FAQ - Miderm Exams - Research Presentation

What?

A presentation lasting 7 to 10 mins.

1. On what?

On any unique performance convention of the Ancient Greek Tragedy or Comedy that is required by the actor.

2. What?!

A performance convention is a significant and identifiable element of performance that is usually culturally recognized, accepted and identified as a key feature of the theatre tradition. In Ancient Greek Theatre is mainly Mask (the use of full face masks), Voice (Strong, in Rhyme, not everyday voice), Gesture of the Performer or the Chorus (Big, Ritualistic, expressive, larger than everyday movements). Performance conventions have a particular function within a tradition and are a key feature of communication to the audience.

3. What would be the context of this presentation?

You should dedicate 4 to 6 mins talking about the Theatre Tradition (Ancient Greek Theatre) you chose and its cultural and theoretical context and then spend the next 2 to 3 mins. Then you have to physically demonstrate your own practical and physical explorations of the performance convention you chose and its application to a moment of theatre. At the end you must reflect on the impact this has had on you as a performer and as a learner.

4. Cultural and theoretical context?

Do not let the words mislead you. What is Ancient Greek Theatre and its characteristics, why they were using masks, why they had to do big gestures, why the voice had to be strong, what the chorus or the performer were doing, how it was connected to democracy etc.

5. Physically demonstrate?

Yes, here is the catch you should PERFORM the aspect you chosen. It is advisable to present your moment of theatre with a "stop and start" approach within the main presentation, in order to explain and analyse the relevant points regarding the use of Mask, Voice, Gesture in Ancient Greek Theatre and, its cultural and theoretical contexts.

6. Moment of Theatre?

Your presentation includes the application of the research (we have done in class for the Ancient Greek Theatre) to a "work-in-progress" demonstration of an appropriate moment of theatre that demonstrates and explains the performance convention you have practically and physically explored. For example find or construct any type of mask (it could be a paper bag with holes for the eyes and mouth) and try to say out loud any small passage from a play that you like or saw (choose anything from Perses that we saw together if nothing comes to your mind). Pick something small, no more that 3 or 5 lines

or

choose to use a moment from a story you have written yourselves which you think best demonstrates and explains the use of Mask or Gesture or Voice in Ancient Greek Theatre.

Remember your Moment of Theatre will be presented as a "work in progress" which will not be expected to be a polished performance.

7. Reflect on the impact?

The impact that your exploration of your Moment of Theatre had on your learning and your development as a performer. To put it in simple words….When you wear your mask or you performed your chosen lines with Mask on or with big, ritualistic Gestures or in rhyme in a loud Voice in an open space… How that make you feel, what was the impact to someone who saw you and was it different than your experience acting in melodrama?

8. Do I have to say all… but there is no time?

You have to CHOSE what to say and leave only the information that is important for the convention you chose to work with (Mask, Gesture, Voice).

9. But I can not find or construct a mask or costume and this essential for my presentation!

You do not have to… the IBO Th.Arts Guide states: ‘Where there are key production elements of the tradition that are intrinsic to the performance convention being explored (such as basic costume, props, set pieces or stage layout) and that are deemed essential to the demonstration, it is recommended that these production elements are created or sourced as "mock-ups" (for example, simple piece of fabric to suggest costume, cardboard representations of props, marked out space to show scale and layout of the stage space) to prevent students from spending time and resources on elements that are not assessed.’ So, as we said a paper bag with 3 holes for eyes and mouth to use as a Mask or an old blanket to use as a Costume.

10. Can I have my notes while I am presenting?

Yes, you may refer to notes, slides or other prompts during the presentation, but to ensure the presentation engages your audience you should avoid simply reading from a pre-prepared script.

11. Can someone help me?

No DURING the presentation buy I STRONGLY ADVISE YOU to pair up with a classmate and REHEARSE a few day BEFORE your exams. Tell him/her to ask questions and challenge you to be clearer in the expression of your understanding of the world theatre tradition and your experience of the process of practical exploration. This may involve question and answer sessions, support with choosing a moment of theatre, gaining feedback on the presentation and other structured coaching activities. Key interactions with peer mentors (who may or may not be members of the IB theatre class parents, friends etc) must be clearly recorded in the theatre journal and addressed in the presentation where the student must reflect on how this support has impacted on their explorations and learning. In other words note down what they say to you as a feedback.

12. Supplementary materials?

First of all you can use all the material I gave you (Essential Theatre, History of Theatre and from the book Theatre in Practice) plus anything else you want from the internet or not. You can use any relevant and appropriate supplementary materials that will enhance the presentation of your research into performance and demonstrate the process of their explorations (such as projections, video extracts, handouts, images, props, photographs and so on).

13. Other resources?

Where resources are used to enhance the presentation, copies of these resources should be submitted along with the list of sources (especially if these resources were not clearly seen or understood within the video recording). This could include PDF copies of presentation slides, projection images, handouts and photographs that may have been seen during the presentation.

14. References?

“Any illustrations, charts, mind maps, visuals, diagrams or designs used within the presentation must be clearly annotated and appropriately referenced to acknowledge the source, following the referencing style chosen by the school. When students include any of their own photographs or images in the presentation, these must also be identified and acknowledged in the same way.” From the IBO Th.Arts Guide. Please do reference and quote any book, image, site etc you use. Because: a) no one can accuse you of plagiarism and b) you show to the examiner how hard you researched!.

15. Structure of the presentation?

Ok, the IBO guide suggest the following structure and it is a wise idea to use too:

1. The world theatre tradition and its context (General Info for Ancient Greek Theatre) 2-3 mins2. Performance conventions and the process of their physical and practical explorations (chose

either Mask, Voice or Gesture) 2-3 mins3. Demonstration and explanation of the convention applied to a moment of theatre (perform!) 3-4

mins4. The impact of this study on me as a learner?(what did I learn) 1-2 mins

I PANICKING THIS IS TOO MUCH, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND!!!!!!

Well.. first of all relax. ..

Step 1. Go for the easy option and chose Mask Step 2. Read from the sources I have given you about Ancient Greek Theatre (Chose comedy or Tragedy) and keep notes on WHAT it is Ancient Greek Theatre and HOW & WHY they use MASK, Step 3. Find an extract form an Ancient Greek Comedy/Tragedy or chose something you wrote your self, (make it short pls, I do not know 5 line?)Step 4. Find or construct a mask (paper bag, 3 holes) and present the extract to a classmate of yours (this is your Moment of Theatre)Step 5. Discuss and keep notes and pics (vid?) on how you felt and the impact it had to you and the audience, Step 6. Write your notes following the structure I gave you about the presentation,Step 7. Present the presentation to your classmate including the Moment of Theatre you rehearse previously Step 8. Re-write your notes taking on board what your classmate gave you as feedback (was it clear, understandable or was it over or under time?)Step 9. Rehearse your presentation alone for once moreStep 10. Take the exams!!!

Good Luck!