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THEATRE ARTS

INTRODUCTION

Extended essays in Theatre Arts should provide the opportunity to undertake research at an introductory level into a limited topic which is of particular interest to the candidate. The study should involve imaginative, personal and critical evaluation combined with disciplined and accurate research. No Extended Essay in Theatre Arts should be based exclusively on textbooks.

THE NATURE OF THE SUBJECT

Theatre is not life any more than landscape painting is nature. Theatre is an art. Indeed, it is a composite art, which incorporates several arts and several crafts; the actor's art, the playwrite's art, the director's art and the designer's art; the carpenter's craft, the scenepainter's craft, the costumier's craft and the electrician's craft. Off-stage, it incorporates an individual spectrum of skills, from the accountant's to the publicity agent's. And it is the degree of skill and cohesion with which these arts, crafts and skills are combined which determines how effective, often how life-like, a theatrical event will be. For the truth of the theatre lies in its artifice. To approach an understanding of that truth, students must become acquainted with the forms and varieties that artifice has taken throughout history in a diversity of cultures.

CHOICE OF TOPIC

Theatre Arts embraces a number of elements which all contribute to the whole truth, which is a performance. An Extended Essay may focus on any of these elements; it always seems most fruitful if the specific is seen and presented in the context of the whole process. The most satisfactory essays maintain this balance. For example, one student explored the place of design in theatre by looking at the impact of design on Zeffirelli's production 'Much Ado About Nothing' and also designing her own production of the play by which she laid bare something of the imaginative dialect between the designer and the director. To some extent she went out to develop this in relation to the actors, lighting, designer. The least satisfactory essays are those which are narrowly literary, divorced from the process of theatre and usually from their historical context as well. The collaborative nature of all performance can hardly be stressed too often.

Comparison between aspects of two or more different theatrical practices are permissible, but candidates must take great care to ensure that the comparisons are on the one hand genuine, clear, specific, and on the other, a manifestation of sensitive and objective analysis.

An essay requires an argument. The use of materials such as drawings, pictures, plans and photographs should be encouraged where they appropriately illustrate the discussion/argument.

The following examples of Theatre Arts Extended Essays are intended for guidance only.

An investigation into the function of masks in a selection of Zeami Motokiyo's plays is better than No drama.

Contrasting female stereotypes in a selection of Brecht's plays is better than Brecht/s aesthetic theories.

A study of the effects of the use of fabrics and lighting in the Tempest is better than Shakespeare's Problem Plays.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
J To what extent does the candidate demonstrate a personal point of view based on thorough knowledge of the theatrical aspects of the chosen topic?

Achievement Level

0 The candidate demonstrates no satisfactory knowledge or understanding of the theatrical aspects of the topic.

1 The candidate demonstrates some knowledge of the theatrical aspects of the topic but does not attempt to express a personal view.

2 The candidate demonstrates a satisfactory knowledge of the theatrical aspects of the topic and indicates a personal point of view.

3 The candidate demonstrates a satisfactory knowledge of the theatrical aspects of the topic and makes an attempt to illustrate and justify a personal point of view.

4 The candidate demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the theatrical aspects of the topic, and illustrates and fully justifies a personal point of view.
K To what extent does the candidate make use of appropriate sources?

Achievement Level

0 There is no evidence of the use of any appropriate sources.

1 There is little evidence of the use of any appropriate sources and these are ineffectively used.

2 There is evidence of the use of appropriate sources but these are not always used effectively.

3 There is evidence of the effective use of a considered selection of appropriate sources.

4 There is strong evidence of the highly effective use of an original and considered selection pf appropriate sources.
L To what extent does the candidate place the discussion/ argument in its historical/socio-cultural context?

Achievement Level

0 The discussion/argument is not placed in its historical/socio-cultural context.

1 The discussion/argument is very loosely placed in its historical/socio-cultural context with little attempt at analysis. Very few of the relevant links have been noted.

2 The discussion/argument is loosely placed in its historical/socio-cultural context. The context has been analysed superficially. Few of the relevant links have been observed.

3 The discussion/argument has been placed in its historical/socio-cultural context. The context has been analysed with some care. Some of the relevant links have been adequately explored.

4 The discussion/argument is directly and clearly placed in its historical/socio-cultural context. The context has been carefully, critically and systematically analysed. Most relevant links have been thoroughly explored.
IB Homepage Extended Essay homepage General guidelines General grading criteria Subject grading criteria

J	To what extent does the candidate demonstrate a personal point of view based on thorough knowledge of the theatrical aspects of the chosen topic?
Achievement Level
0	The candidate demonstrates no satisfactory knowledge or understanding of the theatrical aspects of the topic.
1	The candidate demonstrates some knowledge of the theatrical aspects of the topic but does not attempt to express a personal view.
2	The candidate demonstrates a satisfactory knowledge of the theatrical aspects of the topic and indicates a personal point of view.
3	The candidate demonstrates a satisfactory knowledge of the theatrical aspects of the topic and makes an attempt to illustrate and justify a personal point of view.
4	The candidate demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the theatrical aspects of the topic, and illustrates and fully justifies a personal point of view.

K	To what extent does the candidate make use of appropriate sources?
Achievement Level
0	There is no evidence of the use of any appropriate sources.
1	There is little evidence of the use of any appropriate sources and these are ineffectively used.
2	There is evidence of the use of appropriate sources but these are not always used effectively.
3	There is evidence of the effective use of a considered selection of appropriate sources.
4	There is strong evidence of the highly effective use of an original and considered selection pf appropriate sources.

L	To what extent does the candidate place the discussion/ argument in its historical/socio-cultural context?
Achievement Level
0	The discussion/argument is not placed in its historical/socio-cultural context.
1	The discussion/argument is very loosely placed in its historical/socio-cultural context with little attempt at analysis. Very few of the relevant links have been noted.
2	The discussion/argument is loosely placed in its historical/socio-cultural context. The context has been analysed superficially. Few of the relevant links have been observed.
3	The discussion/argument has been placed in its historical/socio-cultural context. The context has been analysed with some care. Some of the relevant links have been adequately explored.
4	The discussion/argument is directly and clearly placed in its historical/socio-cultural context. The context has been carefully, critically and systematically analysed. Most relevant links have been thoroughly explored.