San Francisco IB Workshop - DP Theatre

Category 1 & 2 — Combined

For teachers at any stage of their IB DP Theatre experience who want to develop their practice within a collaborative, mixed-experience setting.

• This workshop brings together new and experienced teachers, with differentiated pathways supporting both foundational understanding and deeper practice.
• You will engage with course structure, assessment criteria, and authentic student work, with opportunities to develop, test, and refine your approach.
• You will leave with practical strategies for effective course design, delivery, and assessment, whatever your starting point.

Note: All participants register for the Combined Category and receive an IB Combined Category 1 & 2 certificate.

Category 3 — Advanced Practice

For theatre educators who want to deepen their expertise in a specific area of DP Theatre practice.

Performing Theatre Theory

• This workshop examines how theatre theorists inform performance, exploring ways to translate theory into embodied practice.
• You will develop strategies to support students in making complex theoretical ideas accessible, engaging, and creatively realised in performance.
• You will leave with practical approaches to supporting students in creating rigorous and meaningful work for the HL Solo Theatre Piece.

Not sure which Category is right for you? Download our Category Selection Guide to help you choose the workshop that best matches your experience and professional development goals.

ISTA works with IB-approved workshop leaders who bring deep expertise in both theatre education and the DP Theatre course. All of our workshop leaders are experienced DP Theatre educators with active backgrounds in theatre-making, curriculum design, and artistic practice.

They are skilled facilitators who understand the realities of teaching the IB DP Theatre course in schools, and are committed to making professional learning practical, relevant, and genuinely inspiring.

Each of our workshops includes a focused, practice-based session led by a professional theatre artist, designed to extend your artistic practice, skills, and perspective as an educator within the IB DP Theatre course. Rooted in areas such as directing, devising, performance, or design, these sessions emphasise transferable approaches, embodied practice, and creative processes that deepen understanding through doing.

Working practically and collaboratively, you will engage in guided exploration, short performance tasks, and reflective discussion. You will leave with practical ideas, adaptable strategies, and new artistic approaches that can be applied directly to your teaching and to the demands of the DP Theatre course.

All IB workshop bookings are made via your ISTA website account. To complete your booking:

1. Provide your participant and school details, including name, contact information, dietary or accessibility needs, and whether you hold an ISTA membership
2. Select your workshop category and share a brief overview of your IB teaching experience
3. Confirm your agreement to ISTA's Terms and Conditions, including media consent and account creation

Once submitted, your booking confirmation will appear in the profile of the person who completed the registration. Please note: if a colleague booked on your behalf, the confirmation may sit under their account.

If you requested an invoice, it has been sent to the email address provided at the time of booking. Your place is reserved, subject to payment in line with our booking terms.

Please note: Registrations close 7 days before the event start date.

IMPORTANT: Participants attending combined workshops must register for Category 1 & 2 (Combined) via the ISTA website. All participants will be certified under this category, and certificates will state Category 1 & 2 (Combined).

Please note the following before completing your booking:

• Once booked and invoiced, registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable in accordance with our event terms and conditions
• Late registrants will not be able to order a t-shirt
• You're welcome to book up until 18 June 2027. However, if you book after 4 June 2027 we can't guarantee a hard copy of the teacher workbook, though we'll do everything we can to provide a suitable alternative.

Workshop Schedule

• Start: 9:00am on Friday 25 June 2027
• End: 12:30pm on Sunday 27 June 2027

Days 1 and 2 run from 9:00am to 5:00pm, with a full programme of collaborative sessions, practical exploration, and reflective learning. Day 3 runs from 9:00am to 12:30pm, focusing on assessment, reflection, and next steps before the event closes.

Please note: The IB requires participants to attend all sessions on all days in order to receive their certificate of completion. If you have an unavoidable scheduling conflict, please contact the Event Manager before the workshop starts.

Click here to take a look at a sample workshop schedule to get a feel for how the three days are structured.

IMPORTANT: Participants must attend ALL workshop sessions in their entirety in order to receive IB Certificate of completion. Please plan your trip accordingly.

Accommodation

All participants are responsible for booking their own accommodation in San Francisco for the duration of the workshops. ISTA recommends a 3-night stay, with check-in on Thursday 24 June 2027 and check-out on Sunday 27 June 2027

Arrival: Participants should plan to arrive in San Francisco by the evening of Thursday 24 June 2027

Departure: Participants should not plan to leave the venue before 12:30pm on Sunday 27 June 2027

Local Transportation

Participants will be responsible for arranging their own local transportation for this event. Please book travel accordingly and allow for ample time to travel to and from the airport.

Recommended Travel Routes

Primary Airport: San Francisco International Airport (SFO)SFO is the most convenient airport for participants travelling directly from the venue at the end of the event.

• By taxi/rideshare: approximately 25–45 minutes, depending on traffic
• By public transport: walk or take a short taxi/rideshare to Civic Center / UN Plaza BART Station, then take BART directly to SFO. Total journey time is usually around 40–55 minutes.

We recommend allowing at least 3 hours before a domestic flight and 4 hours before an international flight from the end of the event.

Alternative Airport: Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK)OAK may be suitable for some domestic routes.

• By taxi/rideshare: approximately 35–60 minutes, depending on Bay Bridge traffic
• By public transport: walk or take a short taxi/rideshare to Civic Center / UN Plaza BART Station, take BART toward Oakland, transfer at Coliseum Station, then take the airport BART connector to OAK. Total journey time is usually around 55–75 minutes.

We recommend allowing at least 3.5 hours before a domestic flight, and more if travelling during peak traffic times.

Local Transportation

All participants — including both visiting and local attendees — are responsible for arranging their own transport within San Francisco.

Visa Requirements

It is the responsibility of participants/schools to ensure they have the necessary visas.

Click here to find out more official information about entering the United States.

Visa applications can take time, so we strongly recommend starting the process as soon as possible.

If you require assistance or supporting documentation for your visa application, please contact the Event Manager well in advance.

Important Communication Information

ISTA business days are Monday to Friday, and we aim to respond to all emails within three business days.

ISTA staff do not monitor emails on weekends (Saturday & Sunday) or public holidays. If a staff member is working at an event, response times may be longer than usual.

The event fees include tea and coffee breaks each day, and lunch on Days 1 and 2.

Participants should bring:

• Current IB DP Theatre Subject Guide (ask your IB DP Coordinator if you do not have one)
• Comfortable, movement-friendly clothing
• Laptop (with charger) or notebook and pen for note-taking

Please note: ISTA and the host venue are not responsible for lost or damaged personal items.

All registered participants will receive an E-Programme approximately two weeks before the workshop.

This digital guide includes:

• Workshop venue details, full schedule, and timings
• Facilitator and artist biographies
• Key information to help you prepare and make the most of your ISTA learning experience

At the workshop, you will receive a printed teacher workbook to use during sessions and for future reference, along with access to workshop resources.