Zingers #1: 10 Days with Keith Johnstone...the evening before

[David Zinger]

This is a running blog while I participate in the 10 Days with Keith Johnstone workshop. I have not had a day with Keith but the evening was interesting. James Faulkner, the manager for Keith Johnstone workshops made sure we were fed and informed. I have not often started a learning event with a lot of good Alberta beer (Big Rock Ale) and fabulous steaks, fish, chicken, corn, salad, etc. etc. etc.

William Hall sent me the following picture (I don't know the significance of the ghostly hand to the right of Keith but I am pleased that it seems to be waving to us. By the way, is that a mask in the wood just to the right and slightly above Keith?

We have been nourished. I had a slight trepidation that we were being fattened up for the slaughter but this is probably just because I am in Alberta beef country.

There are 23 participants. As far as I can tell I am one of the few, if not the only, person from Canada. Participants drove in, flew in, and all seemed attracted to Keith likes flies to a bright light at night (myself included). They had read his books and were ready to jump off the page onto the stage.

We are an eclectic group and one participant even had a relative who lived in a town called Eclectic Alabama that according to her the town was not really electic at all.

We were told that the 10 days would be filmed. I like how they said it so matter-of-fact. Of course I believe Keith knows how to make it safe so the camera may become superfluous.

Most of the participants are staying at Mount Royal College. Improvisation in a former military institution...how times have changed. I have not stayed in residence since I was in my early 20s about 30 years ago. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law drove me to the residence and I felt like a kid going to college...they even gave me the leftovers from Boston Pizza (this would include half eaten chicken fingers by my 2 year old niece and cheesy bugs that were rejected by Sam my 4 year old nephew) of course I got some good pizza from my brother-in-law and sister-in-law and I appreciated going to Safeway to buy some eggs and yogurt plus beer and rum.

It is hot in Calgary and a few participants were concerned about screens in the window. Two other members of the AIN are also in the course.

One woman was observing that there are more males then females in the course. You can draw your own conclusions about this.

Okay, I know I have not said anything about improvisation here yet but remember this was 10 days with Keith and this was not a day it was an evening.

I am pleased that James Faulkner, the competent manager for the course, loves both coffee and Big Rock Ale and that he is willing to donate personal spices to participants who need just a bit of spice in their life but don't want to go out and buy a whole mess or coriander.

[Colleen Laliberte]

Hello David Zinger! I was excited to see that you were writing and sharing your experiences of your 10 days with Keith...but I wanted to read more! Is there more? My first trip to the Loose Moose Theatre Co was in 1993 and it changed my life forever. I can't get enough! I went back in 1994,to Bay Area Theatresports in 1995, then back to the Moose in 1999 and again in 2004..and then brought Keith to Chattanooga TN in 2007 and 2008 and he is coming back in 2009...maybe you can come and join us here in Chattanooga!
March 9-14th 2009. I want to hear more about your time there. What did you think of the masks? AMAZING!
Colleen Laliberte,Skwalking Heads Productions, Chattanooga TN , USA