 18th. Tickets and details can be found here. Also, make sure to check me out at www.knightfights.ca or find Knight Fights on Facebook!

 

Related Articles