Introduction
The Collaborative Project in IB Theatre is all about process. While the performance is created as an ensemble, assessment is individual, and examiners want to see how you contributed, reflected, and grew as a theatre-maker. Documentation is the bridge between your creative journey and your final grade. Without it, even strong contributions may not be fully recognized.
This guide will show you how to document your process effectively in the Collaborative Project so your portfolio demonstrates both creativity and critical reflection.
Quick Start Checklist
- Keep a rehearsal journal from the very first session.
- Include notes, sketches, diagrams, and reflections.
- Document both successes and challenges honestly.
- Show how research and theory influenced your process.
- Reflect on both individual contributions and ensemble dynamics.
Why Documentation Matters
Examiners assess the Collaborative Project based on process, not just product. Strong documentation shows that you:
- Engaged actively in the ensemble.
- Made intentional creative and practical contributions.
- Connected research and theory to practice.
- Reflected critically on discoveries and challenges.
- Developed as an individual theatre-maker.
Without documentation, much of your process remains invisible to examiners.
How to Document Your Process
1. Keep a Rehearsal Journal
Write after each session. Include:
- What tasks you worked on.
- Creative experiments the ensemble tried.
- What worked well and what didn’t.
- How you felt about your role and contributions.
2. Use Visual Documentation
Go beyond text by including:
- Diagrams of blocking or stage layouts.
- Costume or set sketches.
- Photos of rehearsal experiments (if allowed).
- Mind maps of brainstorming sessions.
3. Reflect Critically, Not Just Descriptively
Instead of writing, “We rehearsed a movement sequence,” reflect critically:
- Why did we choose this movement?
- What practitioner or tradition inspired it?
- How did the ensemble respond?
- What could we improve?
4. Connect Research to Practice
Show how your research shaped the project. For example:
- Brecht inspired your use of placards and projections.
- Yoruba drumming influenced ensemble rhythm.
- Artaud’s theories guided sensory staging choices.
5. Document Individual and Ensemble Perspectives
Reflect on your personal contributions while also analyzing how the ensemble worked together.
6. Review and Organize Regularly
Don’t leave documentation to the end. Organize entries by rehearsal date or project stage to track progression.
Tips for Success
- Write immediately after rehearsals. Fresh reflections are more authentic.
- Be honest. Document challenges as well as successes.
- Use mixed media. Combine words, sketches, and visuals.
- Stay consistent. Aim for at least one entry per rehearsal.
- Link to criteria. Ask how each reflection shows inquiry, development, presentation, or evaluation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting until the end to write reflections.
- Only describing what happened without analyzing meaning.
- Ignoring personal contributions and focusing only on the group.
- Neglecting to include visuals or practical evidence.
- Forgetting to connect reflections to theory or research.
RevisionDojo Call to Action
Documentation is your opportunity to prove the depth of your creative journey. At RevisionDojo, we provide templates, reflection prompts, and feedback to help students build strong documentation for the Collaborative Project. With our expert guidance, you’ll create a portfolio that highlights your process and maximizes your marks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I need to document every rehearsal in detail?
Not every moment, but consistency matters. Capture key experiments, contributions, and reflections from each session.
2. Can I use photos and sketches in my documentation?
Yes. Visual evidence strengthens your portfolio by showing process as well as describing it.
3. How do I make my reflections analytical instead of descriptive?
Ask why and so what. Move from “what happened” to “why it mattered” and “how it influenced my theatre-making.”
Conclusion
Documenting your process is essential to success in the IB Theatre Collaborative Project. By keeping consistent journals, using visuals, analyzing critically, and connecting research to practice, you’ll create a portfolio that demonstrates depth and intentionality. With RevisionDojo’s expert support, you’ll learn how to document effectively and maximize your marks in IB Theatre.
