Year Two

             As I enter year two of the IB Theatre HL course, I reflect back to when I first started last August. My whole perception on theatre and this course have changed completely. It has definitely been a reality shock for me. I was under the impression that this course would come easily to me, and although I was aware of the workload, I didn't think it would be hard succeed. However, I was completely wrong.

            This course is in no way similar to what I had initially expected. The concept of being an ensemble seemed straightforward. However, it was an extremely difficult and lengthy task. In theatre I was very naïve in terms of what was going on underneath the surface of our ensemble. I was under the impression that we all liked each other, and that although we weren’t all best friends, we were able to work together and be friendly to one another. I was completely wrong about that. There was a lot of tension and underlying drama that I was unaware of. Therefore, when the big fights began, I was extremely surprised.

            Aside from learning what a true ensemble is, what I have learned so far in IB Theatre, is that what I originally thought was good isn’t good enough. I have always put in a good amount of effort into my work. However, in order to succeed in theatre, the amount of effort one must put in needs to be above the average. I would work hard on assignments and turn them in expecting to get a 6 or a 7 and I would get a 4. I have always struggled with depth and the ability to analyze something. This has been my biggest downfall so far. However, I am starting to get better.

            The thing I have enjoyed most so far is also what I consider to have been the most challenging. The IB Theatre Showcase, Lost Luggage, although an enjoyable and rewarding experience, was extremely stressful. The time constrains and pressure that we were all under made it very difficult to process by the end of the eight weeks. There were moments when we would become counter-productive and get very snappy with each other. We had to remind each other that getting snappy and having drama wasn’t going to get us anywhere, considering the whole point of the eight weeks was to become an ensemble, not to destroy all relationships within the ensemble.

            This year I am looking forward to the independent project. I probably won’t end up devising, but I am considering researching a style of theatre. I am excited to pick something that interests me and create something based on it. I have considered researching stage make up or costumes. I thought that it might be cool if I chose make up, to research traditional stage make up from different cultures, and then test them out on different members of the ensemble. I would then display them during the showcase.

            For the final year of IB Theatre, I am most apprehensive about all of the assessments. Last year coming into the course, I wasn’t as nervous because I thought I could easily get good grades because it’s work that I enjoy. However, I quickly learned that despite enjoying the work I was doing, good grades in theatre are difficult to come by. There are a lot of skills required, such as the ability to analyze and go in depth about something. This year, I am scared that what I think is good work won’t be good enough to get the grades that I aim for.           

           

            Over the past year in IB Theatre, our ensemble has covered many of the core component requirements. We have covered text-based and non text-based studies such as our unit on Commedia dell’Arte and the Theatre vs. Oppression work we did with Jennifer Hartley etc. We have also studied isms such as Feminism, Dadaism, Realism etc. Another key component we have covered has been taking on different production roles. A lot of emphasis has been put on the roles within a production, aside from the performers. I was a performer in “Beauty in the Beast” and I helped a bit with make up in “Alice in Wonderland”. This year I hope to be a performer in “Avenue Q”, and then assistant direct the Middle School Production of “Snow”.

            After completing the first year of IB Theatre, I think that the nature/purpose of theatre is not just for audience enjoyment, but also for oneself. Theatre gives you the chance to explore a different person and a different persons perspective. You dive into a different world for a few hours. It is relieving for those people who find that they might need an escape. The audience too can find a relief from watching theatre. If the actors do their job well, they should be creating an alternate world for the audience members to immerse themselves within. The purpose is to ultimately make it as beneficial of a experience for the audience members, as it is for the actors, and visa versa.

            Any student who aspires to do well would ultimately want the best possible grade. Therefore, ultimately, I would obviously want a 7 in theatre. However, I feel like that would be a bit over my head. I ended up with a 5 last year and I understand why that it is. Like I said previously, the standards for this course are above the average. Therefore, extra effort has to be put in in order to succeed. However, I don’t want to end up with a 5 in IB Theatre. Although a 5 is a good grade, I would be thrilled if I got a 6. I mean a 7 would be amazing, but I would be very happy receiving a 6.

            To conclude, I enter year two of IB Theatre finding myself more prepared in terms of what lies ahead. I understand that the average isn’t going to get me more than a 4, and I am extremely motivated to get a 6 by the end of the course. This is going to require a lot of practice in depth and analysis.