← Theatre Studies syllabus

SingaporeTheatre Studies

Elements of Performance

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How does an actor turn textual analysis into a living, watchable character, combining inner life with concrete vocal and physical choices?

Explain how an actor builds a character for performance, integrating analysis, objectives, vocal and physical choices and rehearsal discovery into a coherent whole
A focused answer to the H2 Theatre Studies outcome on building a character. Moving from textual analysis to performance, combining the inside-out and outside-in approaches, fixing objectives, vocal and physical choices, consistency and arc, and the role of rehearsal discovery.
9 min answer →

How does an ensemble act as one body, and how do status transactions between characters shape what an audience reads in a scene?

Explain ensemble playing and the concept of status, including status transactions and shifts, and apply them to performing relationships on stage
A focused answer to the H2 Theatre Studies outcome on ensemble and status. Ensemble playing and listening, Keith Johnstone's idea of status, high and low status behaviour, status transactions and shifts, and how actors use status to perform relationship and power on stage.
9 min answer →

What does it mean to make theatre with the body first, and how do Lecoq's ideas of neutral mask, mime and ensemble shape physical theatre?

Explain Jacques Lecoq's approach to physical theatre, including the neutral mask, mime, play and the body-led ensemble, and apply it to creating and performing work
A focused answer to the H2 Theatre Studies outcome on Lecoq and physical theatre. The neutral mask, mime and movement, play and complicite, the body-led ensemble, the via of the moving body, and how Lecoq's pedagogy shapes the devising and performing of physical work.
9 min answer →

How does an actor build a character and tell a story through the body, using posture, gesture, gait, gaze and the use of space?

Explain how an actor uses physical skills, including posture, gesture, gait, facial expression, gaze and the use of stage space, and apply them to performance
A focused answer to the H2 Theatre Studies outcome on physical skills. Posture, gesture, gait, facial expression and gaze, the use of stage space and proxemics, stillness and energy, and how an actor builds character and conveys meaning through the body.
9 min answer →

How does an actor use the voice as a deliberate instrument, and how do pitch, pace, pause, volume and tone shape what an audience understands and feels?

Explain how an actor uses vocal skills, including pitch, pace, pause, volume, tone, projection and articulation, and apply them to interpret a moment of text
A focused answer to the H2 Theatre Studies outcome on vocal skills. Pitch, pace, pause, volume, tone, projection, articulation and accent as expressive choices, how the voice conveys meaning and emotion, and how to apply vocal technique to interpret a line of text.
9 min answer →

What makes live theatre different from film, and how does the relationship a production builds with its audience shape the whole experience?

Explain the performer-audience relationship, including the fourth wall, direct address, liveness and immersion, and how a production positions and affects its audience
A focused answer to the H2 Theatre Studies outcome on the performer-audience relationship. Liveness and the shared event, the fourth wall and direct address, breaking the fourth wall, immersive and participatory positioning, and how a production decides what role the audience plays.
9 min answer →