Orion Couling Bio
Orion Couling grew up in the historical Michigan port Saulte Ste Marie and has dedicated himself to theatre, the sword, and social change since wanting to be a Jedi at age 5! He has a degree with honors from Northern Michigan University, and as a stuntman has studied, and taught, stage combat in Hawaii and China. He has worked as an educator and interpreter at Fort Michilimackinaw, Old Mill Creek, Fort Mackinaw, The Michigan Renaissance Faire, and The Tall Ship Royaliste, Red Witch, Argus and The Windy.
On the stage his favorite roles have been “Tony” in Westside Story, “Danny” in Haywire and “Booth” in Assassins. Recently you might’ve seen his work in the Red Twist production of View from a Bridge as his fight direction “packed an impressive punch.”
Orion Couling believes the arts are a catalyst for change in our communities. At any point in the year you might find him blending social activism with theatre. For eight years, Orion’s been using stage combat with youth-at-risk in schools and summer camps to discuss choices in violence and peaceful resolution with his self founded Company EDGE (Esteem Development through Greater Expectations). He is invested in bringing theatre to marginalized communities and received the Commitment to Excellence Award from Ups For Downs for his work directing children with Down Syndrome. As a playwright and adapter, his production of Treasure Island sold out last year at Lake Superior Theatre in Marquette, MI. Also, last year’s Spirit Ship and Haunted Harbors on the Windy broke our fall’s box office records. His love of researching a misty area of history and staging it for a historical society or venue, like our own, brings us this year’s Windy premier Real Pirates of the Inland Seas.
Orion teaches studio classes in the Chicago area and fight directs with independent films, local stage productions and Tall Ships. Furthermore, he is the Artistic Director of Gymkhana Studios. Additionally, Orion is recognized as an Associate Teacher for Dueling Arts and is proud to be their new Educational Coordinator and Artistic Director.