Quotes from Keith Johnstone

Those who say yes are rewarded by the adventures they have.

Wide-eyed students see everything in a positive light, and huge energy can be released. They'll seem less afraid of the 'space' around them, and they're likely to stop 'judging themselves'. Remove defences in life and you increase anxiety: remove them onstage and anxiety diminishes.

The audience doesn't like players who seem stressed. They want you to be visibly in control. Theatre is an expression of vitality, but it's also a cave where human beings should feel secure.

This is theatre, not the work-a-day world where people are mean spirited and drag themselves about with "marks of woe".

Laughter is a whip that keeps us in line. It's horrible to be laughed at against your will. Either you suppress unwelcome laughter or you start controlling it.

If you believe you're good already, you don't need to do extra stuff to impress us. Your best work comes when you're absorbed; because then your ego is away.

In a normal education everything is designed to suppress spontaneity, but I wanted to develop it.

If people had no fear, you'd hardly need to have to teach them. It's the fear that screws everything up.

If it weren't for fear, I wouldn't have to teach you a damn thing

If you have a good idea, open your mouth and say something else.