Press Release
16 June 2004
Theatresports inventor to appear on stage down-under for the first time!
The inventor of Theatresports Keith Johnstone is coming to Wellington
later this month. Johnstone is being brought to Wellington by the Wellington
Improvisation Troupe (WIT) to deliver a one week masterclass for local
and national improvisers and will appear on stage in New Zealand for the
first time.
Johnstone is the world's leading authority on improvisation, great chunks
of which he invented including TheatresportsTM, Gorilla Theatre TM and
MaestroTM over the past forty years. His ground-breaking work in the theatre
has led to popularity of improv around the globe and shows such as 'Whose
Line is it Anyway?'. "Keith is the reason WIT exists" explains
WIT's Co-Creative Director Ryan Hartigan. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity for our improv group, and theatre practitioners and the community
in New Zealand".
Keith will direct New Zealand improvisers in his first and only show in
New Zealand - The Secret Origin of Improv on 27 June at the Illott Theatre.
"This show will present improv the way it is supposed to be"
says Hartigan."Keith originally invented improv in the 1960s to get
people coming to the theatre in the same way people went to pro-wrestling
- to laugh, to scream, and to be totally entertained". Scenes and
stories will be made up on the spot under Keith's guiding hand.
The show will be the culmination of a full time masterclass involving
twenty improvisers and actors from around the country, including members
of WIT, Christchurch's Court Jesters and Wellington's professional improv
company The Improvisers. "Keith has a revolutionary effect on those
he teaches" explains WIT's other Co-Creative Director Julian Wilson,
who was trained by Johnstone in Canada. "He literally turns ordinary
people into brilliant, generous improvisers".
Keith will also be delivering training for the New Zealand Drama School
and WIT's youth group Joe Improv during his time in New Zealand. Contact
WIT on
or view our website on wit.org.nz
for further information about the masterclass or show 'Secret Origin of
Improv' (7pm, 27 June Illot. Tickets $18 (full) /$12 (group/concession)
$10 (child) through Ticketek).
Imagery and Electronic copies:
Accompanying photographs & graphics (in various formats)
and an electronic version of this press release can be downloaded in the
media section of the WIT.org.nz website. Visit http://wit.org.nz/mediaPromos/
Contact:
Communications Manager, Nicky Hill (0212373567)