The Hack and Slash Shakespeare Company

was formed in 1992 by John Davis and Spencer Humm with the mission of bringing outstanding swashbuckling action and fresh, edgy comedy to live theatre audiences all over the world.

Since then, Hack and Slash have performed over 3,000 shows in fifteen countries, released DVD’s and created original stage productions which have played to sold out crowds and raised thousands of dollars for their charities such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, The Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund and the U.S.O. Through their work with watercharity.org, they have recently completed five global water projects, bringing water to thousands of people worlwide.

Hack and Slash has performed as headliners at Renaissance Festivals all over the U.S. and Canada including festivals in Maryland, Georgia, Texas, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Ontario, Virginia, Florida and Ohio. Hack and Slash have made hundreds of national and regional television and radio appearances including NPR, the Discovery Channel, numerous news programs, talk shows, commercials and a video game which sold over a million copies. There is currently a television series in development for the Canadian market based on the Hack and Slash character Barry Croaker.

Hack and Slash believe in the power of laughter to support stress relief and conflict resolution. The Hack and Slash Theatre Company has made six tours to entertain the deployed troops since 9-11. These tours are the subject of their award-winning comedy-documentary, Operation Swashbuckle.

Davis and Humm have collectively directed six Renaissance festivals and taught comedy and safe stage combat at dozens of major universities, colleges and professional training programs. Spencer Humm is a certified teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors and has been a featured instructor at workshops internationally. In the late nineties until 2006, John Davis ran the stunt coordination and production company Stunt Theatre Incorporated, which assisted large, live, outdoor productions in adding safe, high-impact action to their events.

Each year, Hack and Slash host special events such as the very popular Hack and Slash Christmas Special, the Musical!, an original, full-length version of Charles Dickens a Christmas Carol and the Action Hero Boot Camp which allows participants to experience the "action-hero-arts" of swordplay, Hollywood fist fights, bullwhip cracking, skydiving, action hero gunplay and more in a safe, fun environment.