'The Mad Ones' – An IB Theatre Solo Project Journey (& some advice)

Summary

In this video, Sasha takes viewers through her journey of creating a high school IB Theater solo performance. She discusses her chosen theater theorist, Kantor, and how she applied concepts like the 'theater of death' and the use of puppets. Sasha shares her creative process, from scriptwriting to set design, including the challenges of integrating projections and sound. She reflects on the importance of logistics, character development, and technical elements. Throughout, Sasha emphasizes how experimentation, feedback, and personal connection made the performance deeply meaningful for her.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sasha reflects on the challenges and personal growth she experienced while completing the IB Diploma and theater solo performance project.
• 🎭 The solo performance project required students to write a 2,000-3,000 word essay and incorporate a theater theorist's approach into their work.
• 📚 Sasha chose theater practitioner Tadeusz Kantor, known for his 'Theater of Death' and focus on memory, time, and puppetry, to inspire her performance.
• 💡 Sasha's creative process involved experimenting with visuals, sounds, and projections to enhance the sensory experience for the audience.
• 🎥 She faced technical challenges while incorporating projections into her performance, especially in making food 'magically' appear during a tea party scene.
• 📝 Writing the script was a challenging task, and Sasha emphasized the importance of careful planning and structure, using the Freytag Pyramid for story development.
• 🎨 Sasha spent time decorating her performance space with mannequins, props, and costumes to create a visually dynamic experience, inspired by various artistic influences.
• 🤡 The Mad Hatter character was central to Sasha's performance, and she used elements from other stories and her personal life to deepen her portrayal.
• 🎶 Music played a key role in Sasha's performance, helping her connect emotionally to the story and enhance her stage presence.
• 🚀 Sasha highlighted the importance of planning, logistics, and rehearsal preparation, stressing that even the smallest details—like the cue sheet—were critical for a successful tech-heavy show.

Q & A

Why did Sasha choose to pursue the IB Diploma Program, and what impact did it have on them?

Sasha chose to pursue the IB Diploma Program because they believed it would make them smarter and better prepared for the future, even though it was a challenging path. The program provided both intellectual and personal growth, despite the tough workload.

What is the importance of selecting a theater practitioner for the IB Theater project?

Selecting a theater practitioner is crucial because it serves as the foundation for the entire performance. Sasha chose Tadeusz Kantor, whose 'Theater of Death' and innovative approaches to memory, death, and reality deeply influenced their piece. The practitioner's philosophy guides the creative decisions throughout the project.

How did Sasha approach the selection of their project concept?

Initially, Sasha struggled with selecting a concept, considering various personal stories and abstract themes. Ultimately, they decided to center the performance around the 'Mad Tea Party' from *Alice in Wonderland*, reimagining it as a descent into madness, which provided a foundation for both narrative and visual experimentation.

What challenges did Sasha face while creating the script for the performance?

One of the biggest challenges was determining the right ending for the performance. Sasha experimented with different ideas but ultimately decided on an open-ended conclusion with no dialogue. This allowed them to use music and visuals to convey the climax and provide room for interpretation.

Why did Sasha incorporate projections into their performance, and how did it contribute to the piece?

Sasha chose to integrate projections to enhance the magical, surreal atmosphere of the performance, especially during the tea party scene where food magically appears on the table. Despite not aligning perfectly with their chosen practitioner’s focus, the projections added depth and visual complexity to the piece.

What role did the space and environment play in Sasha’s creative process?

The space was a critical element in Sasha’s creative process. They took time to familiarize themselves with the theater, measuring the space and understanding its logistics, such as lighting and projection capabilities. This helped with blocking and set design, ensuring that the performance was both creative and feasible within the given environment.

How did Sasha approach the development of characters in their performance?

Sasha focused on making the Mad Hatter stand out, despite being a secondary character in *Alice in Wonderland*. They drew inspiration from various sources and their own life experiences to add depth and complexity to the character, using both voice and visual elements to bring him to life.

What technical challenges did Sasha encounter during the production, and how did they overcome them?

Sasha faced several technical challenges, particularly with the projection app, QLab. The app allowed them to synchronize videos, music, and projections, but it was complicated to master. Despite initial frustrations, they learned to navigate it effectively, ensuring that all technical elements were well-timed and supported the performance.

How did Sasha involve others in the performance, despite it being a solo project?

Even though the project was a solo performance, Sasha involved friends by asking them to provide voice recordings for the mannequins in the performance. This collaboration added a unique touch, and it was an enjoyable experience for Sasha to direct non-theater people in this creative process.

What advice does Sasha offer to future theater students embarking on their own solo performances?

Sasha advises future theater students to stick to their chosen practitioner’s philosophy, even while experimenting with different technical elements. Ambition is important, but it’s essential to remain true to the core ideas of the practitioner and ensure the performance reflects that, as it will be central to their essay and overall assessment.