YouInternational Baccalaureate Diploma Program

Theatre Course Outline

Standard Level

This is a 2-year in-depth study of theatre for High School

.

“The theatre gives an insight into the workshop in which man’s power of
action and reflection is generated. This insight offers more than an increased
understanding of life; it offers the inspiring experience of a reality
transcending that of our every day fears and satisfactions.”

- Rudolf Laban.

For this course, you will need:

1. A journal
2. A binder/folder of some sort.
3. A set of pencils, pens and coloured pencils/hi-liter pens
4. Movement clothes (jogging-pants/leggings/t-shirts Etc.)
5. A water bottle and face-towel
6. An open, curious, playful mind!

Homework

​ you are expected to write regular Journal entries. (You will be submitting your theatre journal at
#
the end of the course)
​
​#You will be writing essays, reviews and scripts throughout the course.
​
​#All research sources are to be cited using the MLA referencing guide.
​
​# You are expected to rehearse your plays and perfect your acting technique also in your own
time.

At the end of this course, you will be:

​ Demonstrating a theoretical and practical knowledge of theatrical traditions from more than
-
one culture.
​
​-Demonstrating an understanding of production elements and theatre practices.
​
​-Demonstrating an ability to understand and use language appropriate to the drama studio.
​
​-Demonstrating technical skill and confidence in acting and movement skills
​
​-Demonstrating a working knowledge of at least 2 play texts in terms of interpretation,
direction, performance and production.

​
​-Engaging in writing, directing, rehearsing and presenting performances, which will include a
basic level of technical proficiency.

-Evaluating critically a range of diverse performances including those from the canon of world
theatre traditions such as Greek or Japanese.
​
​-Reflecting on your own development in theatre through continual self-evaluation and
recording.
​
​-Acquiring appropriate research skills and applying them.
​
​-Demonstrating an ability to interpret playtexts and other types of performance texts
analytically and imaginatively.
​
​-Demonstrating initiative and perseverance in both individual and group projects.

Units
​
​Course units will include the following:

A Foundation in Theatre and Dramatic Art

you will explore the basic tenets of theatre in all its aspects:

-What is theatre? What is theatre, who makes it and who do they make it for?

-Genres of theatre: Classical, folk, religious, musical, absurdist, realist, surrealist, physical Etc.

-Elements of theatre: Exploring the different activities that go into making theatre such as
acting, writing, directing, producing, designing and so on.

-Famous Theatre People: A survey of the cast of characters we will meet over the two years and
some we should know about anyway: Aristotle, Shakespeare, Ze’ami, Laban, Le Coq, Sondheim,
Robbins, Stanislavsky, Chekov, Bausch.

-Theatre and society: What relevance does theatre have to me as a practitioner and to society as a
whole?
​
​Practical Dramatic Art
​
​Language from the drama studio:
​
​-given circumstances
​-motivations
​-actions
​-obstacles
​-emotional memory
​ character
-
​-Physicality
​-Up/down stage Etc.
​
​
​General dramatic terminology/concepts:
​
​- Theme
​- Text
​- Subtext
​- Context (fictional/real)
​- Setting
​- Stage directions
​- Setting
​- Given circumstances
​- Character
​- Motivation
​- Protagonist
​- Antagonist
​- Exposition
​-Rising action
​- Conflict
​l) Climax
​m) Resolution
​
​Dramatic art (acting)
​
​1) The actors' warm up
​a) to warm up the body (Laban/Mettler)
​b) to warm up the voice (Berry/Laban)
​c) to warm up the imagination (Chekov/Laban/McGregor)
​
2) Theatre games:
​
​a) to cultivate group awareness, coordination and cooperation
​b) to encourage spontaneous imaginative response
​c) to increase vocal expressiveness
​d) to increase verbal expressiveness
​e) to increase body expressiveness
​f) to establish the practices of a vibrant ensemble
​
​3) Dramatic improvisation:
​
​a) to practice acting within various sets of given circumstances
​b) to enhance the ability to react spontaneously “in the moment”
​c) to practice manipulating the elements of drama
​d) to build confidence in the ability to act out scenarios
​
World theatre: Conventions in theory and in practice.

You will study the theatrical conventions of at least one world tradition. You will:

-Research the theory and critique at least 2 excerpts of performances from the selected genre.

-Using your research as a starting point, you will stage a scene or a moment from a text from
within the selected genre.

-Using your research as a starting point, you will create your own original moment of theatre in
the style of the selected genre and write a rationale.

Creating theatre collaboratively.

You will reflect on your experience, skills and interests in theatre to create, write, direct and
produce an original piece of theatre. You will have the freedom to choose the genre, medium and
influences of your original production. You will be responsible for every aspect of their project
including the casting of actors and the organisation of the backstage requirements such as
set/costume designers, lighting/sound team and stagehands. The piece should be 13 to 15
minutes long.

Methods of Instruction:
​
​- Participation in acting and movement exercises
​
​- Lecture
​
​- Discussion
​
​- Pair work
​
​- Group work
​
​- Self-directed research

-Audio visual materials

Suggested study material
- Actor Training the Laban Way: Adrian, Barbara
- Theatre: Art in Action: Taylor, Robert & Strickland, Robert
- Everything About Theatre: Lee, Robert
Suggested Theatre Theorists: Rudolf Laban/Jacques Le Coq
Suggested Playtexts: Oedipus Rex - Sophocles Macbeth/Julius Caesar - W.Shakespeare.
The Children's Hour - Lillian Hellman
Suggested World Theatre Traditions: Japanese Nōgaku/ Greek Tragedy

Assessments
External assessment tasks include:
-Director’s notebook: You will choose and research a published play text which hasn’t
been covered during the course. You will consider how they might stage it and share
your ideas individually in a presentation lasting no more than 15 minutes.
(35% of final mark)

-You will research the conventions of a theatre genre not covered during the course
and share with your peers your findings in an individual presentation lasting no more
than 15 minutes. The presentation must include an outline and a physical
demonstration of your research.
(30% of final mark)

Internal assessment task:

You will present your original, collaborative piece of the theatre for your peers.
(35% of final mark)