Introduction
In the IB Theatre Solo Theatre Piece (HL only), your performance must be based on research into a theatre theorist and their principles. But beyond applying conventions, you also need to choose supporting material—the text, themes, or images that serve as the foundation for your solo. The material you select will shape how effectively you can apply theory, engage your audience, and reflect in your portfolio.
This guide explains how to choose material that supports your Solo Theatre Piece and maximizes your assessment success.
Quick Start Checklist
- Select material that aligns with your chosen theorist’s principles.
- Ensure it offers creative flexibility for experimentation.
- Choose material that can be sustained in a 6–8 minute solo.
- Reflect on why this material connects to your performance goals.
- Document how the material shaped your rehearsal process.
Why Material Choice Matters
The Solo Piece counts for 35% of the HL grade, and examiners expect your material to:
- Demonstrate a clear connection to your chosen theorist.
- Support the application of practitioner conventions.
- Provide a strong basis for audience engagement.
- Inspire meaningful reflection in your report.
Strong material choice makes it easier to embody theory in practice.
What Counts as Supporting Material?
1. Texts
- A play extract, poem, or piece of prose.
- Works particularly suited to theorist application (e.g., Brecht’s political texts, Artaud’s symbolic language).
