Meet Rich Baker of Los Angeles / OC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rich Baker.

Hi Rich, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I got into improv for the same reason I got into acting, stand up, sketch comedy, directing, and writing – I love to entertain. Because opportunities came my way with improv more than the others, I spent more and more time honing my skills as a performer and teacher. Eventually that led to more teaching. In 2020, when we were all stuck at home I took a chance that people would wanna do improv at their computers. Even more so I was pretty sure I could make it quite fun.

Now over six years later I run the Dare to Fail Online Improv School. I’ve had over a thousand students since 2020. There are six other teachers on the roster besides just me. What began as an experiment has turned into a small but very real school.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’ve had students try out my online classes and then completely ghost. That’s part of it. I’ve had some students come thru and then tell me they didn’t like my style. That never feels good to hear. But I’ve grown to accept that nobody is for everybody, so I can’t take it too personally. As Seth Godin says, “If you’re for everybody, you’re really for nobody.” Some students who do enjoy my style seem to really love it. I’ve had a handful of students who’ve stuck with me the whole six and a half years and counting. I can’t quite say how grateful I am.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Sometimes people take my classes because they want to improve the way the perform on stage. I love that too. I still am a stage performer and likely always will be. But primarily I work with two groups: 1. Improv Performers, 2. Individual adults from all walks of life and 3. Professional teams. Improv performers obviously want to get better on stage, but the latter two groups want to reap benefits of improv which include but are not limited to: better listening, creativity, connection, laughter, and fun.

I’ve had students tell me improv has improved their relationships at home, at work, and with friends. I’ve had students tell me that the two hours they spend in my online class are the most fun they have all week. And that it always excites them to look forward to improv. Other students have told me it helps them solve novel problems at work, and help them work on creative hobbies like sketch writing and public speaking. I love how improv can help so many different kinds of people in so many powerful ways.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Super shy kid. I started to come out of my shell when I got into choir. I loved to sing. So, I conquered my crippling stage fright so I could perform. That led to participating in musicals and eventually non-musical theater. I loved acting. After high school I got into improv, stand up, sketch comedy, and playing in a band. After college I knew I wanted to spend my life entertaining people. It still shocks some from my hometown who remember me as that shy little wallflower who rarely ever said a word.

Pricing:

• First drop in is FREE

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.daretofailimprov.com
• Instagram: @daretofailimprov
• Facebook: @daretofailimprov
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DaretoFailImprov