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 at a future date. When information is available, it will be posted on this website.
Keith Johnstone teaching DVDs
Don’t do your best. Keith Johnstone at the TEDx YYC event in Calgary, Canada AB, summer 2016
Don’t be prepared
KEITH JOHNSTONE is 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 has written two best selling books about his Theatre and Improvisation theories and practices, in addition to several 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 world wide.
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 and humanities research institutes, and universities and film production companies have invited him to come to teach them about his ideas, and how they might apply them.
He founded the Theatre Machine Improvisation group in England in the 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. He founded The International Theatresports™ Institute in 1998. If you are looking for Workshops to attend, visit the Workshops Page.
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
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.