1. Stage Combat

2. What is stage combat? Stage combat is an artistic representation of violence in a performance environment. It is an illusion of violence based on the principles of reality but created using specific techniques that make the actions safe for the performers. The creation of a sequence of stage combat movements is referred to as stage combat choreography.

3. We don’t want any accidents! The most important concept, in stage combat, is to remember

4. To wear or not to wear, that is the question. Wear Non slip shoes that cover the whole foot Comfortable clothes you can move in Clothes that COVER your body Do Not Wear Sandals, flip flops, heels, socks or go barefoot Earrings, rings, bracelets or necklaces Skirts or low cut shirts (ladies)

5. How to Speak “Stage Combat” Non contact strike: The illusion of contact, masked from the audience. All stage combat is non contact. You will never touch another actor with an aggressive move. Knap: The sound created by actors with their own bodies that mimics the sound of the contact. Eye contact: Technique of frequent cueing your partner by looking into their eyes during a fight. This assures communication between partners.  Clap Knap: The sound made when both hands clap together, usually made by the person receiving the action.  Body Knap: The sound made by striking a major muscle group on the body. Either actor can create this knap.

6. How to Speak “Stage Combat” Avoidance: A movement to dodge an attack. Invitation: One actor giving another a temptation to attack. Performance speed: Stage combat should always be first rehearsed in slow motion and slowly get faster. Block: A movement to deflect the action of the attacker from its intended target. There are four performance speeds  ¼ speed (slow motion)  ½ speed (a little faster than slow motion)  ¾ speed (almost full speed)  Full speed

7. All The Right Moves Break Fall: Any movement that expends the energy or force from a fall and gives the illusion of impact.  Side Fall: Bend knees and fall with the majority of the impact on thighs—not knees—and then sprawl out the hands in the direction of the fall to send the force out.  Back Fall: Step back with one foot and bend down so one leg is completely underneath your bottom and the other foot is in front. Curl backwards, put your arms out to the side, create a knap with your arms, palms down with your feet sprawling up. ALWAYS TUCK YOUR CHIN TO AVOID HITTING YOUR HEAD.

8. All The Right Moves Punch: Hit with a closed fist Strangle: Both hands encompass the neck in an attempt to stop the victim from breathing. On stage you will touch the collar bone—not the neck. Slap: Hit with open hand  Front Fall: Take a step forward and to the right with your right foot. Bend down on your right foot and then “jump off” of your foot and send your energy (with both arms and legs extended as much as possible—think Superman) so your impact with the floor is more like sliding than falling.

9. All The Right Moves Hair Pull: Grabbing a large section of the victim’s hair to gain control of their head movement. When performing stage combat, it is the person who is receiving the action who is always in control of the situation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQTJzbTcMSk&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmJ5sXnRxUM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJGmAVMNo5k&feature=related