The Research Investigation So we all know what it's called and we all know we have to do it-but what in the

world IS it??! Well my darlings here is the explanation of what it is....don't worry it's not as scary as it sounds. Please be aware that anything quoted or in italics is from the IBO and anything else is my opinion (apart from the "key things" which is just their main pionts summerized and into normal english) Disclaimer:I give full credit and copyrights to the IBO and will immediatly take it down if I am notified that I am infringing upon copyrights. ---------------------------------------------------------------The IB says: "The research investigation is an excercise for exernal assessment, which invites the student to carry out dramaturgical research into an unfamiliar theatre practice." It is basically an investigation into an unfamiliar theatre practice applied to a certain play/piece of theatre. Here are exmples they have given of Theatre practices: Theatre Practices This may be:

A theatrical tradition from a particular culture and/or time, for example, Kathakali A theatrical style originating from a particular time, movement, culture, pratitioner, for example Restoration Comdy A theatrical movement originating from a particular time, culture, pratitioner, for example, Butoh A theatrical form developed by a practitioner, thearist, playwright, for example Brecht's Epic Theatre. There are several main Theatrical styles you could pick from: Naturalism: Portraying life on stage with a close attention to detail, based on observation of real life.

Realism: Portraying characters on stage that are close to real life, with realistic settings and staging. Expressionism: Anti-realistic in seeing appearance as distorted and the truth lying within man. The outward appearance on stage can be distorted and unrealistic to portray an eternal truth. Absurdism: Presents a perspective that all human attempts at significance are illogical. Ultimate truth is chaos with little certainty. There is no necessity that need drive us. Modernism: A broad concept that sees art, including theatre, as detached from life in a pure way and able to reflect on life critically. Postmodernism: There are multiple meanings, and meaning is what you create, not what is. This approach often uses other media and breaks accepted conventions and practices. Here is a list of more traditions, movements and styles, it was a list off wikipedia that I edited so that it applied to us:

Avant-garde theatre Black light theatre Box house Burlesque Caf-thtre Cantastoria Chamber theatre Chavittunatakam City comedy Comedia Contextual Theatre Corporeal mime Dinner theatre Documentary theatre Entrems Forum Theatre (Augusto Boal) Guerrilla theatre Illusionistic tradition Improvisational theatre In-yer-face theatre Interactive theatre Intercultural theatre Invisible theatre

Kitchen sink realism Legitimate theatre Little Theatre Movement Madrigal dinner Masque Medieval theatre Melodrama Mime Monopolylogue Morality play Mummers Play Music hall Pantomime Participatory theatre Political theatre Postdramatic theatre Postmodern theater Randai Reader's theatre Realism (dramatic arts) Revenge play Shadow play Sideshow Ta'zieh Tableau vivant Teatro di narrazione Theatre of Cruelty Theatre of the Absurd Theatre of the Oppressed Toy Theatre Variety show Vaudeville Well-made play

Key Points

It must be... 2,000-2,500 words for HL or 1,500-1,750 words for SL Formal In essay format Relevant, focused and specific An unknown Theatre Practise The play must be apropriate to the practise

There must be a detailed Biliography (this is uber important so more on that later) The title must be in the form of a reasearch question HL must write critique on their Bibliography

Things you need to know...

You can only hand in one draft to the teacher. Please note that this is a Reasearch Investigation not a Production Proposal. You are playing the role of a dramaturg not a director. 'But what is a dramaturg?!' I hear you cry, well I didn't know either until I read this: A dramaturg is an informer and researcher, they give the background and information about the theatre practice. The IB says: "The dramaturg's job is to focus on the theatre practice and not the play, not on how the director/actor/designer may chose to use this research. The student may not make creative decisions but they may offer cerative possibilities if this is relevant. For exaple, An actor is playing the role of the Monkey King in a Kathakali production of a story from the Ramayana. The dramaturg provides information to the actor on how this role is performed in this particular theatre practice."

You must be aware of the differences and similarities in time periods and cultures and take into consideration its political, social, aesthetic, and intellectual context when researching the theatrical practice.

For example: When Commedia was first performed in the 16th centuary, it was in markets and was highly political as most of their stock characters represented neighbouring countries. Today, Commedia is still present but in the form of slaptick comedy performed in theatres. The political aspect of commedia has almost completely disintegrated and since it is being performed in theatres there is a sense of formality that comes with the

audience that did not exist in the original Commedia. Although still lighthearted, the Commedia of today does not normally tackle politial issues.

Bibliography and Critique

From what I've read, the critique seems to be a major part of it for HL. It is important because "it enables the student to develop a researchers instinct for the type of sources that can or cannot be useful for their work. The critique can be organized by identifying the source, sumarizing the contents, how it was used, why it was(n't) useful and how useful it was." "The critique of sources (for HL) should not be part of the word count and the sources critiqued should be relevant to the specifics of the research. The critique should be a separate section at the end of the essay and should state the relevance and usefulness of the sources used and reffered to. The sources should be relevant to the practise, play and anything related to the reseach question." The bibliography shows that you can can source consistenty and neatly and is a very important bit of being a dramaturg. It will also show the depth and extent of your research, and the ability to select and edit sources that are relevant. The IB want your citations to be in a consistent format stating the: Author(s), title, date and place of publication and name of the publisher. Scary? Fear not! Put it in MLA format (a widely recognized format). There is a website that is called http://www.easybib.com/ , you simply select your source and enter all the details in. I think it's the quickest and easiest way to do your bibliography and its easy to keep consistent so I reeeeally advise using it.

The IB's 'How to start'...

"1.) Choose an unfamiliar theatre practice (see top of page for examples and what it is) 2.) Choose a play/peice of theatre that is either from or appropriate to the chosen theare practice. 3.) Read and examine your chosen play. Which aspects are most apropraite for further examination and exploration? 4.) Formulate a research question. A question requires an answer. The point of a question is to narrow down and concentrate the research. At this point the student might also think about which member of the

production team (director/performer/designer/ choreographer/etc.) might find the information most useful. It is best to have a main research question then a few subquestions as an outline for you to follow."

The IB gives a process in which there are two phases that the student should be following. Phase 1 1.) Examine the question in relation to the play and begin to look at what information is required to answer it 2.) Consult various primary and secondary sources focusing on the aspects of the question that need answering 3.) Organize your research 4.) Write the first draft Phase 2 1.) Redraft 2.) Compile all the materials-visual and/or textual- that will accompany the research investigation 3.) Check the word count 4.) Check all sources have been attributed and that a bibliography is attatched (at HL with al sources critiqued) 5.) Submit the research investigation.