Milly Can Rap and more in Brussels

This is the Atomium. It’s in Brussels

So it’s time for another trip to Brussels, for shows and workshops. You may recall I lived in Brussels for a time, and I liked that time alright, but I love going to Brussels for improv shows and workshops.

And this time is a bit special, as we’re going in big, improv guns a-blazing!

First of all, the group in Brussels that I’ve been working with has taken huge progressive leaps in the last while. They do shows on their own, rehearse regularly, and generally are doing it for themselves. I’ll be performing wiht them both Saturday and Sunday night, and I’m psyched about that.

This man is Trent Pancy

And, still in the ‘going big’ category: I’m bringing out my friend Trent Pancy (awesome dude, and founder of the Finland International Improv Festival), and we’ll be debuting our two-man show Milly Can Rap, which will be the two of us making some improv magic that just happens to include a little freestyle rapping.

And that’s not all. We’re making it a full musical weekend, so I’m also getting my pal Sacha Hoedemaker, Assistant Musical Director at Boom Chicago, and all-around great guy, to come down and work some music at Trent’s musical improv workshop, and play our Sunday night show.

Two shows, two workshops, three dudes, a boatload of awesome Brussels folks – and throw in a field trip to a Christmas panto on the Friday evening – and you’ve got the making of a great weekend.

Brussels Backstory
I’ve been working with improvisers in Brussels for some years now, coming into town a couple times a year and doing shows and workshops, and partly because of that, and partly independently of anything to do with me, the scene there is growing quite rapidly. But one thing that’s not happening there so much is musical improv. There’s a very good reason I haven’t been teaching musical improv: I’m a world-class bad singer. Like pretty damn bad. Although, on a really good day, when I hit a lucky streak, I can nail about 60% of the notes in a couple of bars.

On a bad (read: regular) day, I’ll be nowhere near anything like a melody and my pitch will be off. I’m not even sure I’m using those terms properly.

So that’s a perfect excuse to bring out a couple of the nicest most musically talented improv folks I know, and while we’re at it, debut a new two-man longform show. It also happens to be Sinterklaas weekend, and this weekend of good times is what Sint got me.

By Liesbeth Smit|2017-09-14T08:43:42+00:00December 3 2013|

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

Imaan, 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

“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

“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

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

Natasha, 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

“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

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

Samora, Amsterdam

“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

“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

“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 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

“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 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 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

“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

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

Derek, 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,

“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

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

Marton, Budapest

“Absolutely brilliant! Exceptional work!”

Anonymous, Impro Hotel

“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 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

“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

Milly Can Rap and more in Brussels

How was working with Ryan?

Contact Ryan Millar

Milly Can Rap and more in Brussels

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How was working with Ryan?

Contact Ryan Millar