Jedi Saber Combat is a troupe of stage fencers in Aberdeen, Maryland who perform lightsaber duels at public events, such as the baseball game pictured above. Blue Milk Special interviewed troupe member Chris Harper about what he and his fellow performers do. Here's how Chris describes the origin of Jedi Saber Combat:
For many of us, it did start when we were children. I know after I saw The Empire Strikes Back (the best film of the Saga), I would pick up any stick I could find and start sword fighting with my brothers… my parents hated it! It wasn’t until I was in college that I really got into formal Stage Combat. While at Brigham Young University I studied under Ted Sharron, a certified teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors. I also took mini-camps from David Bouchay, founder of the Society of American Fight Directors; Gregory Hoffman; founder of Dueling Arts International, and Dale Girard, author of the stage combat manual Actors On Guard. Then, in the following semesters, I was asked to return as an assistant professor.
After graduation, I actually worked for Medieval Times for 8 years…… There, I was able to help thousands of people escape into a fantasy of beautiful princesses and knights in shining armor. Then, while strolling through a mall one Christmas, I saw a table asking for donations for Toys-for-Tots, and it led me to the 501st and Rebel Legion. Fast forward 3 years, and here we are with an exemplary group of artists in Jedi Saber Combat!
You can view videos of the performers in action at the link.