Professional dancers understand the importance of using stage props in their act. A cane or whip or other object can play an important role in communicating the choreographer's vision. I have recently been working with live props, which are like any other props except that they are alive. While live props - when used properly- can add dimension to a performance, they can also prove to be a real challenge. The best (or worst) example of this occurred recently. I was preparing for my annual Potable Water's One-Man President's Day Blues Danse Experience, where I had intended to include a live prop named Matt Samfort. Matt cleans my studio/apartment and I give him free Danse lessons in return. I decided that he was ready to do some back-up dancing (as a live prop) during my one-man show. In fact, I had planned to use him for most of the numbers, including the big finale, Everyone Mount Rushmore. I felt that we were rehearsed and ready and then, as if in some nightmare, my prop quit the show and the performance was postponed for an entire year! The lesson here, is that live props may not be worth the hassle, so be careful.
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