Theatre · Production Proposal (IA)
IB Theatre IA Grader
Upload your Production Proposal (IA) and get criterion-by-criterion feedback against the IB assessment criteria in the official IB Theatre internal assessment (production proposal) criteria (first assessment 2024). Whether you are at Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL), iBacalao shows where your draft meets the mark scheme and what to improve before formative submission. Free to start in the Mac app; sign-in is required to keep reviews and usage limits tied to your account.
IB assessment criteria — 20 marks total
Your Production Proposal (IA) is graded against 3 criteria in the official mark scheme. iBacalao scores each one and tells you exactly where to gain marks.
Ideas and Intentions
An explanation of the ideas addressed by the chosen play text — with reference to the text — and an explanation of your intentions for the staging of the entire play.
The Proposed Design
Your visual production design ideas presented with an explanation of how production elements (set, costume, lighting, sound…) will be used to achieve your intentions in the staging of the entire play.
The Proposed Staging of One Moment of the Play
An explanation of how you would use performance elements AND production elements to effectively create tension, emotion, atmosphere and/or meaning ("TEAM") in one specific moment you have chosen to stage.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most frequent reasons students drop marks on each criterion.
Ideas and Intentions
- Ideas listed ("power, family, honour") without reference to the play text
- Plot summary standing in for the ideas of the play
- Staging intentions for one scene only, not the entire play
- Intentions stated but never explained (the why is missing)
The Proposed Design
- Design images presented without explaining how they serve the intentions
- Production elements listed rather than connected to the staging
- Design ideas that contradict the stated intentions
- Only one production element considered
The Proposed Staging of One Moment of the Play
- Moment described in general terms with no concrete staging choices
- Performance elements covered but production elements ignored (or vice versa)
- TEAM named but not connected to specific choices
- The chosen moment doesn't carry the play's central ideas
Common questions
How is the IB Theatre Production Proposal (IA) marked?
Your Production Proposal (IA) is marked against 3 criteria totalling 20 marks using the official IB Theatre internal assessment (production proposal) criteria (first assessment 2024): Ideas and Intentions (/8), The Proposed Design (/4), The Proposed Staging of One Moment of the Play (/8). Each criterion has its own mark bands, and your teacher's marks are moderated by the IBO.
What are the most common mistakes in the IB Theatre Production Proposal (IA)?
The two criteria worth the most marks are where students lose the most. On Ideas and Intentions: Ideas listed ("power, family, honour") without reference to the play text; Plot summary standing in for the ideas of the play. On The Proposed Staging of One Moment of the Play: Moment described in general terms with no concrete staging choices; Performance elements covered but production elements ignored (or vice versa). The full list for every criterion is above.
Which criterion is worth the most marks in the IB Theatre Production Proposal (IA)?
The highest-weighted criterion is "Ideas and Intentions" and is worth 8 marks. The top mark band for this criterion is the most detailed, so missing any element it mentions is the fastest way to lose marks.
What is the word limit for the Theatre Production Proposal (IA)?
Word and page limits for the Production Proposal (IA) are set in the official IB Theatre internal assessment (production proposal) criteria (first assessment 2024) rather than being the same across subjects, so check your subject guide for the exact figure. Going over the limit risks examiners stopping at the limit and not marking what follows.
Can I use AI to help with my Theatre IA?
The IBO allows AI for research support and feedback, but the submitted work must be entirely your own. iBacalao gives criterion-by-criterion feedback on your draft — the same kind of comment your teacher would give — without generating any text for your IA.