THE CUTTING EDGE -- Fencing classes, staged combat, swordplay lessons, footwork, and workshops in sabre and foil in the San Jose and San Francisco Bay Area of California, USA

Project Overview

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

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

BALANCE oF PoWER

Performance Dates

Event   :     501st get together (Backyard Party)
Date(s)            :           May 20^th (this is a more relaxed “test” performance)
City, ZIP, Ph    :           Hilmar, CA 95324
Website, etc.   :           http://501st.org/

Event   :     BayCon
Date(s)            :           Saturday & Sunday, May 28^th - May 29^th
Time(s)            :           8:00 PM, courtyard area, “The Warzone”
Address           :           2050 Gateway Place
City, ZIP, Ph    :           San Jose, CA 95110      Tel: 408-453-4000 Fax: 408-437-2898
Website, etc.   :           http://baycon.org/

Event   :     SCu, Atlas School of Dance Recital
Date(s)            :           Friday June 23^rd and Saturday June 24^th
Time(s)            :           TBD, these will be evenings, around 7PM
Address           :           Santa Clara University, Louis B. Mayer theatre, 500 El Camino Real
City, ZIP, Ph    :           Santa Clara, CA 95053
Website, etc.   :           http://atlasdance.com/studio_calendar.html

Event   :     California State Fair (if they accept)
Date(s)            :           August 11^th - September 4^th (we will find what dates work)
Time(s)            :           TBD, it depends on many a thing… STILL WAITING!
Address           :           1600 Exposition Blvd. (CAL EXPO)
City, ZIP, Ph    :           Sacramento, CA 95815
Website, etc.   :           http://bigfun.org

Event   :     Lincoln Glen Church Event (Pending)
Date(s)            :           Sunday, July 2^nd
Time(s)            :           TBD, most likely late AM to early PM (window of 10 to 3?)
Address           :           2700 Booksin Avenue
City, ZIP, Ph    :           San Jose, CA 95125
Our Contact    :           Larry Albright
Website, etc.   :           N/A

Event   :     The Cutting Edge Fencing Camp
Date(s)            :           Saturday, August 5^th
Time(s)            :           TBD, most likely 11AM-ish
Address           :           1 North San Antonio Road
City, ZIP, Ph    :           Los Altos, CA
Our Contact    :           Matthew (Novastar)
Website, etc.   :           http://www.thecuttingedge.s5.com

Event   :     zero / one (01) TechnologY FESTivAL
Date(s)            :           August 9^th
Time(s)            :           Dusk (this will depend, but around say 7 or 8 PM)
Address           :           San Pedro Street @ Cinema San Pedro
City, ZIP, Ph    :           San Jose, CA 95112

Others TBD, such as children’s hospitals or schools. That all depends on dates, times, scheduling and so forth!

More information coming soon!

Note: No affliation with Lucasfilm, LTD. All rights and Star Wars concepts belong solely to Lucasfilm, LTD. All music by John Williams. Original sound effects by Ben Burtt.