Artist Profile - Jason Kobett

Chess opens in just one short day on June 12th.  As we prepare the best year yet, we've introduced you to some of the talent and personalities behind this year's championship match between the Templars and the Celts.  In profile today: Jason Kobett, the King of the Celts.

Jason Kobett

Celts - King

What is your favorite weapon? Why?

Personally, my favorite weapon is a sword. I waffle between the flashy elegance of a rapier, or the controlled brutality of a broadsword.  Both have their purposes and their place, which happens to be in my hand.

If you could have a fight with anyone living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be against, and with what weapon? Why?

I think that it would have to be with Henry V, because he seems like the sort of person who in his youth knew how to enjoy life, and when coming into his own grew to learn a balance between responsibility and enjoyment. That interplay should make for a very enjoyable fight.

What has chess taught you? What has Human Combat Chess taught you?

Chess has taught strategy, long-term planning, and the realization that sometimes, rushing blindly forward means you miss the little details that cause you to panic later.

Human Combat Chess has taught me that chess can be exciting and unpredictable, having to rely on others to see a task completed according to plan -and if they can't make it happen, having to rewrite the plan on the fly

Introduce us to your character:

Jason the Celt King is a fighter first, team captain second, and chess player third. He is very knowledgeable in his team's capabilities in a fight, and chooses to rely on this more often than his somewhat lacking chess strategy. He likes to think he's witty and charming, but the reality is that he just sometimes says things without the words checking in first.

Any parting words of wisdom?

Follow your passions, they'll take you to places you never knew you wanted to go.

Artist Profile - Rachel Bigelow

As we move closer to opening Human Combat Chess on June 12th, our series of artist profiles moves up the chain of command to the Kings of this year's championship contenders.  First up is the King of the Templars, Rachel Bigelow!

Rachel Bigelow

Templars - King

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WEAPON? WHY?

It is hard to pick just one. I enjoy small sword, it is graceful yet deadly.  I also like the versatility of rapier and dagger. My favorite fight I have done so far was a rapier and dagger fight.

IF YOU COULD HAVE A FIGHT WITH ANYONE LIVING OR DEAD, REAL OR FICTIONAL, WHO WOULD IT BE AGAINST, AND WITH WHAT WEAPON? WHY?

Nerf gun fight with Nathan Fillion...enough said!

WHAT HAS CHESS TAUGHT YOU? WHAT HAS HUMAN COMBAT CHESS TAUGHT YOU?

Chess has taught me patience. Human Combat Chess has taught me much about flexibility, thinking on your feet, and dedication. It has also given me the opportunity to meet many wonderful people and to learn a plethora of awesome fighting styles!

INTRODUCE US TO YOUR CHARACTER:

My character is also named Rachel Bigelow. She was first introduced to the world in 2009 as Rachel Piersdorf. She married Jon Bigelow, another combatant (in real life and in game), in 2012, hence the name change. She is often used as the tiny yet powerful piece. Her background in gymnastics has lent itself well to the sport as she is proficient in many styles. She is absolutely deadly with a small sword. A strategist and very patient she is not overtly flashy like some other characters but is great fun to watch in a fight!

ANY PARTING WORDS OF WISDOM?

Chess has been such an amazing experience! It has been a pleasure to be involved for so many years. I know everyone who attends will have a tremendous amount of fun! Oh, and wear black and gold!

Artist Profile - Jenn Sisko

The latest artist spotlighted by our profile series, Jenn Sisko returns to Human Combat Chess (opening in just 1 week) as Queen of the Celts, after a great performance last year with the Phoenix.  This spring, she also appeared with Six Elements as the eponymous Hapgood, in our critically acclaimed production at the Nimbus Theater.

Jenn Sisko

Celts - Queen

What is your favorite weapon? Why?

Rapier and dagger/fan or knife.

Rapier and dagger was one of the first weapons I learned.  It made so much sense to me, maybe because I watched too much Zorro.  

Knife is just fun.  It's brutal, personal, and honest. You don't cheat with knife.  

If you could have a fight with anyone living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be against, and with what weapon? Why?

Zorro was my first crush as a girl of six, and my love for that character is immense.  I would love to have the chance to fight him for fun.

Or William Hobbs because how epic would that be?

What has chess taught you? What has Human Combat Chess taught you?

Chess has taught me the idea of patience.  

Human Combat Chess has taught me that there are many avenues to a result.  Each choreographer is different and approaches a fight differently.  It has been a unique experience to work with so many talented people with their forte.

Introduce us to your character:

My character is manic.  There is very little "down."  She enjoys the fight and she doesn't mind the pain.  She has DID, which, under pressure, causes her to turn into Connie.  Connie will get the job done.

Any parting words of wisdom?

Explore the impossible in whatever you do.  That's what we do in stage combat; we take the climax of the story--the fight--break it down for teaching, and then turn it into the incredible.  Find your own style in whatever you do because there are many pathways.  Let your imagination take over.

Artist Profile - Emily Knotek

The next artist featured from our upcoming production of Human Combat Chess is the fierce Queen of the Templars, Emily Knotek.  Emily has previously appeared with Six Elements in Orpheus Descending and Tales From Camelot.

Emily Knotek

Templars - Queen

What is your favorite weapon? Why?

I love hand to hand combat.  It’s personal, and there’s no way to avoid it. 

If you could have a fight with anyone living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be against, and with what weapon? Why?

I’m against violence in general.  I can’t say that I would like to fight anyone.  That said, how about Hitler, with psychiatric medicine.

What has chess taught you? What has Human Combat Chess taught you?

I was part of the chess club in elementary school.  I can’t say I was ever overly into the game aside from play as a social activity.  More recently, I’ve been more and more excited by strategy games, including Chess and Go.  I find that they force me to think, and that feeling is always welcome. 

Introduce us to your character:

My character is the part of me that pays attention.  Quiet, focused, and direct.  The Templars as a team are a group of people who have worked hard to get where they are, and I don’t think that anyone achieves without effort.

Any parting words of wisdom?

Strive to be your best in all things.

Artist Profile - Brian Watson Jones

The next artist in the spotlight from Human Combat Chess is Brian Watson-Jones, League Announcer and one of two color commentators, tasked with the huge job of letting the audience in on the tactics, game-play, and story happening on the board.  Brian is an active member of the Twin Cities theatre community, and has previously worked with Six Elements in Much Ado About Nothing and Valhalla, Tales from the Hall of Heroes.

Brian Watson-Jones

League Announcer

If you could have a fight with anyone living or dead, real or
fictional, who would it be against, and with what weapon? Why?

Friendly fight?  Abe Lincoln, during his time as company commander during the Black Hawk War.  He'd choose unarmed, since he liked to wrestle.  Then he'd destroy me, because he LOVED to wrestle.  Then we'd get wasted on whiskey and sing songs.  It would be fantastic.

Unfriendly fight?  Joseph Mengele.  And I wouldn't stop when the Marshal called it.

What has chess taught you? What has Human Combat Chess taught you?

Chess taught me how important it is to be able to plan ahead, and how bad I am at that.

Human Combat Chess has taught me that even if you make all the right moves, something can still turn against you.  And vice versa. 
 

Introduce us to your character:
 

I was King of the Celts for several years, and left abruptly just before this season started.  I won't go into exactly what happened; suffice it to say that I was given a choice, and picked the less distasteful one.  Instead of joining another team, I joined the Midwest HCC organization, and began providing commentary on matches.
I don't harbor any bitterness towards Jason, the Celts' current King, but I'd be making different choices if I were still in charge.
 

Any parting words of wisdom?
 

Never trust a former King who says he isn't bitter