Introduction
In the IB Theatre Solo Theatre Piece (HL only), your performance is important, but so is your ability to reflect critically on the process. Examiners want to see how you researched your chosen theorist, applied their principles, and learned through experimentation. Critical reflection separates strong projects from excellent ones—it shows you can analyze choices, evaluate outcomes, and grow as a theatre-maker.
This guide explains how to reflect critically in your Solo Theatre Piece so you can demonstrate depth, intentionality, and personal development.
Quick Start Checklist
- Write reflections regularly during rehearsal.
- Balance description with analysis and evaluation.
- Connect discoveries to your chosen theorist’s principles.
- Reflect on challenges as well as successes.
- Show how the process developed your theatre-making skills.
Why Critical Reflection Matters
The Solo Theatre Piece counts for 35% of the HL grade, and reflection proves that you:
- Engaged deeply with your theorist’s ideas.
- Understood the challenges of applying theory in practice.
- Grew as a performer and thinker through the process.
- Connected research, experimentation, and performance.
Without critical reflection, your work risks appearing superficial.
How to Reflect Critically
1. Go Beyond Description
Instead of writing:
- “I used Brecht’s placards in my performance.”
Reflect critically: - “Using Brecht’s placards emphasized social commentary but risked distracting from character focus. This challenged me to balance message with performance clarity.”
2. Ask “Why” and “So What”
After each rehearsal, ask:
- Why did I make this choice?
- How did it apply the theorist’s principle?
- So what did I discover about meaning, audience, or myself?
3. Reflect on Challenges
Don’t avoid mistakes—examiners value honesty. For example:
- Struggling with Grotowski’s physical intensity can show perseverance and growth.
4. Link to Audience Impact
Consider how your application of theory affects the audience. Did they engage as expected, or did their response surprise you?
5. Evaluate Personal Growth
Show how the Solo Piece shaped you as a theatre-maker. Did you become more confident, disciplined, or experimental?
Tips for Success
- Reflect consistently. Write after every rehearsal while memories are fresh.
- Stay specific. Use concrete examples from rehearsal and performance.
- Balance strengths and weaknesses. Both contribute to critical depth.
- Use evidence. Include sketches, notes, or rehearsal photos where allowed.
- Connect to theory. Always link discoveries back to your chosen theorist.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Writing only descriptive rehearsal logs.
- Avoiding challenges or failures in reflection.
- Forgetting to connect reflections to theory.
- Using vague statements like “It worked well.”
- Leaving reflection until the end of the process.
RevisionDojo Call to Action
Critical reflection transforms your Solo Theatre Piece from a performance into a learning journey. At RevisionDojo, we provide reflection prompts, portfolio strategies, and personalized feedback to help students analyze deeply. With our expert guidance, you’ll reflect critically and show examiners the growth that leads to top marks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much reflection should I include in my portfolio?
Quality matters more than quantity. Regular, thoughtful entries that analyze and evaluate your process are more valuable than long descriptions.
2. Should I reflect only on theory, or also on performance?
Both. Reflect on how you applied theory and how it shaped your choices, challenges, and audience impact.
3. How can I make sure my reflections are critical, not descriptive?
Use the formula: What did I do? Why did I do it? How did it apply theory? What did I learn?
Conclusion
Reflecting critically in your IB Theatre Solo Piece is about analyzing discoveries, not just describing rehearsals. By connecting research to practice, evaluating challenges, and showing personal growth, you’ll prove to examiners that your work is thoughtful and intentional. With RevisionDojo’s expert support, you’ll reflect critically and confidently, turning your Solo Piece into examiner-ready work.
