When I first envisioned "Balance of Power", I never expected that my dream would become a reality.

It was just a spark of an idea, really--at first.  I'd always been inspired by John Williams' gorgeous music--not only from Star Wars(tm) soundtracks, but films like the Indiana Jones series, Hook, Close Encounters, Superman, etc.

One night, sometime in 2004, I was listening very closely to "The Clash of Lightsabers", from the Empire Strikes Back(tm) soundtrack, and it started to make me think about the way the song built the drama.  Changes in the music started "speaking" to me about what OTHER drama could be unfolding in lieu of what we were used to from the movie.

Additionally, I was envisioning one entire scene/story instead of a film-style "cut to X" then "cut to Y" break up of sub-stories.  Still, everything fell into place so far... in my mind.

As time passed, the idea burned brighter in my mind, fueled by more plot ideas... then fueled by choreography ideas... then blazed on further by lightsaber research, character names, choices, etc.  Now all I had to do was figure out if I really was going to put the project together.

Now that I knew exactly what I wanted to see in each moment of the piece, it was time to assemble a crew, albeit a crew that wasn't expecting to be paid tons of money.  I needed people who loved the art of combat, dance, choreography and ESPECIALLY Star Wars(tm), since it would be a monstrous amount of work.

Little did ANY of us know how far all of us would go to see it succeed, and also how many concerns, issues, problems, successes, triumphs, failures, mis-communications and hurdles we'd face!

For example--for me to design the sound effects and vocals was simply grueling!  Granted, it was loads of fun, but it took such a painstaking attention to detail, I'm not sure if it drove me bonkers, or I'm satisfied by its rhythm, pace, feel and match to the music.  You will simply have to hear for yourself.

Another example is (of course) the sabers!  If I had ANY idea how involved I would have to become with the saber design, I may have waited another year or so.  In the end, I built some of the sabers that are featured in "Balance of Power", when naturally, I had other concerns to think about, and since I was NO wiring genius of ANY kind... I just assumed to pass on having such a role.  But it was a great experience.

The choreography I had the most fun with, and naturally my performers added to it in ways that I'd always hoped and expected of them.  Granted, not every single detail became what I wanted, but if someone were to ask how close this production has become in comparison to the vision in my head--I would say... pretty darn close!

So now... sit back and enjoy the show!  Visit us live at a performance, or browse the site for video clips!

If you'd like to contact me--e-mail jedi@thecuttingedge.s5.com

If you'd like to schedule a LIVE performance in the SJ/SF bay area of CA--feel free to call, US mail or e-mail me.

--Matthew Carauddo, owner, director, designer, producer, actor
--"Greytale Novastar"

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