The Central Illinois Stage Combat Workshop (CISCO) was founded by Holly Rocke at Eureka College in 2005 and was known as "The Eureka Workshop" until 2009 when the name was changed.  2022 was a landmark year for the workshop, as we  permanently transitioned locations to Western Illinois University (due to the unfortunate closure of the Eureka College theatre program), and CISCO had the pleasure of seeing a dream realized, with the birth of it's sister workshop, The Central Illinois Stage Combat Teacher Trainer (CISCOTT).. Over nearly two decades, CISCO has thrived as a place for excellent, affordable, and accessible stage combat training. 

 

At CISCO we strive to create a lasting peer group through ensemble building, shared meals, extra curricular activities (particularly board games!) that encourages the creation of a truly safe space for intensive training. 

 

Our class sizes are kept small to allow for more student interaction with our curated staff of Certified Teachers and Fight Directors from multiple organizations. We work hard to reduce the stress of the testing process by putting an emphasis on the training experience, to create a workshop that we would all wish to attend. 

 

During the Fall of 2022, WIU began construction on a brand new $100,000,000+ Performing Arts Center at the university. In a couple of years, this incredible state-of- the-art facility will be the new home of the Central Illinois Stage Combat Workshop!

 

Come join us to make lasting friends and lasting skills!