Commentary, Opinion, thoughts
CROSSING THE LINE! A LITTLE THOUGHT-SHOWER SEX, POLITICS, CULTURAL APPROPRIATION, GENDER, AGEISM, RACE, HISTORY, ME TOO, BLACK LIVES MATTER, RELIGION, 2SLGTBQIA+, CANCEL CULTURE, WOKE, INCLUSIVENENSS, MICRO AGRESSION, TRIGGER WARNING, etc, etc. This isn’t an argument for anything – I’m just keeping the dialogue open about the numerous “red lines” we might Read more…
CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION! EXPLORING AND DISCUSSING YOUR QUESTIONS RESPECT THE AUDIENCE “Is there a volunteer from the audience who would like to join us on stage?” This phrase can send a wave of fear through the audience. It’s not because they don’t want to help you out. It’s because audience Read more…
CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION! EXPLORING AND DISCUSSING YOUR QUESTIONS In last month’s newsletter (DECEMBER 2023) I wrote one suggestion that some people should quit improvising if it doesn’t make them happy. As I suspected, a couple of you wrote to me demanding a refund for all the workshops I gave to Read more…
KEITH’S LABORATORY Immanuela Lawrence’s article on Keith Johnstone, his legacy and influence is full of rich details and inspiration about the theatre visionary. The original article can be found at AlbertaViews.ca Keith Johnstone improvising with a mirror (featuring photographer Roger Mayne’s legs). Alberta Was His Finest Laboratory The passing of world-renowned improvisation guru Keith Johnstone By IMMANUELA LAWRENCE Improviser, Read more…
DON’T FAKE IT (’til you make it.) You must have heard this term before, “FAKE IT ‘TIL YOU MAKE IT!!” “FAKE IT ‘TILL YOU MAKE IT” is an encouragement to PRESENT A CONFIDENT FACADE and HIDE THE FEELING that you aren’t confident. “Bullshit when you can’t be credible”. “Be confident where Read more…
TALKING WITH MYSELF! Daniel Allan – Improvisation New Zealand TALKING WITH MYSELF is a series of self-interviews with an improviser you might want to meet one day. Today’s guest is Daniel Allan. From one of the most beautiful countries in the world, Daniel Allan talks to Daniel Allan about improvisation Read more…
KEITH JOHNSTONE’S Festive Wake There was death on stilts, cupcakes and cotton candy. There was a taco truck and a classical quartet. Bananas were broken and there was a matted Gorilla flown in from New Zealand. Keith asked for a festive wake. And that’s what he got. For those who Read more…
ARTIFICIAL IMPROVISATION It’s Here & Now (part-002/003) WELCOME to PART 2 of the AI IMPRO special!!! If you got to the end of PART 1, you would have realised that 70% of it was co-written by AI (including 4 of the 6 pictures which were AI generated.) I promise not Read more…
ARTIFICIAL IMPROVISATION (part-003/003) It’s Here & Now WELCOME to PART 3 of the AI IMPRO special!!! In PART 1, AI argued for itself. In Part 2, The humans and AI begin to play awkwardly. In this final Part 3, we hear the horrors, imagine the magic and move on bravely with Read more…
Recommended by Keith… Previous Next After a performance lacking in substance, devoid of refence to current events, or having no point of view, Keith Johnstone would often say, “Read a newspaper, read a book. It will improve your work on stage.” He encouraged us to watch a good movie or Read more…