Theatre Studies

IB THEATRE STUDIES

Who is this course for?

IB Theatre is for students who would like to explore the subject as creators, designers, directors and performers. It is for students who would like to work 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. The 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. It enables students to discover and engage with different forms of theatre across time, place and culture and promotes international-mindedness.

Course Details

HL only - Creating theatre based on theatre theory

HL and SL - Working with play texts

At HL, students research and examine the various contexts of at least one theatre theorist. At HL, students create, present and evaluate at least one theatre piece based on an aspect(s) of a theatre theorist’s work they have explored. At HL, students practically explore at least one theatre theorist collaboratively and engage with the process of creating a piece of theatre based on their theory.

Students research and examine the various contexts of at least one published play text and reflect on live theatre they have experienced as spectators. Students take part in the practical exploration of at least two contrasting published play texts and engage with the process of transforming a play text into action. Students direct at least one scene or section from one published play text which is presented to others.

HL and SL - Examining world theatre traditions

HL and SL - Collaboratively creating original theatre

Students research and examine the various contexts of at least one world theatre tradition. Students practically examine the performance conventions of at least one world theatre tradition and apply this to the staging of a moment of theatre. Students present a moment of theatre to others which demonstrates the performance convention(s) of at least one world theatre tradition.

Students reflect on their own personal approaches, interests and skills in theatre. They research and examine at least one starting point and the approaches employed by one professional theatre company, and consider how this might influence their own personal approaches. Students respond to at least one starting point and engage with the process of transforming it collaboratively into an original piece of theatre. Students participate in at least one production of a collaboratively created piece of original theatre, created from a starting point, which is presented to others.

Career Opportunities

Theatre Studies offers students the opportunity to develop a full range of transferable skills from literacy through communication to presentational skills and opens up a range of careers including marketing, broadcasting, acting, technical theatre careers, therapy and teaching. Universities accept theatre Studies as an academic entry qualification.