The Ensemble School Instructors – Bette Cassatt

Bette is a new Ensemble School faculty member this semster!  She is teaching our first ever stage combat class: Jedi Knights, Pirates and Princesses (ages 7-12).

EDUCATION: Bette began her stage combat training at age 13 at a workshop at Round House Theatre. For several years, she studied under Brad Waller at The Shakespeare Theatre. Since then, she has trained with many teachers and fight masters from all over the world, including legend Paddy Crean (Errol Flynn’s stunt double and fight choreographer). Bette is a member of the Society of American Fight Directors.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE: While still a teenager, Bette served as a teaching assistant to Brad Waller at several places including New York University, The Kennedy Center, George Mason University, and The Virginia Tea Party stage combat workshop. Going solo, Bette has taught all over the Washington DC area including The Shakespeare Theatre, Catholic University of America, and Adventure Theatre as well as having served as a guest artist at many venues.

PERFORMANCE CREDITS: Bette has served as fight director for dozens of shows. She has performed fights all over the area including: The Kennedy Center, The Shakespeare Theatre, The Folger Shakespeare Library, and The Women in the Arts Museum. She has done stunts for America’s Most Wantedand two feature films. She has fought with lightsabers at The Kennedy Center, The Folger Shakespeare Library, and to advertise the Hasbro Force FX Lightsabers and the Saber Practice Bokkenfor ThinkGeek.com.

As an actor, Bette has performed on stage, television, film, and is currently in her third season of the webseries Reservation. She has appeared with the MET in The Cripple of Inishmaan, Incorruptible,  and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (as well as choreographed the fights in all three). Most recently, Bette has gotten to combine acting with fighting on stage in The Prisoner of Zenda with 1st Stage (Princess Flavia got to wield a sword and cloak) and in The Three Musketeersas D’Artagnan.

Next, Bette will be appearing in What Ho, Jeeves! at Round House Silver Spring with Lumina Studio Theatre January 29 – 31,  and the US Premiere of The Red Balloonat Adventure Theatre April 30 – June 13.  

Classes begin  February 8th.