Group 6 - Arts. Offered at HL and SL
“Imagination is more important than knowledge” -Albert Einstein
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.
Students become not only aware of their own cultural perspectives, appreciating the diversity of theatre practices, but it allows students to engage with different forms of theatre across time, place and culture and promotes international-mindedness.
IB Theatre Arts focuses on 3 core areas that students approach from the perspectives of:
This area of the syllabus addresses the students understanding that theatre does not occur in a vacuum. Students examine the personal, theoretical and cultural contexts that inform theatre making and ways in which these affect and influence creating, designing, directing, performing and spectating. Students will:
This area of the syllabus addresses the student’s exploration of the skills, techniques and processes involved in theatre making. Students reflect on their own creative processes and gain a practical understanding of the processes of others; creators, designers, directors and performers. Students will:
This area of the syllabus addresses the staging and presentation of theatre as well as the presentation of ideas, research and discoveries through diverse modes of presentation, both practical and written.
Students consider the impact theatre can have on the spectator. They are encouraged to think about their own artistic intentions as creators, designers and performers and the impact they wish to have on an audience. Students will:
Activities Include:
A crucial pre-requisite for studying Theatre is an interest in the Dramatic Arts. However, studying Theatre is not just for those who wish to become actors, writers or directors - far from it. Theatre is for those who are interested in studying what it is to be human and how this can be explored, portrayed and defined through creative and theatrical means. One major difference between IB Theatre and GCSE Drama courses is that there is more written work involved. IB Theatre is by no means an easy subject and is also very time-consuming during terms of practical work. Long hours of rehearsal can be wonderful if you enjoy creating Theatre, but not if you’re looking for an easy ride.
The Department has a tradition of producing excellent productions and training student skills in physical and vocal performance to a very sophisticated level. Theatre students are encouraged and expected to participate in and learn about all performance arts.
The Theatre course prepares students not only for either a degree or diploma in all aspects of theatre, acting, directing, technical theatre, producer, and compliments a multitude of other career paths from Law, English, Philosophy, Business (the business of theatre like many of the arts is a very lucrative and vibrant industry in many countries across the globe, and on top of this many successful businesses require creative people to succeed) Marketing, Media, Film, TV, Humanities, Anthropology, Psychology to name just a few areas that studying Theatre Arts will benefit and prepare students for. On top of this the confidence gained and practical work completed throughout the course will undoubtedly impact on their university applications and interviews.
The IB Theatre HL Subject Brief
The IB Theatre SL Subject Brief