Key Takeaways
1. Status is a fundamental aspect of human interaction and can be taught
"Status seems to me to be a useful term, providing the difference between the status you are and the status you play is understood."
Understanding status transactions: Status is not about social hierarchy, but about how we interact with others in any given moment. It's expressed through subtle cues in body language, tone of voice, and behavior. By recognizing and manipulating these cues, actors and improvisers can create more dynamic and realistic scenes.
Teaching status: Status can be taught through various exercises:
- Asking students to play scenes with slight status differences
- Practicing different physical postures and vocal tones associated with high and low status
- Exploring status reversals within scenes
Status awareness has practical applications beyond theater, helping people navigate social situations more effectively and understand the underlying dynamics of interpersonal relationships.
2. Spontaneity is crucial for creativity and can be cultivated through specific exercises
"When I explain that sanity is a matter of interaction, rather than of one's mental processes, students are often hysterical with laughter."
Overcoming mental blocks: Many people struggle with spontaneity due to fear of judgment or a desire to appear clever. Johnstone argues that true creativity comes from accepting and expressing our first thoughts, rather than censoring them.
Exercises to foster spontaneity:
- Word association games
- Gibberish speaking exercises
- "Yes, and" improvisations
- Timed writing without self-editing
By practicing these techniques, individuals can learn to bypass their inner critic and access a more immediate, authentic form of expression. This not only enhances performance but can lead to greater creativity in all aspects of life.
3. Narrative skills can be developed by understanding story structure and reincorporation
"The improviser has to be like a man walking backwards. He sees where he has been, but he pays no attention to the future."
Story structure: Johnstone emphasizes the importance of understanding basic narrative elements:
- Establishing a routine
- Interrupting the routine
- Reincorporating earlier elements
Reincorporation technique: This involves bringing back earlier ideas, characters, or objects into a story. It creates a sense of cohesion and satisfaction for the audience.
Practical exercises:
- Creating stories in pairs, with one person providing disconnected elements and the other connecting them
- "Word at a time" storytelling games
- Practicing "interrupting routines" in improvised scenes
By mastering these skills, improvisers and writers can create more engaging and satisfying narratives, whether in performance or on the page.
4. Masks and trance states unlock hidden aspects of personality and enhance performance
"A Mask is a device for driving the personality out of the body and allowing a spirit to take possession of it."
Power of masks: Masks have been used in various cultures for centuries to facilitate transformation and access altered states of consciousness. In theater, they can help actors transcend their usual limitations and embody entirely new characters.
Types of masks and their effects:
- Half masks: Allow for more expressive, often comedic performances
- Full masks: Create a sense of stillness and tragedy, requiring precise physicality
- Neutral masks: Help actors discover a base state free from personal mannerisms
Trance states: Johnstone describes how wearing masks can induce trance-like states in performers, allowing them to access deeper levels of creativity and expression. This concept is linked to various cultural practices and can be applied in modern theater training to enhance performance and character development.
5. Improvisation techniques can be applied to various aspects of life and art
"An artist who is inspired is being obvious. He's not making any decisions, he's not weighing one idea against another. He's accepting his first thoughts."
Beyond theater: The principles of improvisation can be applied to:
- Writing
- Problem-solving
- Personal relationships
- Business negotiations
- Education
Key improvisation principles:
- Accepting and building on offers
- Being present in the moment
- Embracing failure as a learning opportunity
- Trusting one's instincts
By adopting these principles, individuals can become more adaptable, creative, and effective in various areas of life. Improvisation teaches valuable skills such as active listening, collaboration, and quick thinking that are beneficial in many professional and personal contexts.
6. Breaking routines and accepting offers are essential for dynamic storytelling
"Blocking is a form of aggression."
Breaking routines: Johnstone emphasizes that interesting stories come from interrupting established patterns or expectations. This creates tension and engages the audience.
Accepting offers: In improvisation, "accepting offers" means embracing and building upon the ideas presented by your scene partners. This principle can be applied to storytelling by:
- Incorporating unexpected elements
- Following through on seemingly random ideas
- Avoiding the temptation to "block" or negate new directions in a story
Practical applications:
- In writing: Explore unexpected plot twists or character decisions
- In improvisation: Practice saying "yes, and" to build scenes collaboratively
- In life: Be open to new experiences and perspectives
By embracing these principles, storytellers and improvisers can create more engaging and surprising narratives.
7. Full and half masks create different performance experiences and require distinct approaches
"To some extent we can say that the half, or comic, Masks are low status, and the full Tragic Masks are high status."
Half masks:
- Cover only the upper part of the face
- Allow for more expressive, often comedic performances
- Tend to create childlike, impulsive characters
Full masks:
- Cover the entire face
- Create a sense of stillness and tragedy
- Require precise physicality and control
Approaches to mask work:
- Half masks: Focus on spontaneity, physical comedy, and vocal play
- Full masks: Emphasize stillness, deliberate movement, and non-verbal communication
Understanding these differences allows performers to adapt their techniques appropriately, creating more powerful and authentic masked performances. The contrasting approaches also offer insights into different styles of acting and character development, even when masks are not used.
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FAQ
What's Impro: Improvisation and the Theatre about?
- Focus on Improvisation: The book delves into the art of improvisation in theatre, highlighting the significance of spontaneity and creativity. Keith Johnstone shares his techniques and exercises to help actors unlock their imaginative potential.
- Four Main Sections: It is divided into four key areas: Status, Spontaneity, Narrative Skills, and Masks and Trance, each offering practical exercises and insights into effective improvisation.
- Personal Journey: Johnstone shares his transformation from a struggling writer to a successful improvisation teacher, illustrating the power of embracing spontaneity in creative expression.
Why should I read Impro: Improvisation and the Theatre?
- Enhance Creativity: The book is essential for boosting creativity in acting, writing, or other artistic endeavors, encouraging readers to break free from conventional thinking.
- Practical Techniques: It offers a wealth of exercises applicable in various contexts, making it valuable for educators, actors, and public speakers to foster spontaneity and originality.
- Insightful Philosophy: Johnstone provides a unique perspective on creativity and the importance of play, challenging traditional educational norms that often stifle imagination.
What are the key takeaways of Impro: Improvisation and the Theatre?
- Embrace Spontaneity: Spontaneity is crucial for creativity, with Johnstone emphasizing that one is not imaginatively impotent until they are dead, only frozen up.
- Status Transactions: Understanding status and its impact on interactions is vital for improvisation, as every sound and posture implies a status.
- Accepting Offers: The book highlights the importance of accepting offers in improvisation, teaching that the improviser's first skill lies in releasing their partner's imagination.
What specific methods does Keith Johnstone recommend for fostering spontaneity?
- Status Exercises: Johnstone suggests exercises to explore status dynamics, such as adjusting one's status slightly above or below a partner's to enhance scene authenticity.
- Blind Offers: He introduces making blind offers, where actors perform actions without intention, allowing for organic interactions and creative responses.
- Overaccepting: Johnstone advocates for overaccepting offers in a scene, encouraging actors to accept and block in a way that keeps the action flowing.
How does Keith Johnstone define status and its importance in improvisation?
- Definition of Status: Status is the implicit power dynamics in every interaction, with every inflection and movement implying a status that can shift throughout a scene.
- Impact on Performance: Understanding and manipulating status is crucial for engaging and authentic performances, allowing actors to explore deeper character relationships.
- Practical Application: Johnstone provides exercises to help actors become aware of their own and their partners' status, leading to more nuanced performances.
What role does spontaneity play in Keith Johnstone's teaching methods?
- Core Principle: Spontaneity is foundational in Johnstone’s approach, encouraging actors to embrace their first instincts and overcome inhibitions.
- Overcoming Inhibition: His methods help students overcome traditional educational inhibitions, promoting a playful and open mindset.
- Fostering Creativity: By encouraging spontaneity, Johnstone helps actors tap into their natural creativity, creating a safe environment for expression without judgment.
How does Impro address the relationship between education and creativity?
- Critique of Traditional Education: Johnstone critiques traditional education for stifling creativity, arguing it often leads to a loss of spontaneity and imaginative thinking.
- Encouragement of Play: The book advocates for a playful learning approach, where creativity is nurtured rather than suppressed.
- Reclaiming Imagination: Johnstone encourages readers to reclaim their imaginative abilities, emphasizing the importance of being imaginative and playful regardless of age.
What insights does Keith Johnstone provide about narrative skills in improvisation?
- Understanding Structure: Effective improvisation relies on understanding narrative structure, focusing on what happens rather than what characters say.
- Spontaneous Storytelling: Johnstone encourages focusing on spontaneous storytelling, accepting that improvisation reveals one's innermost self.
- Character Dynamics: He highlights the importance of character dynamics, particularly how status affects relationships, creating engaging narratives.
How can I apply the concepts from Impro in my own creative practice?
- Practice Status Exercises: Incorporate status exercises to explore power dynamics, affecting storytelling and character development.
- Embrace Spontaneity: Trust your instincts and embrace first ideas, often leading to original and engaging outcomes.
- Collaborate with Others: Engage in collaborative improvisation to practice accepting offers and building on ideas, enhancing artistic expression.
What role do Masks play in improvisation according to Keith Johnstone?
- Transformative Tools: Masks allow actors to step outside their identities, exploring different characters and emotions, enhancing creativity.
- Encouraging Vulnerability: Wearing a Mask provides security in expressing emotions, allowing exploration of a wider range of feelings.
- Facilitating Character Development: Masks help actors develop characters by providing a physical representation, leading to more authentic performances.
How does Keith Johnstone suggest overcoming performance anxiety?
- Create a Supportive Environment: Emphasizes fostering a safe atmosphere for performers, reducing anxiety and encouraging risk-taking.
- Focus on the Process: Shifting focus from results to the creative process alleviates pressure, promoting exploration and experimentation.
- Use of Games and Exercises: Engaging in playful exercises builds confidence, promoting spontaneity and comfort with creativity.
How can educators apply Keith Johnstone’s methods in their teaching?
- Incorporate Improvisational Exercises: Use Johnstone’s exercises to encourage creativity and spontaneity, helping students develop confidence and communication skills.
- Foster a Safe Learning Environment: Create a supportive atmosphere for risk-taking, encouraging exploration and expression without fear of judgment.
- Encourage Collaboration: Emphasize collaboration to promote teamwork and cooperation, enhancing the learning experience through group activities and games.
Review Summary
Impro is highly regarded for its insights into improvisation, creativity, and human behavior. Readers praise Johnstone's unique perspective on education, status dynamics, and spontaneity. The book's exercises are valued for enhancing storytelling and interpersonal skills. Many find it life-changing, applicable beyond theater. The "Status" chapter is particularly praised. Some criticize the final chapter on masks as outdated or confusing. Overall, readers appreciate the book's unconventional approach to unlocking creativity and understanding social interactions.
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