Erik Fredricksen

Erik Fredricksen began his professional career at the Guthrie Theatre where he coached the Tony Award winning "Cyrano" duel with Christopher Plummer. After working here for three seasons, he moved in the acting and stage combat direction to other theatres such as: The Manitoba Theatre Center, Circle-in-the-Square, the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Syracuse Stage, the Long Wharf, ACT (Seattle), Los Angeles Theatre Center, and Lincoln Center.

Erik has been a master teacher with institutes such as Julliard, Webster Conservatory, Carnegie-Mellon, and the Washington Shakespeare Theatre. He was also a full-time faculty member for five years at California Institute for the Arts before moving to the University of Michigan to accept the post of Chair.

He is a founding member and past president of the Society of American Fight Directors and holds the rank of Fight Master. He was also a founding member of the Nordic Society of Theatrical Combat, which represents Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Norway, Denmark, and Latvia. Erik Fredricksen has taught abroad in Sweden, Estonia, Norway, England, and Denmark.

Erik holds an Instructor rank with the National Fencing Coaches Association and is a Sandan (3rd Black Belt) ranked Aikidoist and Fukushidoin (instructor) with the Birankai International Aikido Federation and a long time practitioner of laido. Erik is a member of SAFD, USFCA, and SAG- AFTRA.