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Keith Johnstone

1933-2023 · Calgary, AB (Canada)

Also known as Donald Keith Johnstone

British-Canadian theorist whose Impro: Improvisation and the Theatre (1979) is the 'improviser's bible' outside the US; creator of Theatresports, Maestro, Gorilla Theatre, and the philosophical counterweight to Del Close's Harold.

Known for

Developed the Impro System at London's Royal Court Theatre Studio (1956-1966).
Founded Theatre Machine in 1967 in England; toured Europe and North America.
Co-founded Loose Moose Theatre in Calgary in 1977; artistic director until 1998.
Wrote Impro (1979) and Impro for Storytellers (1998) — translated into 15+ languages.
Invented Theatresports (1970s), Maestro Impro, Gorilla Theatre, and The Life Game — the dominant forms outside the Del Close orbit.
Founded the International Theatresports Institute in 1998 to license his formats globally.

Connected to

People

Patti Stiles Shawn Kinley

Schools & Theaters

Loose Moose Theatre Companyroyal court theatre

Forms

TheatresportsmaestroGorilla Theatre The Life Game

Concepts

Status (High / Low)Yes, Andcircles of expectationSpontaneity

Notes

Johnstone’s lineage is the parallel tradition to the Chicago/Del Close school: status-driven, narrative-driven, oriented around “spontaneity” and “failing happily.” If you’re in Europe, Australia, or any non-US English-speaking improv scene, the form you’re probably doing descends from Johnstone, not Close.

Sources

Referenced by

Concepts

Accepting Advancing Blocking Circle of Expectation / Circles of Expectation Dullness (The Dullness Trap)Endowment Lists (Johnstone Teaching Lists)Pimping Reincorporation Routine / Breaking Routines Status (High / Low)The Johnstone School (Theatresports Worldwide)The Offer Tilt What's Different Today?Yes, And

Festivals

Australian Impro Scene European Improv Scene Gorilla Theatre (Recurring Competition)Improstival Improvaganza International Theatresports Institute Loose Moose International Improvisation Summer School Theatresports (Recurring Competition)Theatresports World Championships

Schools & Theaters

ComedySportz (Milwaukee)Impro Australia Impro Melbourne Loose Moose Theatre Company The Bad Dog Theatre Company The Improv Centre (Vancouver)Third World Improv

Games

Danish Match Freeze Tag Gibberish Gorilla Challenge Gorilla Theatre Master-Servant Micetro Pan Left / Pan Right Reduction Status Swap

Forms

Gorilla Theatre Micetro Impro Narrative Long-Form The Life Game Theatresports

People

Jules Munns Patti Stiles Randy Dixon Shawn Kinley

Troupes

The Kids in the Hall

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