We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Donald Keith Johnstone, age 90. Keith, as he was known since childhood, was an internationally recognized pioneer of improvisation theatre, co-founder of The Loose Moose Theatre Company, creator of Theatresports, an important playwright, director, and most importantly, a beloved teacher. Keith passed away peacefully at Rockyview Hospital in Calgary, Canada, on Saturday, March 11, 2023.
Per Keith’s request, a "festive wake” will be held in his honor on June 25, 2023. More information here
Keith Johnstone teaching DVDs
Don’t do your best. Keith Johnstone at the TEDx YYC event in Calgary, Canada AB, summer 2016
Keith Johnstone Biography
"Dudeck presents an engaging and much-needed scholarly analysis of Johnstone and his work, masterfully weaving theory and practice together in a text that is certain to find diverse and appreciative audiences" ~ Theatre History Studies
Don’t be prepared
KEITH JOHNSTONE was one of the few internationally recognized authorities in
the field of improvisation, great chunks of which he created, including Theatresports™, Maestro Impro© (or Micetro© Impro), Gorilla Theatre™, and The Life Game©. Keith wrote two best selling books about his Theatre and Improvisation theories and practices, in addition to many plays and short stories.
Theatresports™ is known worldwide. The Life Game© was produced by London’s Improbable Theatre Co. (directed by Phelim McDermott). It toured Great Britain and the USA to great reviews.
His books, Impro and Impro For Storytellers, have been translated into many languages. His plays are produced internationally.
Keith’s ideas about improvisation, behaviour and performance appeal to a wide variety of groups: from actors to psychotherapists, improvisation companies to drama schools and theatre companies, business and management training specialists to humanities research institutes. For over six decades, universities, organizations, and companies everywhere invited Keith to teach them about his ideas, and how they might apply them.
Keith founded the Theatre Machine improvisation group in England in 1967, touring Europe and North America; was the Co-founder and Artistic Director of The Loose Moose Theatre Company in Calgary, Canada, from 1977 to 1998; retired from the University of Calgary as a professor emeritus in 1995; and founded The International Theatresports™ Institute in 1998.
Performing rights of Keith Johnstone's formats
Theatresports™, Gorilla Theatre™, Maestro Impro© are managed through the The International Theatresports™ Institute.
The Life Game™ rights are
managed through
Keith Johnstone Workshops Inc.