All in one week

I feel like I’ve been relatively on hiatus from my ‘normal’ life, as I get settled into some writing work and the rhythms of the more-or-less regularly employed.

And so far it’s been pretty decent. I ride my bike most days through the park to the office, eat lunch with my
colleagues, and cultivate my appreciation for fine spirits. It sounds not too bad, and it isn’t at all.

I’ve been writing and editing away. Including putting together the latest issue of the Alexander & James magazine and writing this particular article.

And all in all, immersing myself in the world of digital marketing, HTML, content management, editing, and online retail and getting to decide on content and style for a professional website is a pretty sweet gig. And when I’m not working I try and have meetings with other freelance friends, work on projects and go swimming. Yes, I dig it.

But I’ve been so deep into it, I’ve not been paying attention to all of the other stuff i enjoy doing, and then POW, this week I’ve got three exciting events happening.

1. Tonight I’ll be leading a workshop for storytellers called “Learn How to be Funny“. Now if I were making and marketing a workshop this isn’t what I would call it, but the good people at Impact Storytelling polled their members and the overwhelming consensus was a workshop specifically on this topic.

So they asked me to do it, because I use the tools of funny in my work, and like to quip. And I’ve designed a pretty nice workshop that balances fun and freedom and confidence with some specific tools that contribute to (or move in the direction of) ‘funny’ without encouraging hokey or lame jokes in presentations.

I’m actually quite excited about this. And who knows, perhaps there will be another one down the line, as the more I’ve been thinking about it, the more I’ve become convinced that humour can’t really be taught, and it definitely can’t be taught in one short course.

2. On Thursday I’ll be doing some character comedy as part of the Amsterdam Free Fringe’s Comedy Night. I didn’t specifically plan to do this, but now I am, and as I don’t usually do character comedy, the chance to bring out and debut some favourite characters I’ve developed and been sitting on is quite exciting. It’ll be pretty loosey-goosey on my part, and seems like a quite diverse line-up, so it will in all likelihood be an enjoyable night.

Yes, there will be tango.

3. On Friday I will be hosting My True Story at Mezrab. This is generally one of my favourite events, and I’ve been away for the past couple so unable to attend, tell stories or host, so I’m quite excited to get back at it. And this one is special as we will be celebrating 10 years Mezrab. A phenomenal achievement for any arts organisation, and an even bigger on for one run so singularly on dedication and community-building. I’m hoping for a big turnout, and we’ve got some great storytellers lined up.

So yeah, it’ll be a busy week, busier than I would actually set up on purpose, but, after a run of working corporate style, I’m looking well forward to enrichment and empowerment, raw silliness, and authentic engagement. All in one week.

By Liesbeth Smit|2015-02-03T15:51:17+00:00September 9 2014|

“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

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

Samora, Amsterdam

“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 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

“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 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

“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

“Absolutely brilliant! Exceptional work!”

Anonymous, Impro Hotel

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

Larissa, Amsterdam,

“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

“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

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

Natasha, 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

“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

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

Marton, Budapest

“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

“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

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

Derek, Amsterdam,

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

Imaan, Amsterdam

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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 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

All in one week

How was working with Ryan?

Contact Ryan Millar

All in one week

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