Mary Spohn is the owner of Swordplay LA, a premier Los Angeles training center for fencing, stunts, and historical European martial arts. With over 20 years of fencing experience and a decade of swordsmanship and stunt training, Mary has established herself as one of the leading voices in onscreen sword combat and historical combat. She has worked in film and television for more than 10 years, training under several of Hollywood’s top swordmasters and bringing historical precision to modern action storytelling.

A four-time national medalist and former NCAA Division 1 fencer, Mary is currently ranked among the top 15% of women’s longsword fighters in the world. Her work bridges the gap between historical realism and cinematic flair—grounded in authentic European martial arts traditions while tailored for the demands of performance.

Mary has trained and choreographed with a range of talent, including Charlize Theron, Ricky Whittle, Lulu Wilson, and The Try Guys, as well as Academy Award-winning actors, Olympic athletes, and child film and television stars. Her love of history deeply informs her choreography, allowing her to craft fights that are visually dynamic yet historically grounded.

Since taking over Swordplay LA, Mary has grown it from a small 900-square-foot studio with 40 fencers into a thriving community of over 150 regular members in a 2,600-square-foot facility dedicated to fencing, stunt training, and historical combat. Known for her collaborative and inclusive approach, she creates spaces where actors and martial artists alike can build confidence, skill, and authenticity in their performance work.