Finding her footing: A freshman learns stage combat with actor Chloe Baldwin
For freshman Elizabeth Burden, learning to fall safely under the guidance of acclaimed actor and fight choreographer Chloe Baldwin was the first step in discovering what it means to lead with confidence.
Chloe Baldwin is an alumna of Interlochen Arts Camp and a four-time Jeff-Nominated actor.
When freshman acting student Elizabeth Burden walked into her first stage combat workshop at Interlochen Arts Academy, she wasn’t quite sure what to expect. She’d never thrown a punch onstage, but she was eager to learn. Guest artist Chloe Baldwin (IAC 10, 12) made sure that every step, shove, and fall was rooted in both artistry and safety.
“Chloe was really kind and understanding,” Burden says. “She was always considerate of our bodies, making sure we were protecting our physical and mental health. She told us to wind down a little earlier on nights when we had fight calls because it can be a lot of built-up energy.”
Learning to lead
Baldwin knows something about channeling energy.
A Chicago-bred, Los Angeles–based actor and filmmaker, Baldwin is an Arts Camp alumna and a four-time Jeff Award nominee whose credits include The Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf, The Old Globe, and the Pasadena Playhouse. She’s performed in productions ranging from The Winter’s Tale to POTUS, appeared on screen in Steve McQueen’s Widows and Amazon’s Utopia, and even taken on the physically demanding title role in The Woman in Black’s national tour.
As a professional fight choreographer, Baldwin frequently plays fierce, physically dynamic characters. That blend of precision, presence, and protection is exactly what she brought to the Interlochen classroom.
Under Baldwin’s guidance, Burden learned the fundamentals of stage combat: how to pull a punch, make a convincing shove, fall safely, and more. But perhaps the most valuable lesson was one of trust.
“Chloe made me the fight captain,” Burden recalls. “It was really nice because she saw something in me and trusted me to help my castmates with what she taught us.”
That responsibility meant knowing every move of the choreography and helping ensure that her peers stayed safe. For a first-year student, it was a big step—and a huge confidence boost.
When asked what her favorite part of the workshop was, Burden doesn’t hesitate.
“My favorite thing I learned was falling,” she says. “There are so many different ways it can be incorporated into the fights. You can switch directions and everything, but the technique stays the same. It was really fun to play around with that."
An environment for unmatched growth
For Burden, the lessons she learned from Baldwin extended beyond the stage. Each movement demanded awareness, communication, and control—skills that will serve her long after the final curtain.
Workshops like Baldwin’s are a hallmark of Interlochen Arts Academy, where world-class guest artists regularly work with students across disciplines, from theatre and creative writing to music, dance, filmmaking, and interdisciplinary arts. For young artists like Burden, the chance to learn directly from professionals offers both inspiration and a glimpse of what’s possible.
“ Chloe was very considerate and always made sure that everyone understood what was going on,” Burden remembers. “It’s amazing for me to see a teacher come in and care so much for all of us students. I think that especially because she’s an alumni, she has a lot of heart for this place. I’m really glad I got to be a part of her workshop.”
Students at Interlochen Arts Academy enjoy world-renowned artistic training from gifted professionals alongside college-preparatory academics. Learn more about Arts Academy.
