Meet Keith Saltojanes

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Keith Saltojanes. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Keith below.

Keith, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Overcoming imposter syndrome when performing improv, or doing anything creative for that matter, is an ongoing process. It doesn’t completely go away- there are always moments where one could think, “What if people can tell I’m not as good as I should be?” But the reality is, people can’t read our thoughts. When someone steps onto a stage or shares their creative work, the audience assumes that person is meant to be there. It’s only when the individual begins to show uncertainty- apologizing preemptively, avoiding eye contact, speaking too quietly, or trailing off…that doubts arise.

It’s a lot like going to see a movie. When we walk into a theater without knowing anything about a film, we assume it’s going to be a good experience- that’s why we’re there in the first place. It’s only when the story, dialogue, or structure starts to reveal flaws that we begin to notice and say, “Oh… this is a bad movie!” The same goes for creative work. As long as you carry yourself with the confidence that you belong in that space, others will believe it, too.

I heard a great way to look at imposter syndrome recently- it isn’t that you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s just you are in process of learning more. A great reframe! Plus, creativity is subjective anyway- but, look, if you are doing it, then you are doing it. Some people can’t do it at all, so that means something in that’s where you should be.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

What’s special about us is our training program is that egos or competition are not welcomed here. Improv-LA is built around the idea of bringing out the best in people, in a space where you can truly be yourself to learn, fail, grow, and have fun. Here, you’re surrounded by people who share the same goals: to be creative, get out of their shell, and learn valuable skills while having fun.

What sets us apart is that we focus on creating a safe, supportive environment where confidence can grow naturally. It’s not just about being on stage or getting laughs- it’s about learning to trust yourself, take risks, and discover more of who you are. Every class is designed to encourage growth, both as an individual and within a team, fostering collaboration over competition.

We’ve worked with major Hollywood studios too (including Disney, Netflix, DreamWorks, Hulu, Amazon, & CBS) to help them have this culture in their work environment and pipeline as well- good projects come from good collaboration and a safe place to express oneself. It’s all about knowing how to harness the Yes, And mentality.

In Improv-LA classes, you’re not just learning improv; you’re building confidence, connecting with others, and becoming a more authentic version of yourself….while also, yes, laughing and creating hilarious comedic moments on the spot.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I’d have to say that the most impactful qualities in my journey are actually the same skills we teach in our classes: Listening, embracing the Yes, And mentality, and Trusting yourself and your instincts.

Listening is key- not just hearing, but truly being present with others, which is why it’s a rule laid out in the very first class. It allows you to connect deeper, both on and off stage, and opens up new perspectives. For those early in their journey, practice listening actively in every interaction. You’ll start to notice how much richer your understanding and responses become. By doing this in your creative journey, you are aware of things happening right now in this moment. There’ so much you can learn and build from right here and now.

Then the idea of Yes, And which is about embracing opportunities without hesitation. It encourages you to build on ideas rather than overthink them. Really it comes down to letting go of control, and allowing yourself to go down a path you maybe previously hadn’t thought of. Start by saying “yes” more in your own life- whether it’s to new experiences, challenges, or ideas- and watch how it expands your thinking and possibilities of growth.

Finally, Trusting yourself and your instincts has been crucial. Over time, I learned to lean into my own voice, trusting that my choices, even when uncertain, would lead to better places. We are often bombarded with outside voices telling us what we should do, but by Listening and Yes, Anding our own inner voice, it can lead us to amazing places.

Usually, people only tell you that something is impossible, because they can’t imagine themselves being able to do it- or jealousy. And who wants those things to stop you from reaching your goals?

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

Our ideal client is someone who’s come to a place in their life where they decided they’d like to better themselves in some way- whether that’s by making new friends, learning a new skill, or achieving a personal goal. They’re open to stepping outside their comfort zone, bringing out their inner child, and embracing the playful side of life- and definitely enjoy more laughs than they probably have had in their entire adult life. The hardest part of starting an improv class is usually just signing up and showing up- going into that unknown, but once they take that first step, they often wonder how they went this long without improv in their life.

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