1.2. What Is Theatre?

Theatre is a performing art where stories are presented to an audience through live performance. It combines acting, movement, voice, visual design, and often music to create a compelling experience.

Theatre is defined as a performing art, which means that it involves live performance—actors performing stories for an audience to witness in real time. This art form combines several elements: acting, which is the portrayal of characters; movement, which refers to how actors move on stage; and voice, which includes dialogue and expression. Visual design encompasses the physical aspects of the stage, like scenery, costumes, and lighting. Music can also play a crucial role, enhancing emotions or setting the mood for the performance.

Think of theatre like a movie, but instead of being recorded, it happens right in front of you. You can feel the energy of the audience and the actors. It’s like attending a concert where every song tells a story, and the performers interact with the crowd; that’s the magic of live theatre.

Key Characteristics of Theatre: • Live performance in front of an audience • Scripted or improvised storytelling • Use of stagecraft, such as lighting, costumes, sound, and set design • Collaboration among actors, directors, writers, designers, and crew

Theatre has several key characteristics. Firstly, it’s performed live, which means the audience witnesses the action as it happens, making each performance unique. The storytelling can be scripted, using written plays, or improvised, allowing actors to create dialogue and scenes on the spot. Stagecraft refers to all the behind-the-scenes work that enhances the performance, including lighting, which affects how scenes are perceived, costumes that define characters, sound to add depth, and set design that creates the environment where the story takes place. Lastly, theatre is a collaborative effort, as it requires input and creativity from many people—actors, directors, writers, designers, and crew members—all working together to bring a story to life.

Imagine a team of chefs in a kitchen preparing a meal for guests. Each chef has a specific role—some chop vegetables, others cook, while some handle desserts. Just like the kitchen team, theatre relies on collaboration where each person contributes their talent to create a finished product—the performance—that audiences enjoy.

The MYP Theatre curriculum is structured around four key objectives:

1. Investigating o Explore theatre traditions, styles, and techniques from various cultures and eras.
2. Developing o Learn and apply theatrical skills such as acting, directing, stage design, and scriptwriting.
3. Creating o Devise and perform original or adapted dramatic works.
4. Responding o Reflect on artistic choices, analyse performances, and critique both personal and peer work.

In the MYP Theatre curriculum, students are encouraged to engage with four main objectives. The first is 'Investigating,' where they learn by exploring various theatre traditions, styles, and techniques from around the world and throughout history. The second objective, 'Developing,' focuses on acquiring practical skills such as acting, directing, design, and writing. The third objective, 'Creating,' involves students coming up with their own original works or adapting existing stories for performance. Finally, 'Responding' encourages students to think critically about their artistic choices and performances, analyzing what works and what can be improved, both in their own work and in the performances of others.

Think of learning theatre like training for a sports team. You first study the history of the sport (Investigating), then you practice your skills during training (Developing), you play a game (Creating), and afterward, you review the game footage to analyze your performance and improve for next time (Responding).

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