GROUP 6 - THEATRE ARTS

Theatre is a composite art that is forever evolving in new forms. It nourishes, sustains and extends the human spirit. It is innately creative and experimental in its philosophy; in its practice, it demands collaboration, curiosity, resourcefulness and risk. 

Theatre Arts emphasises the importance of working individually and as a member of an ensemble. Students are encouraged to develop the organisational and technical skills needed to express themselves creatively in theatre. A further challenge for students following this course is for them to become aware of their own perspectives and biases, and of the ways in which they function inside a creative group, and to learn to respect and appreciate cultural diversity – as it is communicated through world theatre – and to see the powerful role theatre plays in reflecting the cultural, political and historical prism of the world. 

At the core of the theatre course lies a concern with clarity of understanding, critical thinking, reflective analysis, effective involvement and imaginative synthesis – all of which should be achieved through practical engagement with the theatre. The Theatre Arts student is a theatrical practitioner, engaged in all levels of theatrical conception and applied stagecraft.

Standard Level

1. Theatre in Context: The study of at least one stimulus – or play-text that will develop into an action plan for performance.
2. Theatre Processes: Participation in at least two performances in two different roles/capacities.
3. Presenting Theatre: Studies from an international perspective of selected texts and traditions. At least two contrasting practices are studied.
4. Independent Project: Creation and presentation of an original work inspired by any source, from any origin. Pursuit of a specialised interest with rigour and imagination.

ASSESSMENT

Internal Assessment
Collaborative Project
Students collaborate to create and present an original piece of theatre for and to a specified target audience, created from a starting point of their choice.

Standard Level 35%
Higher Level 25%

External Assessment

Task 1: Solo Theatre Piece (HL only)
Students research a theatre theorist, identify an aspect(s) of their theory and create and present a solo theatre piece based on this aspect(s) of theory.

Higher Level 35%

Task 2: Director’s Notebook (SL and HL)
Students choose a published play 0r text and develop ideas regarding how it could be staged for an audience.

Standard Level 35%
Higher Level 20%

Task 3: Research Presentation (SL and HL)
Students plan and deliver an individual presentation to their peers in which they outline and physically demonstrate their research into a convention of a theatre tradition they have not previously studied.

Standard Level 30%
Higher Level 20%