The ‘IPP’ (Independent Project Portfolio) is an important component of an IB theatre student’s assessment; in a sense, it is a culminating project that draws on the skills and experience that have been cultivated over a two year course. It requires that students divide themselves into groups, take up different production-related assignments – directing, acting, and so on – and work autonomously from start to finish. They are to record every step of this endeavor, constantly deliberating and reflecting on the decisions they make, and ultimately submitting a detailed documentation of the process- based on which they are evaluated.
Recently, the current batch of DP2 Theatre students finished work on their individual productions and performed them for the public: A total of four plays were put up in succession over a period of a couple of weeks, and each and every performance was orchestrated by the students themselves. Apart from working on the actually plays, they also handled constructing the sets, managing the lighting and sound effects, and even organizing the events and invitations.
The different plays that the students performed were:
“4.48 Psychosis” – Directed by Sripal Shah
A rendition of British playwright Sarah Kane’s last work, the play centers around its protagonist’s struggle with extreme clinical depression and contemplations of suicide.It is an intense and controversial but equally poignant script that deals with the human psyche in its most fragile state.
“Nagamandala” – Directed by Sharmeen Attarwala
Written by Girish Karnad and based on the folk tales of northern Karnataka, the play is the tale of a young neglected bride, who in an occult attempt to win her husband’s affections, entices the King Cobra instead.
“Life, Smiles and Tears” – Directed by Kanisha Modi
A student production all the way through- script included. The play is an abstract combination of mime, dance and monologue that deals with themes of prejudice and terrorism, and the recent Mumbai attacks in particular.
“First breath after Coma” – Directed by Zara Desai
Another completely student-conceived script, and an experimental theatre concept. ‘First breath after Coma” is a play that consists entirely of recordings and footage, and has no designated stage or actors. It is a deliberation on conformity that takes the form of a conversation between a recently awakened coma patient, and a mysterious, anonymous voice.