Impro

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.