Violence designs need to be responsible, organic, and true. Responsible violence is choreography that keeps the actors safe. Not every actor has the same physical abilities, and choreography has to work for their bodies. Organic choreography is an integral part of the show. The show should not stop so that the fighting can happen and then pick up again when the fight is over. As much as we love to teach fighting, we have found situations where we advised directors that maybe they didn't need a fight that was in the script. Finally, designs must be true. They must forward the story and they must support the director's vision.

It is an important part of the mission of R & D Choreography to work for the smaller theatres that are a Chicago treasure, and to do what we can to see that shows don't lack professional violence design because they are new theatres or on small budgets. As much as we can, we try to accomodate the needs of these theatres. If your theatre really can't afford this range of fees, please feel free to contact us and we will see what we can work out. We seek grants to cover the costs of hiring violence designers for needy theatres, and we take on a limited number of projects each year at far below cost.