“We don’t make mistakes. Just happy little accidents.” – Bob Ross
Robin Williams was a real hero to me. His soul, incredible range as an actor, and stage presence cannot be topped.
Unfortunately, that soul was deeply damaged and broken. Even four years later, his death still affects me.
More than his Oscar, more than Mork from Ork, and more than his brilliant standup specials, I believe Robin’s greatest genius was in his skills as an improviser.
It was maybe 14 years ago when he appeared on Inside the Actor’s Studio. During the interview, Williams looked down in the front row of the audience and saw something that caused his eyes to bug out of his head. Robin spotted an attractive young woman sitting in the front row. But it wasn’t the woman who caught his attention.
When I stay in my head, it does nobody any good. I overthink everything. And stay still and stagnant. This got me out of my head. I went with my gut. And I learned that I really am good at this!
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It was what she was wearing.
Robin went into a close to ten-minute improvisational bit where he used this woman’s simple pink knit scarf as a prop. And I don’t know if I have laughed as hard in my life.
It was unfiltered brilliance.
A couple of my life coaching colleagues are regulars in improv acting classes. They’re regulars in the NYC and Chicago improv scene.
I want to share about an experience I recently had. An experience I will be having again.
I recently completed a six-week improv acting workshop at Class Act Studios in White Plains, New York.
I really had no idea what to expect when I walked in the door on day one. But by the end of day one I had one major thought…
“Holy crap! I’m pretty good at this!”
I’m no Robin Williams…but I’m Ryan Hall…
I was a little late getting to the studio on day one. And when I walked in, I was greeted by a pretty small class. I think there were six other people in my class on weekend one. I was one of two men in the room.
Honestly, I was surprised that most the participants were so young. And this was in week one!
We were immediately put at ease by class teacher and studio owner Lynne Tannen. Her effortless demeanor and joy for her work was contagious.
During the class, we played a game that became a real favorite of mine. It’s called “Hitchhiker.”
In this game, three participants were seated and acted as if they were headed in a car somewhere.
And one of the other students comes to the car playing a particular characteristic. All others in this car picked up that characteristic and ran with it.
This was the Hitchhiker.
Y’all, I hadn’t had that much fun since I was a kid!
Over the course of the next few weeks, I met and befriended some amazing ladies. I got to be creative and totally let my guard down.
The guy from week one left the class. I think he booked a part on something. Talented cat – wish I got to know him a little bit better.
During the workshop, I had one of the most surreal moments of my life. Our class acted out a couple scenes from a script I wrote long ago. To hear my words and dialogue being read and acted by some talented people just made my heart smile in a way it hasn’t smiled in a long time.
Another favorite game we played was where we acted out scenes as normal. During the scene, we picked an animal out of a hat and acted the scene using that animal’s characteristics.
We did that one a few times. Twice I was a kitten. I was the biggest mammal in the room and I was a kitten.
Now, the most fun I had was when I was a snake! We were reading a scene from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and I was slithering on the ground like a snake. I was also in the zoo with a giraffe.
And a sloth… I think.
Honestly, I had a blast being a snake. And it wore me slap out!
I’m a big snake, what can I say?
“Wore you slap out? Ryan, your Alabama is showing…”
I met some incredibly talented people in that room. I met someone who wants to collaborate with me on a possible bit for an open mic night.
And you should’ve seen our take on Abbott and Costello!
Two of the girls in the room were still in high school. One of them was the very embodiment of a human windup Gumby doll.
Seriously, she was exhausting!
She always entered the room with a kick! She’s gonna break someone’s nose one day with that…and she better not change!
She’s a riot!
Most of all, the workshop taught me a pretty cool lesson about myself.
I’m a big fan of my intellect. My intellect gave me the talent to write these words.
I’m a very bright guy.
During the workshop, I had one of the most surreal moments of my life. Our class acted out a couple scenes from a script I wrote long ago. To hear my words and dialogue being read and acted by some talented people just made my heart smile in a way it hasn’t smiled in a long time.
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But when I stay in my head, it does nobody any good. I overthink everything. And stay still and stagnant.
This got me out of my head. I went with my gut. And I learned that I really am good at this!
In the words of Miles Davis: “Do not fear mistakes. There are none.”
Jazz, painting, improv – same difference.
This was not my first improv experience.
I took a brief class before my second year of college. It wasn’t nearly the experience this one was.
Granted, I did earn the “Robin Williams Award” for my take on the nursery rhyme Little Miss Muffet.
These six weeks were the most fun I’ve had in years! That class made me feel like a kid again!
I can safely say this; it’s not the last time you’ve seen King Ryan performing anywhere…
The bug bit me. And I’m so glad it did!
Photos by Vadim Fomenok, Rainier Ridao and Austin Pacheco on Unsplash