Blog - Ryan Millar

Writing a book ain’t easy

So... making progress on a book isn't easy. I know this because five years ago when I wrote my first book I got very excited when the manuscript was complete. What then happened was I

By Ryan Millar|2022-12-02T09:52:05+00:00December 2 2022|

Public speaking, writing and improv workshops a-plenty!

PHOTO: Robin Straaijer I've been teaching a whole lot of workshops in the past few months. Some online, some in-person, some in-company, and some IRL for the general public. And I have to

By Ryan Millar|2022-11-30T20:11:49+00:00November 30 2022|

Get yourself a swipe file

The average person has about 40,000 thoughts a day. That's a lot of thinking to wrangle! How do you keep track of all the cool stuff you think (and see) that you want to

By Ryan Millar|2022-11-22T20:16:18+00:00November 22 2022|

Writing makes you a better thinker

The greatest outcome of learning to write well isn't that you're better able to communicate with others. Writing's most powerful outcome is its impact on your thinking. Writing supercharges your ability to understand your

By Ryan Millar|2022-11-15T20:38:11+00:00November 15 2022|

My scariest Halloween

My scariest Halloween wasn't the one where I got the most scared. It was the one where I gave the most scares -- as a professional scare actor deep within the London Dungeon. Halloween is

By Ryan Millar|2022-10-31T18:00:35+00:00October 31 2022|

What The Bear can teach us about storytelling

We just finished watching The Bear on Disney+. It's excellent. Full stop. It’s also a great illustration of a principle that we discussed in my recent online storytelling workshop: juxtaposition. Having contrast in your story

By Ryan Millar|2022-10-19T19:43:50+00:00October 19 2022|

One year to change everything

20 years ago I hopped off the train and popped out of Amsterdam Centraal Station. I was still a little fuzzy from the valium I'd taken on the plane. I wandered, extremely overawed, to a

By Ryan Millar|2022-10-06T09:08:57+00:00October 5 2022|

Alphabet of the City

PHOTO CREDIT: Jessica Hast / Unsplash For two weeks I’ve been biking across Amsterdam twice a day. Once in the morning to take my five-year-old to camp by the Vondelpark. And once again

By Ryan Millar|2022-08-25T13:14:08+00:00August 25 2022|

I’m working on a new book

IMAGE: Pixabay When I wrote TAKE IT EASY I always had it in my mind as a first book. One that soon be followed by another book. I even knew what the book

By Ryan Millar|2022-08-25T08:29:03+00:00August 24 2022|

The secret to creativity

PHOTO: Tosab Photography/ Unsplash The secret to creativity is being okay with making lots of bad art. Basically, you need the ability to put many ideas out into the world (at least onto

By Ryan Millar|2022-08-11T12:13:21+00:00August 11 2022|

“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

“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 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 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 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

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

Natasha, Amsterdam,

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

Marton, Budapest

“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 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 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

“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

“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 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 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

“Absolutely brilliant! Exceptional work!”

Anonymous, Impro Hotel

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

Furio S., Berlin

“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

“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

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

Derek, 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

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

Larissa, Amsterdam,

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

Samora, Amsterdam

“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 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