Dark-haired man in white shirt teaches a workshop

Learn to Love Public Speaking workshop, Amsterdam 2022 PHOTO: Robin Straaijer

About Ryan Millar

Creative Communications

Ryan Millar is an Amsterdam-based improviser, storyteller, event host, actor, communications trainer, and writer. If that sounds like a lot to you, imagine how he feels.

But, as diverse as all of those activities might appear, they all fit into the field of creative communications.

From creating and performing shows, to developing and delivering bespoke educational programs (and even the work as a hired actor and editor) – all of it is about helping people communicate better. Whether it’s telling better stories, improving personal engagement, or just clarifying the message, it’s all about ensuring the message lands. Quality communication doesn’t just happen, it requires expertise and refinement.

His diverse work history includes work as an interpreter at the Vancouver Aquarium and the Vancouver Art Gallery, spending a year and a half as a tour guide in Rome (which inspired his first solo storytelling show Roman Around), even being a camp counselor – all of it has required Ryan to develop and leverage his dynamic interpersonal skills to achieve maximum impact. (That might sound like a bunch of buzzword-bingo jargon, but it’s the truth).

All about writing

More recently, Ryan has focused on the written word. After graduating with an MA in Professional Writing from London Metropolitan University, Ryan has worked as a content editor, communications manager, and freelance. The goal is always the same: help clients sharpen their message, and then craft compelling prose and scripts. It keeps him busy, but he still makes time to host events, deliver workshops, and do the occasional acting gig.

As a performer and communications trainer, he has worked with clients including Apple, DG MARKT of the European Commission, Google, Virgin Media, Toastmasters Amsterdam, and Deutsche Bank. He’s part of the faculty of Guardian Masterclasses, running regular sell-out courses called ‘Learning to Love Public Speaking and Presenting’. He still occasionally performs with his friends at Boom Chicago.

As a writer, Ryan works as the Head of Content for Dutch travel startup Tiqets, as well as freelancing for a number of clients, including ING, Shell, Heineken, Renault, Microsoft, and a bunch of companies you’ve never heard of. An artist at heart, Ryan loves that he’s able to flex his creativity on professional projects. He also treasures being able to create straight-up passion projects.

Highlight projects

Performing with Trent Pancy as Milly Can Rap, an improvised hip-hop freestyle comedy duo
Writing his first book TAKE IT EASY: And More Tips for the Dedicated Improviser
His first solo storytelling comedy show – Roman Around – had successful consecutive runs at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2010 and 2011
Producing and directing The Two Gentlemen of Lebowski with Orange Tea Theatre
Doing a script-in-hand production of his solo theatre piece The Shipwreck of Oscar Mendler, a tragicomedy about hubris and sailing
Creating and performing solo storytelling comedy show Ever Better at Mezrab, October 2018
Winning an award for his first play The Power Force

Background

Born and raised in Canada, Ryan has lived in many different cities (Vancouver, Rome, Brussels, and London – with a brief stint in Hawaii along the way). He’s now settled in the Netherlands for the foreseeable future. He graduated from high school in a small town called Summerland BC (an actual place) and received a BA in Communications from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver.

Along the way he also received an Acting Certificate from Gastown Actor’s Studio. It’s here where he first started improvising. In the nearly 20 years since he’s worked, taught and performed all around Europe and North America.

He holds an MA in Professional Writing from London Metropolitan University, a BA in Communications and a Certificate in Sustainable Community Development from Simon Fraser, a Certificate in The Future of Storytelling from University of Potsdam, and a Certificate in Acting for Stage and Screen from Gastown Actor’s Studio.

Sure, he’s busy, but not too busy to talk to you.

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“Thank you so much for passing your writing knowledge onto me. I learned a lot and had a lot of fun too.”

Larissa, Amsterdam,

“Ryan seemed to know just what to do to get the best from everyone. I would jump at the opportunity to do another workshop led by him.”

Calum, Brighton

“I’ve benefitted immensely from this journey which I would recommend to anyone looking to learn more about themselves in a fun, immersive way.”

Simon, Amsterdam

“Thank you for your positive spirit, energy and creativity. Your public speaking sessions really helped me feel more comfortable standing in front of a group of people.”

Serena, Amsterdam

“I really admire your energy, creativity and knowledge and I’ve learned a lot from your training sessions.”

Natasha, Amsterdam,

“As a coach Ryan’s ability to zone in and identify the main agenda for each sessions was amazing. His coaching helped me reflect, make decisions and make positive changes in my business.”

Tracy, Dublin

“Ryan is an extremely qualified, talented, and professional teacher and coach. I’d recommend Ryan’s services to anyone!”

Derek, Amsterdam,

“Ryan really made the most out of the workshop. No time-wasting. He gets to the point quickly, in a clear and effective way.”

Pedro, Lisbon

“Very inspiring and useful workshop. Picked me up from where I’m at and helped me develop strategies to improve developing scenes and my performance skills.”

Anonymous, Switzerland

“Because of you my fear of speaking or presenting in front of an audience has lessened a great deal.”

Samora, Amsterdam

“Ryan is a natural at teaching and you get the feeling he puts his heart and soul into helping others. I look forward to doing more workshops with Ryan.”

Shauna, Tunbridge Wells

“Working with you was an absolute blast! I’ll take your writing advice with me wherever I go.”

Marton, Budapest

“Ryan’s improv workshop is incredibly fun but also ruthlessly effective. Participants are taught to drop their inhibitions, let their imagination flow and and embrace the positive attitude at the heart of improv. They are also treated to Ryan’s personal blend of enthusiasm, wit and generosity.”

Jeremy, Brussels

“Absolutely brilliant! Exceptional work!”

Anonymous, Impro Hotel

“I LOVED the fucking GREAT and positive energies in the workshop. They so got me going. Perhaps the highest moment during this festival was laughing in the workshop (to the dances… :)).”

Ben, Tel Aviv

“I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop. I learned how beautiful authenticity is, with such little moments as sharing your breakfast. Being in the moment is so amazing to see and to feel.”

Laura, Amsterdam

“Plenty of energy, enthusiasm, good clear guidance on how to make the scene ‘deliver results’ without killing the improviser… Ryan’s enthusiasm for improv is infectious.”

James, Brighton

“I’ve learned so much from you and thank you for giving me that nudge to get out of my comfort zone.”

Imaan, Amsterdam

“Your Taking It Easy session helped me relax more into the truth of a scene and let it grow more organically instead of pushing too hard to make it funny or dramatic. I loved that you were really clear about what you wanted us to get and how the exercises played into the scene work we did later. I really got a lot from one short session.”

Andrew, Brighton

“Ryan is the most enthusiastic, positive workshop leader I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I’ve been to several of his workshops and after each session I came away with a sense of achievement and feeling that I had learnt something new.”

Chris, London

“Ryan is a great teacher, very serious (and very funny!) gives great coaching during scenes! I had a great time studying with him!!”

Alon, Tel Aviv

“Ryan’s coaching sessions really improved my public speaking skills and made my presentations much more interesting for my audience.”

Furio S., Berlin

“The skills I learned from those two weekends, which were two of the most enjoyable weekends I’ve ever had, have been an invaluable tool I use to this day in my daily life, both at work and in personal interactions.”

Andy, Brussels

“Ryan is an incredible teacher. He took a straggling group of beginners and turned us into a viable company of improvisational actors who regularly perform together – in front of actual, paying, repeat customers.”

Carrie, Brussels

“I especially enjoyed the clarity in all of what you were doing – I always understood what it was that you were teaching. I never felt lost. That was really awesome.”

Martin, Tampere

“I loved loved loved your workshop. I liked the way it was structured and meaningful. Time flew unnoticed. I liked the shortness of the exercises, the surprise and fun, and the fact that you gave me so much to explore. I now can be in an empty prison cell or in a desert island and never feel alone or bored anymore. Now I can expand my world.”

Elsa, Lisbon

About Ryan Millar

Creative Communications

All about writing

Highlight projects

Background

How was working with Ryan?

Contact Ryan Millar