Looking down the barrel of a mime gun. PHOTO: Keef Williams

Improv

Ryan has been improvising for nearly 20 years. In that time he has taught and performed improv comedy at festivals, theatres, above pubs, and convention centres all over Europe and Canada. Here are some improv shows Ryan is currently working on:

Marbles Improv

Marbles is ‘open-source’ improv; a free-and-easy solo format where anything can happen. It usually involves chats with the audience, sometimes guest players (from seasoned veterans to innocent audience members), and always features Ryan riffing on it all through improvised stories, scenarios and characters. Originally developed by Ryan Millar and Dave Waller as a two-man format, Marbles has always been a very open show. Based on chats with the audience, and riffs on whatever springs to mind, improv would happen, and themes and stories would emerge. Ryan first attempted it on his own once when Dave was double-booked in spring 2012. That went really well. So did the next time. When Dave quit Marbles that summer to focus on his own projects, Ryan decided he enjoyed doing Marbles on his own so much that he continues to do so.

Milly Can Rap

What happens when two improvisers who both love hip-hop get together to do a two-person show? I’ll tell you: Milly Can Rap. That’s what. I invited Trent Pancy (Finland International Improv Festival, JadaJada Improv) to Brussels in December 2013 to teach workshops and do some shows with me. We didn’t just do shows though, we created a brand new format and a brand new group. It involves interconnected scenes, beatboxing and rapping. It’s called Milly Can Rap and it is ridiculously fresh. Since then we’ve performed in Amsterdam, Tampere and Helsinki, and will be part of the Barcelona International Festival in November 2014.

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The Mullet

The Mullet is not for pussies.

The Mullet is a format developed by Ryan that combines longform ‘exploration’ and shortform games to create a hybrid. Like the world’s most audacious haircut brought to life. It premièred at the 2012 Slapdash International Improv Festival. The players were:

Jacob Banigan
Jim Libby
Rachel Semigran
Amy Cooke-Hodgson
Herman Gambhir
Alexis Gallagher
Jinni Lyons
Ryan Millar

The Pitch

One man creates a feature film, for your eyes only. Every performance is an opportunity for Ryan to develop and pitch a one-off idea to an audience with the power to greenlight his dreams. Every show is a different film. With the audience as focus group, writers’ room, co-stars and studio executives, Ryan creates all the elements of the perfect action-packed Hollywood blockbuster. Or romantic comedy. Or heart-warming coming-of-age tale. Or whatever film it is the audience decides it wants to see. You get the point. But the question is: does he get the picture?

And here is a list of some of the groups and festivals he has done shows or worked with:

Boom Chicago
Slapdash International Improv Festival
Mezrab
Impro Hotel
Barcelona International Improv Festival
!nstant Theatre
Amsterdam Free Fringe
EasyLaughs Amsterdam
Finland International Improv Festival
Katy & Rach
London Improvathon
Liverpool Improvathon
Grand Theft Impro
Hoopla
Vancouver Theatresports

Ryan is available for workshops, coaching and drop-in shows, because he just can’t ever get enough improv in his life.

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

Furio S., Berlin

“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

“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

“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 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

“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

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

Larissa, Amsterdam, Your Content Goes Here

“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

“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

“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 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’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 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

“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

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

Imaan, Amsterdam

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

Samora, Amsterdam

“Absolutely brilliant! Exceptional work!”

Anonymous, Impro Hotel

“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