Where the Dojo Meets Edgar Allan Poe: William Trevino Brings Physical Theater and Soo Bahk Do to Philadelphia

At Enter the Chambers, we often explore how martial arts transcend the walls of the dojo. Combat arts are not merely tools for self-defense or sport, they are systems of profound body mastery, spatial awareness, and psychological expression.  

This September, Philadelphia audiences will have the opportunity to see that principle brought to life on stage.

Veteran performer and 6th degree Soo Bahk Do black belt William Trevino is bridging the gap between Korean martial arts choreography and gothic literature in his solo performance, LIGEIA by Edgar Allan Poe. Running from September 16–19, 2026 at the Asian Arts Initiative Project Space as part of the Cannonball Festival (a presenting hub of the Philadelphia Fringe Festival), this 58-minute solo show reimagines Poe’s classic tale through a visceral, body-first lens.  

The Artistry Behind the Movement

For over four decades, Trevino has dedicated himself to Soo Bahk Do, a traditional Korean martial art rooted in dynamic hip rotation, explosive power, and flowing defensive movement. But rather than using martial arts to stage traditional fight scenes, Trevino utilizes martial principles to internalize and express psychological narrative.  

“I think of Poe's language as a complex musical score,” says Trevino. “My martial arts choreography doesn't illustrate the story, it dances to it.”  

In LIGEIA, Poe’s narrator descends into grief, opium-fueled obsession, and psychological collapse as he witnesses what may, or may not, be his dead wife's revivification. Instead of relying purely on theatrical declamation, Trevino uses physical theater devised through decades of martial arts practice to project the narrator's inner turmoil into the room. Every stance, shift in gravity, and breath is grounded in martial discipline.  

From the Mat to the Stage

Trevino’s work exploring the overlap between martial movement and theatrical storytelling is backed by serious academic and physical credentials:  

• 40+ Years in Martial Arts: Certified Master Instructor and 6th Degree Black Belt in Soo Bahk Do.  

• Academic Research: Holds an MFA in Acting from UC Irvine and an MA in Liberal Studies (East Asia) from Columbia University, where his thesis focused on “Physical Principles of Martial Arts Applied to Theatre Performance.”

• Avant-Garde Track Record: His devised work has earned grants from the Jerome Foundation and the Queens Arts Fund, with performances hosted across NYC venues like Dixon Place, HERE Arts Center, and the Bushwick Starr.  

Whether you come to LIGEIA as a fan of gothic horror or as a martial artist interested in physical conditioning and movement theory, Trevino’s solo work offers a rare glimpse at how traditional martial arts forms can evolve into contemporary performance art.

Show & Ticket Details

• Production: LIGEIA by Edgar Allan Poe 

• Venue: Asian Arts Initiative Project Space (1219 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA 19017)  

• Dates & Showtimes:

  • Sept 16, 2026: 9:00 PM  

  • Sept 17, 2026: 6:00 PM  

  • Sept 19, 2026: 3:30 PM  

• Run Time: 58 Minutes (Intended for mature audiences)  

• Tickets: $25 General Admission (Pay-What-You-Can options available starting at $5)  

• Box Office / Tickets: Available via the official Philadelphia Fringe Festival Website.