IB Group 6 Subjects - Theater SL and HL

Theater SL and HL

According to the new syllabus introduced in 2009, the IB Theater Arts programme is made out of four components; two are internally assessed and two are externally assessed. The internal assessments are the Theater Performance and Production Presentation (TPPP) and the Independent Project Portfolio (IPP). The external components are a Practical Performance Proposal (PPP) and a Research Investigation (RI).

The TPPP is a presentation on the student's involvement in their performance and production aspects of all areas of the core syllabus. The presentation is 30 minutes long for HL and should be supported by 7–10 visual materials (no larger than A4). For SL, the presentation is 20 minutes long and should be supported by 5–7 visual materials (no larger than A4).

The IPP is an essay of 3000 words at HL and 2000 at SL in which the student reflects on his/her learning and development during the production of an independent project, which is a project in which the student explores and practices a role in the theater (actor, director, dramaturg, scriptwriter, etc.). It should also show a connection to their experiences in the core syllabus. There are two options: Option A: Devising Practice and Option B: Exploring Practice. The portfolio must include sections marked Preparation, Action, and Reflection.

For the PPP, the student has to adopt a directorial perspective and write a concept for a play using one of the prescribed stimuli. For SL, it contains a 250-word pitch and explanatory, visual material that illustrates the student's understanding of the intended process of realization. For HL, it also includes a 1,000-1,250 word rationale.

The RI is a research essay in which the student presents his or her research on a previously unfamiliar theater practice. From the chosen theater practice, students should choose a specific aspect of a play or theater piece and create a research question to answer. Student's research should contribute to a realization of the play or theater piece from their chosen theatrical practice. The practice cannot be studied in class and must be no later than the 19th century. The question must be taken from a directorial, actor, or designer perspective. For SL, the essay must be 1,500-1,750 words with visual documentation and/or textual references. For HL, the essay must be 2,000-2,500 words with visual documentation and/or textual references. At HL, students must also write a critique of the sources in the research investigation.