Introduction
The IB Theatre Solo Theatre Piece (HL only) challenges you to research a theatre theorist and apply their principles in a 6–8 minute performance. One of the most important aspects of this assessment is your ability to use practitioner conventions effectively. Conventions are the practical tools—movement, staging, voice, or audience interaction—that embody a theorist’s ideas in performance. Using them well will make your piece both creative and examiner-ready.
This guide explains how to use practitioner conventions effectively in the IB Theatre Solo Theatre Piece.
Quick Start Checklist
- Choose 2–3 core conventions from your theorist.
- Adapt them creatively for solo performance.
- Test multiple applications in rehearsal.
- Reflect critically on what worked and what didn’t.
- Ensure conventions communicate meaning to the audience.
Why Conventions Matter
The Solo Piece counts for 35% of the HL grade, and conventions show examiners that you:
- Applied your chosen theorist’s principles practically.
- Transformed theory into performance techniques.
- Developed intentional creative choices.
- Reflected critically on the effectiveness of those techniques.
Without conventions, your performance risks being too abstract or disconnected from theory.
Examples of Practitioner Conventions
Stanislavski
- Objectives and given circumstances.
- Emotional truth through subtext.
- Naturalistic staging.
Brecht
- Breaking the fourth wall.
- Use of placards or projections.
- Episodic structure and narration.
Artaud
- Sensory soundscapes.
- Symbolic gestures and movement.
- Harsh lighting or dissonant sound.
Grotowski
- Physical scores and rigorous movement.
- Minimal props and staging.
- Intense actor–audience connection.
Boal
- Direct audience involvement.
- Theatre as social action.
- Forum theatre-style interventions.
How to Use Conventions Effectively
1. Select Conventions Strategically
Don’t try to include everything. Focus on conventions that best serve your performance goals and fit the solo format.
2. Experiment in Rehearsal
Test different ways of applying each convention. For example:
- Deliver a scene once with Brechtian narration and once with placards.
- Compare Artaud’s sensory effects with minimalist staging.
3. Connect Conventions to Meaning
Ask: What does this choice communicate to the audience? Every convention should serve both theory and performance intention.
4. Adapt for Solo Context
Some conventions are designed for ensembles (e.g., Grotowski’s group training). Adapt them creatively for solo use while keeping the principle intact.
5. Reflect Critically
Document how conventions worked in practice, what challenges they posed, and how they shaped your performance.
Tips for Success
- Be intentional. Use fewer conventions in depth rather than many superficially.
- Stay authentic. Don’t force conventions—choose ones that support your theme.
- Use feedback. Ask peers or teachers whether conventions were clear.
- Balance innovation and accuracy. Adapt creatively while staying true to theory.
- Document evidence. Sketches, rehearsal notes, and reflections strengthen your report.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Copying conventions mechanically without reflection.
- Using too many conventions, leading to confusion.
- Ignoring the audience’s role in interpreting conventions.
- Treating conventions as decorative instead of meaningful.
- Forgetting to explain conventions in your written report.
RevisionDojo Call to Action
Practitioner conventions are the bridge between theory and performance in the Solo Theatre Piece. At RevisionDojo, we guide students in selecting, experimenting, and reflecting on conventions to produce examiner-ready work. With our expert support, you’ll use conventions effectively and showcase your growth as a theatre-maker.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many conventions should I use in my Solo Piece?
Focus on 2–3 key conventions. It’s better to apply a few effectively than to overload your performance.
2. Can I adapt conventions to fit my own creative style?
Yes. Adaptation is encouraged as long as you justify how your choices remain connected to the theorist’s principles.
3. Do I need to explain conventions during my performance?
No. The performance embodies them. Explanation comes in your report and reflections.
Conclusion
Using practitioner conventions effectively is essential for success in the IB Theatre Solo Theatre Piece. By selecting conventions strategically, applying them creatively, and reflecting critically, you’ll create a performance that embodies theory while engaging your audience. With RevisionDojo’s expert guidance, you’ll master conventions and set yourself on track for top marks in IB Theatre.
