FIVE TRUTHS Director and Writer: Katie Mitchell
Copyright: V&A Museum
Solo Theatre Piece (HL ONLY)
Assessment
You will present a piece of theatre that is underpinned by a theatrical theory.
The student will create and present a solo theatre piece (4–8 minutes) based on the aspect(s) of theory they have not studied before.
This will be filmed, and an unedited clip will be submitted. Alongside this you will submit a 3,000 word (maximum) report that considers the aspect of the theory you chose, your performance, the direction of the piece and (if appropriate) the creation of your piece. The report will discuss how you have applied the theory in detail. It will also reflect on to what extent you have understood and achieved the theory. The video you provide will be used to see if your theatre piece matches your report's discussion. The subheadings for the report are:
- The theorist, the theory and the contexts
- Practical explorations and developments of the solo theatre piece
- Evaluation of the solo theatre piece and my personal reflections
- Works Cited
Process
You will select a theatre theorist and explore their context. Consider the impact that the theory has upon the audience, and how and why the aspect of the theory you chose, was used.
You will then select a specific aspect of their theory, and explore this practically. Make sure to choose an aspect we can see in performance - movement, voice, media as a production element. If it is an aspect that focuses on the thinking of the actor/character it is encouraged that you find a different aspect and perhaps theorist altogether.
The theatre theory must be of a practical nature and come from a Theatre Practitioner who has a body of work, which has made a significant contribution to the development of theatre practice over time. This must be someone who has writings (and such) available in their own words.
You will then rehearse and eventually perform your piece of theatre.
Subsequently, you will write a report that explains the context, the theory and the relationship between theory and practice, how you explored the aspect as a performer, how you intentionally created your piece, looking at feedback and reflecting on that feedback during the creative process and after you perform for an audience.
You may use existing text(s) associated to that practice or theory, or you may use a different text. Alternatively, you could create your own.
Tips
You will have a mentor within your class who gives you feedback, watches you rehearse and assists you in all aspects of your performance. Consider what skills, qualities and strategies a good mentor has, and what you would like from your mentor. You should create a ‘contract’ between yourself and your mentor.
You should consider the design of the production elements (sound, set, costume, lights and so on), and you can engage someone else to develop these for you, although you will not be formally assessed on these elements.
Consider:
Choose a Theorist that draws on your strengths
What aspect of the theory you will focus on
How will the aspect impact your intention for the piece
Feedback and Reflection - both during the creative
process and after the performance.
