Types of Skill Props
Poi: Poi are, in their simplest form, a pair of weights attached to handles by tethers about 1ft long. They are swung in tandem, one in each hand, to create a huge variety of weaves and patterns. They originated as props used in traditional performances by the Maori Tribes of New Zealand, where they were made using entirely organic materials. Modern poi come in a variety of styles, from brightly colored balls to weighted flags to styles lit by programmable L.E.D’s. They can even be made from Kevlar wicking and set aflame! Poi are some of the most versatile and complex skill toys around, with an astounding variety of moves for masters and novices alike.
Instructors: Brian, Russell.
Glowsticks: A simple pair of glowsticks tied to shoestrings is an image synonymous with raver culture. They can be used in a manner very similar to poi, but their light weight allows them to be bounced and wrapped on various parts of the body and gives them a style all their own.
Instructors: Brian, Colten
Contact Staff: Contact staff is one of the newest skill toy disciplines, though many of its moves have roots in traditional martial staff, as well as cultural staff performances of Polynesia and Hawaii. A contact staff is a long wooden or metal shaft, about 5 feet long, with weighted ends. This allows its user to use the toy’s momentum to spin and wrap it around various parts of the body without using their hands, giving the illusion that it is floating along the performer’s body. It can also be spun in circular and geometric patterns for a more martial style. Contact staves come in many varieties, from simple weighted dowels to models with L.E.D.s or Kevlar wicking on the ends which make for beautiful night-time performances.
Instructors: Corey, Russell
Double Staff: Another skill toy with Pacific culture roots, this consists of a pair of staves, about 3 ft long each, used in tandem. They can be spun together in a variety of styles, from long flowing weaves to fast aggressive spins to pop-and-lock styles to great illusory effect. They can even be used as miniature contact staves and spun around the performer’s limbs or eachother.
Instructors: Devin, Russell, Nicole
Fans: Single and tandem fans have been used in theater and dance in both eastern and western cultures for centuries. Their curved shape lends them well to long, sweeping, wing-like movements, though they can also be used in faster and more technical styles similar to those of double staff. They are often adorned with Kevlar wicking meant to be set alight, or long veils or streamers that accentuate the performer’s sweeping gestures as they trail behind the fans.
Instructors: Theresa
Hoop: Easily one of the most popular of skill toys, the simple hula-hoop has been a staple pastime of Western children since its invention in the 1800’s. A large culture of trick hooping has been developed since then, and the hoop has moved from the waist to the arms, legs, shoulders, elbows, hands and neck for an incredible variety of high-energy performance possibilities. Miniature hoops meant to be used by the hands have emerged as well, used in juggling or in a manner similar to poi. L.E.D. hoops have been made that can produce a staggering variety of colors and patterns to add extra excitement to performances.
Instructors: Theresa, Amanda
Adjuncts: Jessica, Shannon
Levi-stick/Levi-wand: This graceful skill toy is made from a small, light wand, about 18in. long, suspended at its balance point by two long, thin wires. The performer uses these wires to spin and twirl the wand, giving the appearance that the wand is floating and orbiting around them.
Instructors: Theresa
Swords: The art of sword performance has been around as long as the sword itself. From slow, graceful choreography to fast jabs and sweeps, there is a great potential for variety in the sword. They can be dual-wielded as well, borrowing moves from poi and staff as well as gaining moves all their own. Swords are also created that are specially balanced to be able to perform moves normally exclusive to contact staff.
Instructors: Devin
Rope Dart: The rope dart, or Meteor Hammer, is an assassin’s weapon of ancient China. Made from a blade or weight tethered to a 10-15ft rope, it has the longest effective range of any skill toy. Modern performance versions consist of a weight with a bright visible flag, a kevlar wick, or L.E.D.’s. The long rope allows it to be swung in poi- like weaves or wrapped around the performer’s body, to be shot out to the end of its tether in quick, sudden strikes. Rope dart is about misdirection and confusion, with the audience never knowing when or where the dart will go next!
Instructors: Devin
Instructors: Brian, Russell.
Glowsticks: A simple pair of glowsticks tied to shoestrings is an image synonymous with raver culture. They can be used in a manner very similar to poi, but their light weight allows them to be bounced and wrapped on various parts of the body and gives them a style all their own.
Instructors: Brian, Colten
Contact Staff: Contact staff is one of the newest skill toy disciplines, though many of its moves have roots in traditional martial staff, as well as cultural staff performances of Polynesia and Hawaii. A contact staff is a long wooden or metal shaft, about 5 feet long, with weighted ends. This allows its user to use the toy’s momentum to spin and wrap it around various parts of the body without using their hands, giving the illusion that it is floating along the performer’s body. It can also be spun in circular and geometric patterns for a more martial style. Contact staves come in many varieties, from simple weighted dowels to models with L.E.D.s or Kevlar wicking on the ends which make for beautiful night-time performances.
Instructors: Corey, Russell
Double Staff: Another skill toy with Pacific culture roots, this consists of a pair of staves, about 3 ft long each, used in tandem. They can be spun together in a variety of styles, from long flowing weaves to fast aggressive spins to pop-and-lock styles to great illusory effect. They can even be used as miniature contact staves and spun around the performer’s limbs or eachother.
Instructors: Devin, Russell, Nicole
Fans: Single and tandem fans have been used in theater and dance in both eastern and western cultures for centuries. Their curved shape lends them well to long, sweeping, wing-like movements, though they can also be used in faster and more technical styles similar to those of double staff. They are often adorned with Kevlar wicking meant to be set alight, or long veils or streamers that accentuate the performer’s sweeping gestures as they trail behind the fans.
Instructors: Theresa
Hoop: Easily one of the most popular of skill toys, the simple hula-hoop has been a staple pastime of Western children since its invention in the 1800’s. A large culture of trick hooping has been developed since then, and the hoop has moved from the waist to the arms, legs, shoulders, elbows, hands and neck for an incredible variety of high-energy performance possibilities. Miniature hoops meant to be used by the hands have emerged as well, used in juggling or in a manner similar to poi. L.E.D. hoops have been made that can produce a staggering variety of colors and patterns to add extra excitement to performances.
Instructors: Theresa, Amanda
Adjuncts: Jessica, Shannon
Levi-stick/Levi-wand: This graceful skill toy is made from a small, light wand, about 18in. long, suspended at its balance point by two long, thin wires. The performer uses these wires to spin and twirl the wand, giving the appearance that the wand is floating and orbiting around them.
Instructors: Theresa
Swords: The art of sword performance has been around as long as the sword itself. From slow, graceful choreography to fast jabs and sweeps, there is a great potential for variety in the sword. They can be dual-wielded as well, borrowing moves from poi and staff as well as gaining moves all their own. Swords are also created that are specially balanced to be able to perform moves normally exclusive to contact staff.
Instructors: Devin
Rope Dart: The rope dart, or Meteor Hammer, is an assassin’s weapon of ancient China. Made from a blade or weight tethered to a 10-15ft rope, it has the longest effective range of any skill toy. Modern performance versions consist of a weight with a bright visible flag, a kevlar wick, or L.E.D.’s. The long rope allows it to be swung in poi- like weaves or wrapped around the performer’s body, to be shot out to the end of its tether in quick, sudden strikes. Rope dart is about misdirection and confusion, with the audience never knowing when or where the dart will go next!
Instructors: Devin