Liesbeth Smit, Author at Ryan Millar

About Liesbeth Smit

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So far Liesbeth Smit has created 1228 blog entries.

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

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

Practice makes perfect – in theory.Or perfect practice makes better, according to my high school volleyball coach. But in both versions of this peptalk, there is a direct correlation between practice and improvement (or hours

By Liesbeth Smit|2017-09-14T08:43:39+00:00August 22 2014|

A quick blast of Fringe

An idea formed in my mind some months ago: a sneaky return to the Edinburgh Fringe. Not an actual run, but a couple performances, a few guest spots, some visiting with friends and seeing a

By Liesbeth Smit|2017-09-14T08:43:39+00:00August 15 2014|

A new year, a slight pivot

We're over the halfway point of the second calendar year of my Amsterdam Programme.That 'programme' is sort of generally my life here: working as a creative freelancer, and pursuing writing and performing professionally. It's been

By Liesbeth Smit|2017-09-14T08:43:39+00:00August 2 2014|

12 tips for the creative freelancer

Fields of flowers at sunset can be so relaxing I've been a 'creative freelancer' for a while now: in fact, ever since we moved to Amsterdam eighteen months ago. And it's going alright. Pretty well, even.I've

By Liesbeth Smit|2017-09-14T08:43:39+00:00July 28 2014|

Return to the Edinburgh Fringe

For two shows only, I'll be at the 2014 Edinburgh FringeI'm pleased to announce, more or less more officially (I'm pretty sure a blogpost qualifies as an official channel), that I'll be back in Edinburgh

By Liesbeth Smit|2017-09-14T08:43:39+00:00July 25 2014|

So Corfu-sed

I'm just back from Impro Hotel in Corfu, and I'm still completely Corfused.I was definitely in another world for a full week - and that world was full of sun, laughs, delicious homemade meals served

By Liesbeth Smit|2017-09-14T08:43:39+00:00July 22 2014|

An incomplete guide to Ryan Millers and Millars

That's not a typo. The Canucks new goalie spells his last name with an 'e'. A lot of people have been asking me if I'm excited about heading back to Vancouver to play for the Canucks.

By Liesbeth Smit|2017-09-14T08:43:39+00:00July 3 2014|

Performers: be yourself

As straightforward as it can get. I've started teaching a new workshop this Slapdash Festival, named "Get Real". It's called that because it's a snappy title (if I do say so myself), and also to help

By Liesbeth Smit|2017-09-14T08:43:39+00:00June 25 2014|

Words, words, words

Words. That's how people communicate. With their mouths, their minds, their keyboards and even their pens. Mouthing the sounds or drawing the shapes of letters that together form words. These words, once written or spoken,

By Liesbeth Smit|2015-02-03T15:52:20+00:00June 23 2014|

“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 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

“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 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

“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 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

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

Natasha, 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

“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 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

“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’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

“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

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

Samora, Amsterdam

“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

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

Furio S., Berlin

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

Derek, 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

“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

“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

“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 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

“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

“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