Spilling Creative Juice

Last week I went to Amsterdam. I got to do a Heineken Late Night at Boom Chicago, see a Crumbs show and briefly say hi to interpid canadian longform improv touring duo Steve and Lee.

Awesome to get some improv into my life, if only for a weekend. And sadly, I was unable to participate in Steve’s workshop on Sunday. I would’ve loved to but cashflow is tight and I still hadn’t finished laying down vocals for my new hip hop album.

What?

Yeah.

In an alter ego I’m a rapper. Rapper me teamed up with soon-to-be Australian expat Shortcut Kid, and Dutchstralian expat Creaseless Ben to form Overboard.
Now at work on an e.p. called F.I.T.
That’s pretty awesome as far as I’m concerned.
Because I like yelling/rapping.

All in all, Amsterdam was a good good time. Visiting with some old friends and flicking sparks at more than one creative pursuit.

This week started with a rehearsal yesterday for Accidental Death of an Anarchist by Dario Fo. Get to Brussels late September for some solid English language political farce theatre. Featuring me. Really excited to be in on that project. I gotta good feeling. And alot of lines. Alot.

Scripted acting is the opposite of improv. Because with improv, (a) golden rule is ‘anything you say is correct.’ That is, whatever you say will be accepted by the other actors and built into the story. With regular theatre, only one thing you say is correct. So you better say it. Still we got plenty of rehearsal time left. And the process is fun.

As well I’ve been working on some stand-up and sketch comedy. Trying to follow up random jokes and offhand comments, massage them and see if they can’t grow up into bigger concepts.

Someone has told me I should channel my energy at one pursuit, and that seems like a good idea. A good idea. Not the good idea. For now I’m gonna keep throwing everything I got at everything I want to.

And then write a book.

Or make a movie.

Or paint a picture.

By Liesbeth Smit|2017-09-14T08:44:18+00:00June 18 2007|

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

Furio S., Berlin

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

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

Imaan, 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’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

“Absolutely brilliant! Exceptional work!”

Anonymous, Impro Hotel

“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 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

“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

“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

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

Derek, 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

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

Samora, 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 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

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

Larissa, Amsterdam,

“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 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 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

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

Marton, Budapest

“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

“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

Spilling Creative Juice

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Spilling Creative Juice

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How was working with Ryan?

Contact Ryan Millar