1. FAQ - Miderm Exams - Research Presentation
What?
A presentation lasting 7 to 10 mins.
1. On what?
On anyunique performance conventionof the AncientGreekTragedyorComedythatisrequiredbythe
actor.
2. What?!
A performance conventionisasignificant andidentifiableelementof performance thatisusuallyculturally
recognized,acceptedandidentifiedasa keyfeature of the theatre tradition. InAncientGreekTheatre is
mainlyMask(the use of full face masks),Voice (Strong,inRhyme, not everyday voice),Gestureof the
Performerorthe Chorus (Big,Ritualistic,expressive,largerthaneverydaymovements). Performance
conventionshave aparticularfunctionwithinatraditionandare a keyfeature of communicationtothe
audience.
3. What wouldbe the contextof this presentation?
You shoulddedicate 4to 6 minstalkingabout the Theatre Tradition(AncientGreekTheatre)youchose and
its cultural and theoretical context and then spend the next 2 to 3 mins. Then you have to physically
demonstrate yourown practical and physical explorations of the performance convention you chose and
itsapplicationtoa momentof 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 letthe wordsmisleadyou.WhatisAncientGreekTheatre anditscharacteristics,whytheywere
usingmasks,whythey hadto do biggestures,whythe voice hadto be strong,whatthe chorus or the
performerwere doing, howitwasconnectedtodemocracyetc.
5. Physicallydemonstrate?
Yes,here is the catch you shouldPERFORM the aspectyouchosen. It isadvisable topresentyourmoment
of theatre witha"stop and start" approach within the main presentation, in order to explain and analyse
the relevantpointsregardingthe use of Mask,Voice,Gesture inAncientGreekTheatre and,itscultural 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) toa "work-in-progress" demonstration of an appropriate moment of theatre that demonstrates
and explainsthe performance convention youhave practicallyandphysicallyexplored.Forexample 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
loudany small passage froma playthat youlike orsaw (choose anythingfromPersesthatwe saw together
if nothing comes to your mind). Pick something small, no more that 3 or 5 lines
or

2. choose to use a momentfroma story youhave writtenyourselveswhich you think best demonstrates and
explains the use of Mask or Gesture or Voice in Ancient Greek Theatre.
Rememberyour Momentof Theatre will be presentedasa "work in progress" which will not be expected
to be a polished performance.
7. Reflecton the impact?
The impactthat yourexplorationof yourMomentof Theatre had on yourlearningand your development
as a performer. To putit insimple words….When you wear your mask or you performed your chosen lines
with Maskon or withbig, ritualistic Gestures or in rhyme in a loud Voice in an open space… How that make
you feel, whatwastheimpact to someonewho 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 whatto say and leave onlythe informationthatisimportantforthe conventionyou
chose to workwith(Mask, Gesture,Voice).
9. But I can not find or construct a mask or costume and this essential formy presentation!
You do nothave to… the IBOTh.Arts Guide states:‘Where there are keyproductionelementsof the
traditionthatare intrinsictothe performance conventionbeingexplored(such asbasiccostume,props,set
piecesorstage layout) andthat are deemedessential tothe demonstration,itisrecommendedthatthese
productionelementsare createdorsourcedas "mock-ups"(forexample,simple piece of fabrictosuggest
costume,cardboardrepresentationsof props,markedoutspace toshow scale and layoutof the stage
space) to preventstudentsfromspendingtime andresourcesonelementsthatare notassessed.’So,aswe
said a paperbag with 3 holesfor eyesand mouth to use asa Mask or an old blanket to use as a Costume.
10. Can I have my notes while I am presenting?
Yes,you mayreferto notes,slidesorotherpromptsduringthe presentation,buttoensure the
presentationengagesyouraudience youshouldavoidsimplyreadingfromapre-preparedscript.
11. Can someone helpme?
No DURING the presentationbuyISTRONGLYADVISEYOU to pair up witha classmate andREHEARSE a few
day BEFORE yourexams.Tell him/hertoask questionsandchallenge youtobe clearerinthe expression of
your understanding of the world theatre tradition and your experience of the process of practical
exploration.Thismayinvolvequestionand answer sessions, support with choosing a moment of theatre,
gainingfeedbackonthe presentationandother 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
recordedin the theatre journal andaddressedin the presentation where the studentmustreflect on how
thissupporthas impactedon their explorations and learning. In other words note down what they say to
you as a feedback.
12. Supplementary materials?
Firstof all youcan 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).

3. 13. Other resources?
Where resourcesare usedto enhance the presentation,copiesof these resourcesshouldbe submitted
alongwiththe listof sources(especiallyif theseresourceswerenotclearlyseenorunderstoodwithinthe
videorecording).Thiscouldinclude PDFcopiesof presentationslides,projectionimages,handoutsand
photographsthatmay have beenseenduringthe presentation.
14. References?
“Anyillustrations,charts,mindmaps,visuals,diagramsordesignsusedwithinthe presentationmustbe
clearlyannotatedandappropriatelyreferencedtoacknowledgethe source,followingthe referencingstyle
chosenbythe school.Whenstudentsinclude anyof theirownphotographsorimagesinthe presentation,
these mustalsobe identifiedandacknowledgedinthe same way.” Fromthe IBO Th.ArtsGuide.Please do
reference andquote anybook,image,site etcyouuse. Because: a) noone can accuse you of plagiarism
and b) you showto the examinerhowhardyouresearched!.
15. Structure of the presentation?
Ok,the IBOguide suggestthe followingstructure anditisa wise ideatouse too:
1. The world theatre tradition and its context (General Info for Ancient Greek Theatre) 2-3 mins
2. Performance conventions and the process of their physical and practical explorations (chose
either Mask, Voice or Gesture) 2-3 mins
3. Demonstration and explanation of the convention applied to a moment of theatre (perform!) 3-4
mins
4. The impact of this study on me as a learner?(whatdid Ilearn) 1-2 mins
I PANICKING THIS IS TOO MUCH, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND!!!!!!
Well..firstof all relax...
Step1. Go forthe easyoption andchose Mask
Step2. Readfromthe sourcesI have givenyouaboutAncientGreekTheatre (Chose comedyorTragedy)
and keepnotesonWHAT itis AncientGreekTheatre andHOW & WHY they use MASK,
Step3. Findan extractforman AncientGreekComedy/Tragedyorchose something youwrote yourself,
(make itshort pls,Ido not know5 line?)
Step4. Findor construct a mask (paperbag,3 holes) andpresentthe extracttoa classmate of yours (thisis
your Momentof Theatre)
Step5. Discuss andkeepnotesandpics(vid?) onhow youfeltandthe impact ithad to youand the
audience,
Step6. Write yournotesfollowingthe structure Igave youabout the presentation,
Step7. Present the presentationtoyourclassmate includingthe Momentof Theatre yourehearse
previously
Step8. Re-write yournotestakingonboardwhatyour classmate gave youas feedback(wasitclear,
understandableorwasit overor undertime?)
Step9. Rehearse yourpresentationalone foronce more
Step10. Take the exams!!!
Good Luck!