Keith Johnstone: A Critical Biography

(Paperback)

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Keith Johnstone entered the Royal Court Theatre as a new playwright in 1956: a decade later he emerged as a groundbreaking director and teacher of improvisation. His decisive book Impro (1979), described Johnstone's unique system of training: weaving together theories and techniques to encourage spontaneous, collaborative creation using the intuition and imagination of the actors. Johnstone has since become world-renowned, inspiring theatre greats and beginners alike; and his work continues to influence practice within and beyond the traditional theatre. Theresa Robbins Dudeck is the first author to rigorously examine Johnstones life and career using a combination of archival documents many from Johnstones personal collection participant observation, and interviews with Johnstone, his colleagues and former students. Keith Johnstone: A Critical Biography is a fascinating journey through the physical spaces that have served as Johnstones transformative classrooms, and into the conceptual spaces which inform his radical pedagogy and approach to artistic work.

Reviews

The book succeeds as an illuminating companion to Johnstone's writing and for anyone who wants to add to their understanding of how to improvise ... This is a living history and one which is required reading for anyone who has ever improvised and wants to know the pedagogical philosophy and principles ... An invaluable and inspiring insight into the influences and experiences that have shaped an unsung genius of twentieth-century theatre * New Theatre Quarterly *
[Dudeck's] aim of balancing scholarship with accessibility is ably achieved in this unsentimental critical biography that greatly enriches our understanding of the system, and its enigmatic creator and, crucially, the pedagogic principles that drive both. * Theatre Notebook *
As a whole, Dudecks biography provides a balanced and thorough critique of one of the most under-recognized theatre practitioners of the twentieth century. Ideal for both Impro veterans and novices of spontaneity, this text will serve as an infinitely useful supplement to Johnstones own texts and other historical accounts of improvisational theory and practice. * Theatre Topics *
Keith Johnstone has unlocked the potential for human creativity more than anyone else that Ive encountered. And his ideas are still a radical challenge to what it means to educate or be educated. So its great to finally have a book that lays out Keiths ideas and puts them in the context of his life and times. Essential reading for artists, teachers or anyone who wants to be more fully alive. * Mark Ravenhill, Playwright *
Chronicling the mind and works of one of the great teachers of our age is no small task. Prof. Dudeck has given us a window into the world of Keith Johnstones life and pedagogy. Attending Keiths workshops opened new vistas in social psychology for me decades ago . . . and his original views on status have become foundational ideas in the social sciences. I rejoice that readers of all ages can now stand in his classroom. * Philip Zimbardo, Ph.D., professor emeritus of psychology, Stanford University *
Keith Johnstone is so off-the-charts original and creative its hard to express. He taught me more about secret human behaviors, status transactions, and how to employ them in my work than any other person in my life, with startling results. This book is a noteworthy contribution to the knowledge of this rare and wonderful man and is to be snatched up and digested immediately! * Peter Coyote, Actor/Writer *
Whether its devising with Improbable, improvising with the Comedy Store Players, or directing at the Metropolitan Opera, every aspect of my work is profoundly influenced by Keith Johnstones teaching. In this book, Dudeck offers a frank, inspiring account of Keiths path, articulates the deeply held passions at the centre of his methodology, and situates Keith and his work in its proper place: at the heart and creative wellspring of modern theatre. * Phelim McDermott, Director/Actor/Writer *

Author Bio

Theresa Robbins Dudeck, Ph.D., is an experienced teacher/practitioner of Keith Johnstone's Impro System and of acting, voice, and applied theatre techniques. She directs, teaches, and performs in both professional and academic settings. As Johnstones Literary Executor, she continues to organize, document, and preserve his archive for future scholarship. Theresa lives in Los Angeles.