Aims of the course

Theatre is a dynamic, collaborative and live art form. It is a practical subject that encourages discovery through experimentation, the taking of risks and the presentation of ideas to others. It results in the development of both theatre and life skills; the building of confidence, creativity and working collaboratively. It encompasses all aspects of the IB learner profile and encourages you to take yourself out of your comfort zone and to explore world theatre in all of its guises.

Course outline

The course is a multi-faceted theatre-making course of study. It gives students the opportunity to make theatre as creators, designers, directors and performers. It emphasizes the importance of working both individually and collaboratively as part of an ensemble. It offers the opportunity to engage actively in the creative process, transforming ideas into action as inquisitive and productive artists.

Students experience the course from contrasting artistic perspectives. They learn to apply research and theory to inform and to contextualize their work. The theatre course encourages students to appreciate that through the processes of researching, creating, preparing, presenting and critically reflecting on theatre, as participants and audience members, they gain a richer understanding of themselves, their community and the world.

Through the study of theatre, students become aware of their own personal and cultural perspectives, developing an appreciation of the diversity of theatre practices, their processes and their mode of presentation. It enables students to discover and engage with different forms of theatre across time, place and culture and strives to develop a practical exploration of international-mindedness.

Assessment

External assessment

• Task 1: Solo Theatre Piece (HL only)
  Students at higher level research a theatre theorist they have not previously studied, identify one or more aspects of their theory and create and present a solo theatre piece (4-8 minutes) based on this aspect of theory.
  35%

• Task 2: Director’s Notebook (SL and HL)
  Students at standard and higher level choose a published play text they have not previously studied and develop ideas regarding how it could be staged for an audience.
  35% SL / 20% HL

• Task 3: Research Presentation (SL and HL)
  Students at standard and higher level plan and deliver an individual presentation (15 minutes’ maximum) to their peers in which they outline and physically demonstrate their research into a convention of a theatre tradition they have not previously studied.
  30% SL / 20% HL

Internal assessment

• Task 4: Collaborative Project (SL and HL)
  Students at standard and higher level collaboratively create and present an original piece of theatre (lasting 13-15 minutes) for and to a specified target audience, created from a starting point of their choice.
  35% SL / 25% HL

Career Links

Studying theatre opens up a plethora of future career opportunities. It is a course that opens up many pathways and avenues for students to develop a lifelong passion for the creative arts. We have had numerous students go on to study theatre at various levels and in a variety of different fields. These have included lighting design, acting, musical theatre, dance, filmography, tv and radio presenting. The possibilities for exploring theatre can be applied to any career path but study at standard or higher could whet your appetite for careers in- set, lighting, sound or projection design, television presenter, dramatherapist, dramaturgy, directing, producing, costume designer, make-up artist, playwright, theatre critic, film critic, dancer, choreographer, documentary maker, voice over artist, teacher… the possibilities are endless. Above all though we hope to inspire your love for the subject and to nurture a lifelong appreciation of the arts in their numerous forms.