Solo Theatre Exam EXTERNAL 35%
HL Only
Approach: Creator, Director, Designer, and Performer
Introduction
You will research a theatre theorist they have not previously studied, identify an aspect (or aspects) of their theory,
create, present and film a solo theatre piece (4–8 minutes) based on an aspect(s) of this theory. Finally you will
present a written report of no more than 3,000 words.
This Exam has two parts.
1.
4 to 8 minute solo performance in the style of a theorist you are studying.
2.
3000 word research report on the theorist and your performance.
Selecting the Theatre Theorist:
Select a theatre theorist that we have not work on in class. They must have made a significant impact on the theatre
world and have material that is documented and publicly available.
Sample Theorists:
 Stella Adler
 Uta Hagen
 Viola Spolin
 Samuel Becket
 Stanford Meisner
 Kristin Linklater
 Michael Chekov
 Peter Brook
 Konstantin Stanislavsky
 Antonin Artaud
 Augusto Boal
 Bertolt Brecht
 Edward Gordon Craig
 Tim Etchells
 Robert Wilson
 Steven Beroff
 Jerzy Grotowski
 Robert lePage
 Dario Fo
 Eugino Barba
 Vsevold Meyerhold
 Jacques Lecoq
 And many many more….
Selecting Performance Material
In addition to the research you are collecting for your report you also need to prepare a 4 to 8 minute solo
performance, that will be filmed, in that theorists style. This can consist of:
1. Existing text that can be adapted (short story, poem, newspaper article)
2. New text that you create
3. No text (if the theorist is textless i.e. Grotowski)
4. Play text. This does not need to be from the theorist’s canon. (You would not need to choose a play
by Bertolt Brecht in order to explore an aspect of Epic theatre, you could, perhaps, choose to adapt a
Naturalistic play text instead. If using a play text, this does not need to be one continuous speech but
may be a number of sections of text woven together by the student.)
Designing and Directing
This is a solo project and you are responsible for your own design and directing choices. Although you may need
technical elements you do not have to operate them on your own during your performance. Make sure your source
all of your ideas.
Peer Mentor
You will select another student to be your peer mentor. This person is allowed to watch your rehearsals and
give you notes and tips. Your teacher may not do this.
Requirements of the video recording
The video recording must be a continuous, unedited record and must capture the full theatre piece. The video
camera must not be switched off at any point during the presentation. More information and guidance on the video
recording of internal and external assessments can be found in the Handbook of procedures for the Diploma
Programme.
The Report
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
3000 word maximum. Text within a visual does not count towards the word count
Written in formal academic language
Can be written in 1st person
Presents personal discoveries, explorations, creation and analysis of theatre piece.
Can include relevant illustrations, annotated text, charts, mind maps, visuals, diagrams, or designs
considered necessary.
6. Make sure you source ANY images, text and even your own work in MLA format.
Format
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Cover Page
Table of contents
The theorist, the theory and the contexts
Practical explorations and development of the solo piece.
Evaluation of the solo theatre piece and personal reflections.
Works cited.
Sample Projects
Solo Performance Checklist
Theorist Selection. Have you:

Selected a theorist you have not studied?

Researched the theorist using primary and secondary sources?

Conducted research beyond the internet?
Performance Preparation. Have you:

Selected an aspect of the theory you want to focus?

Chosen material for a performance that is 4 to 8 minutes?

Rehearsed with a peer mentor?

Designed all elements of the technical work on your own?

Selected students to assist you in the execution of your performance?
Performance. Have you:

Filmed your solo piece?

Checked to make sure the camera was rolling non stop from the beginning of your piece until the end?

Designed all elements of the technical work on your own?
Written Report. Have you:

Written a report that has a maximum of 3,000 words?

Written about the theorist including their theory and the context of their work?

Written about how you approached the solo piece

Written a reflection?

Included a works cited of all primary and secondary sources?
Solo Project Rubric