At school any spontaneous act was likely to get me into trouble. I learned never to act on impulse, and that whatever came into my mind first should be rejected in favour of better ideas. I learned that my imagination Wasn’t ‘good’ enough. I learned that the first idea was unsatisfactory because it was (1) psychotic; (2) obscene; (3) unoriginal. The truth is that the best ideas are often psychotic, obscene and unoriginal.
Keith JohnstoneWhen you want to have entertainment, it must be a waste of time. I don't like that. I don't like improvisation being pointless.
Keith JohnstoneThe problem's always been to deal with the fear.Cos the fear is pretty . . . it ruins everybody really.
Keith JohnstoneThe improviser has to understand that his first skill lies in releasing his partner’s imagination.
Keith JohnstoneMost people I meet are secretly convinced that they’re a little crazier than the average person. People understand the energy necessary to maintain their own shields, but not the energy expended by other people. They understand that their own sanity is a performance, but when confronted by other people they confuse the person with the role.
Keith Johnstone