Take it Easy: And More Tips for the Dedicated Improviser

by Mr Ryan Millar

Do richer improv scenes, get more laughs, and have more fun - all by doing less, and just being more. In this fresh and personal collection of themed essays, longtime Canadian improviser Ryan Millar offers observations, insights and tips to help players get a different perspective on their craft. The stories, ideas, insights, and exercises it contains are there to both be an entertaining read and help the reader be a better more fulfilled player onstage and off. It also includes games and exercises for people to do on their own or to bring to their group, in order to spread that TAKE IT EASY goodness. Essay titles 'Easy Listening', 'The problem with Yes, and' 'Changing the game', 'Balancing the commercial and artistic', and 'Literal Shmiteral'. This book will show you how to get more out of your improv, make bigger contributions, all while doing less and having more fun. Sounds good right? It is. " The relaxed friendly tone makes it an enjoyable read. " – Will Hines, UCB LA " Highly recommended for the beginning improvisor or the seasoned pro trying to rediscover the fun. " – Sam Super, The Second City Training Center’s 2017 Teacher of the Year " TAKE IT EASY provides valuable tips and advice for those who seek a greater flow in their improvisations. " – Feña Ortalli, Status Magazine

140 pages, Paperback

Published April 24, 2018

Reviews

[Joe Lemmo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! I’ve been performing and teaching improv for over a decade now and this book was just what I needed to add to my library. Millar captures the essence of improv through witty anecdotes and simple, yet powerful suggestions on how to relax and enjoy yourself while performing. All improvisers need to add this book to their collection!

[Timo · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are plenty of improv books out there that teach a specific approach or technique and while this one too has a section for games (many of which I have already used in my classes) I feel it goes more into the improv philosophy section, going over the big questions that all improvisers will have at some point.
Should improv be about hard work and set of rules/patterns/structures?
Or instead, should it be discovering what is already there that you might have missed?
Can you have both?
Where is the balance?
Should we put effort into being interesting/funny/entertaining or should we just let it happen?
etc.
These and many other nice themes to meditate about...

[Conrad Toft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah. So many admissions to make. First of all, this has been sitting in my desk waiting for the right moment for a very long time. Secondly, I’ve worked with Ryan and taken his workshops, so I guess I’m already a little biased. Having said that, I’m normally super-critical!
For me the most enjoyable thing about the book is its honesty and humility. Ryan tells it how it is about improv without preaching or saying that he’s right and everyone else is wrong. He allows the reader to take improv where they find it and not to take themselves too seriously, the way he doesn’t take himself too seriously.
There are some great tips in the book and, although most of the exercises in the back were already familiar, there are a few I haven’t tried that I’ll test out in workshops (starting tomorrow!).
Great for someone getting to grips with a passion for improv and trying to work out where to take it from there. The answer is “Take it easy” (TM!).