What is stage combat in drama?
Stage Combat is a specialised art form for the language of fighting on stage. It is a device developed by performers to keep themselves, and others safe, while performing stunning fight choreography to wow an audience. Stage combat shows characters at their most primal, emotionally heightened state.
Why is stage combat important?
However, stage combat demonstrates key performance skills: to act and react, to work together, consider an audience, develop timing and control. These skills are transferable and as they’re developed, fights not only become more realistic and interesting but are also contextualised by further work.
What types of stage combat are there?
Stage combat training includes unarmed combat skills such as illusory slaps, punches, kicks, throwing and holding techniques; theatrical adaptations of various forms of fencing such as rapier and dagger, smallsword and broadsword, as well as the use of other weapons, notably the quarterstaff and knives; and more …
What are the four keys in making stage combat look real?
The 5 Things You Should Do to Make Stage Combat Look Real
- Master the Basics.
- Get Up Close and Personal.
- Know Your Target.
- Fight Cooperatively.
- Speak Up.
Where is stage combat used?
theatre
Stage combat is a specialized technique in theatre designed to create the illusion of physical combat without causing harm to the performers. It is employed in live stage plays as well as operatic and ballet productions.
What is a knap in stage combat?
Knap – Sound created by actors to make a sound with their own bodies that mimics the sound of the blow. ▪ Body Knap – The sound made by striking a major muscle group on the body. Either partner can make this knap.
What does blood stand for in stage combat?
B.L.O.O.D. Acronym for Balance, Line of sight, Eye Contact (two O’s are the eyes), and Distance. If there is ever a fight being done that is unsafe, yell this out loud so they know there is something they are forgetting.
How is stage combat used in musical theatre?
Whereas in musical theatre characters can do nothing but sing about how they’re feeling, stage combat is used when characters feel they can do nothing but lash out and hit, to attack, often out of fear, anger, stress and anxiety. So, there are two sides to stage combat: the actual choreographed techniques and the acting of character and emotion.
Is there any risk in doing stage combat?
There is always risk involved – not just to the students actually engaged in stage combat, but to the students around them as well. However, by taking the proper precautions and being smart, teachers can minimize the possibility of students hurting themselves or their fellow students while doing stage combat.
What are the two sides of stage combat?
So, there are two sides to stage combat: the actual choreographed techniques and the acting of character and emotion. Both are important to get right, but both combine to tell a story on stage or screen.
Is it fun to fight on the stage?
Stage combat is fun to do and it’s a great workout. And when it’s done well it looks spectacular onstage. It can create incredibly visceral reactions from audience members, and really helps performers to bond because they must trust each other completely. Fights can be dramatic, funny, vicious, and ridiculous.