A Guide to Keith Johnstone's Maestro Impro(TM)

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.

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 Theatre Schools and Companies, Business and Management training specialists and Humanities Research Institutes, 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 1960's, touring Europe and North America , was the Co-founder and Artistic Director of The Loose Moose Theatre Company in Calgary, Canada in the 1970's, 80's and 90's. He founded The International Theatresports Institute in 1998. Steve graduated from the University of Calgary Drama Department in 1991 and has been doing improvisation since 1987 beginning at Loose Moose theatre in Calgary, Canada.
Since 1991 he has produced nature and history theatre performing in schools, mountain parks museums and zoos.
Steve began working with masks in 1999 with the support of Keith Johnstone, then soon after, teaching at home and overseas.
Each year the Trancemask tour of Europe gets broader in scope. Advanced student courses are now held in half and full mask. Masks are popping up regularly in Impro shows and prepared mask pieces are also performed.
In 2016 Steve completed a ten month round the world trip with the masks teaching and performing in Columbia, Peru, Brazil, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Japan.

INTRODUCTION

About This Guide

Keith Johnstone

The International Theatresports™ Institute (ITI)

Before Playing Maestro Impro

MAESTRO IMPRO BACKGROUND

What is Maestro Impro?

Maestro Origins

The Name

Maestro Around the World

What Maestro Can Achieve

IMPORTANT CONCEPTS

How Maestro is Unique

The Spirit

Risk and Failure

Teamwork

Skills

PREPARATION

What You Need for Maestro

The Scoreboard

Pinnies/Buttons

Coins/Bowls

Duration

The Space

Placement of the Directors

Before the Show

Warm-up Class

Pre-show Meeting

MAESTRO IN DETAIL

The Start of the Show

Sample Opening

The Emcee and Scorekeeper

Voting/Scoring

Scene Rounds

Lightning Rounds

Eliminations

Directors

Who Should Direct

Responsibility

Challenges

Who and When to Direct

Preparation for Directing

Choosing the Players

Awareness of the Players

Variations and Practice

Player Initiative

Relationships

Questions/Triggers to Inspire Performers

Over-directing

Under-directing

New Directors

Summary of Directing Skills

Useful Directing

Players

Advice

Behaviour/Misbehaviour

Joining Scenes

Ending the Game

The Winner and Ending the Show

Sample Closing

The Prize

ATTENTION TO DETAIL

Content

Permission and Difficult Content

Fairness

Tips

Pitfalls

Scenography

Music

Lights and Sound

Notes

IN CLOSING