Overboard Mark 2: hot, hot, hip hop

You might know that I like the hip hop music. You might even know that I have a hip hop career, even. I present:

EXHIBIT A

When I worked at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, I co-developed and presented a mind-bending lesson about metamorphosis. It included: a rip in the space-time continuum, the ability to listen to the thoughts of a tadpole, and a tadpole who is repeatedly suprised by his development into a frog, and not a fish.

It culminated with Jason Nodder in frog suit and myself (in scientician outfit) rocking an accapella rap track complete with a call-and-response for children and parents.

Sample line: “I thought I was a fish, but that was a mistake/ I’ve always been a frog, I just had to wait.”

It was wicked hot, and if I do say so myself, took educational programming at that venerable institution light years into the future. Or at least the present.

EXHIBIT B

This was followed up with a successful hip-hop history lesson at the Vancouver Art Gallery. I spent my summer rocking a track I worte about the socio-economic causes of the rise of Nazism in Germany post-WWI. This factual was kicked inside the gallery space during an exhibition on art from that period. Huge shouts to the amazing DJ Splice, who made the fresh, fresh beat.

Sample line: “The Weimar Republic was Germany’s first democracy/ a noble attempt but it wasn’t done properly.”

The seeming disjunction of rap music in staid art institution actually went over quite well. Lots of positive feedback.

EXHIBIT C

I recorded an extremely rare and fresh rap album with brilliant improvisers Dave Morris and Ryan Beil as hiphop supergroup See Spot Rhyme. The album was called Ready, Set, Rap. We rocked quite a few live shows as well.

An imperfect, but enjoyable piece of awesomeness.

EXHIBIT D

I’m on my way to Amsterdam this weekend to lay down some rhymes with Shortcut Kid and Ginger Fury. We are Overboard, your next favorite rap group. We will be joined in the studio by awesome person/former member of the legendary KAT Krew J. Trigga.

We hope to have some tracks ‘in the can’ in the very near future.

By Liesbeth Smit|2017-09-14T08:44:09+00:00October 10 2008|

“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

“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

“Absolutely brilliant! Exceptional work!”

Anonymous, Impro Hotel

“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

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

Imaan, Amsterdam

“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

“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

“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

“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 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

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

Derek, 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 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’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 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

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

Natasha, 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’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’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 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 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

Overboard Mark 2: hot, hot, hip hop

How was working with Ryan?

Contact Ryan Millar

Overboard Mark 2: hot, hot, hip hop

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