Aims
• To develop dramaturgical research skills (the ability to research and apply this research to a piece of theatre/play)
• To develop understanding of an unfamiliar theatre practice
• To present research appropriately and within a specific word length
• To develop understanding of an unfamiliar theatre practice
• To present research appropriately and within a specific word length
Research Investigation AS described in the guide:
1. Personal dramaturgical research into an unfamiliar theatrical practice for the production of a play or theatre piece... to contribute to a realization of the play/theatre piece from the chosen theatrical practice.
The Register and Format
The register needs to be formal, usually in the third person, though first person accounts can also be used if practical research has been undertaken.
As an essay the Research Investigation should have an introduction (setting out the question and any considerations that need to be taken into account), a middle section where the question is explored and addressed. It should end with a conclusion that summarises the considerations and presents an answer to the question. The essay should be fluid and coherent.
As an essay the Research Investigation should have an introduction (setting out the question and any considerations that need to be taken into account), a middle section where the question is explored and addressed. It should end with a conclusion that summarises the considerations and presents an answer to the question. The essay should be fluid and coherent.
4. The findings of the research investigation should be presented in an essay format with supporting visual and/or textual material. At HL the requirement is 2,000–2,500 words plus visual documentation and/or textual references. At SL the requirement is 1,500–1,750 words plus visual documentation and/or textual references. The linguistic register of the written work should be formal in nature, and the work should be clearly set out as a research investigation (that is, titled, sourced and attributed).
Dramaturgical research
Dramaturgical research is research that will be of service to and inform a production. It doesn’t need to be addressed to any particular artist. Depending on which aspect of the play/piece of theatre is chosen, the research could be useful to all artists working on the production or to only one or two. The focus therefore should be on the aspect of the production being researched NOT on meeting the needs of any particular artist.
2. Students should select a specific aspect of a play or theatre piece from the chosen theatrical practice to research, and then formulate a research question to answer.
The Play/Piece of Theatre
Must be from the theatrical practice the student has chosen.
The Aspect
An aspect indicates that the area of investigation should have a clear focus- but this will depend on the play/piece of the theatre and the practice selected. This aspect has to be such that it leads to research that will inform the action of the piece of theatre/production. An aspect could range from something particular (the use of a fan in a particular scene) to something more general (the use of colour in the whole play).
The Question
The research investigation should be in direct response to the question set. It should be composed in such a way as to help the student focus their research.
The Critique
3. Students at HL are also required to write a critique of the sources used in the research investigation.
This critique should form a separate section at the end of the research investigation. It should clearly demonstrate the student’s understanding of the sources used, their usefulness and their relevance to the investigation. This should be formal and focus on the sources and how they can be used. This should be treated as a guide to the resources used for any practitioner who wishes to research further into this practice or this particular aspect of the play/piece of theatre.