Meet Rich Baker of Los Feliz

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

Hi Rich, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When the pandemic hit all the gigs I had on the calendar disappeared overnight. Rent was due in a couple of weeks, and for the first time since moving to L.A. in 2014, I was afraid I might have to leave the city I’d come to love.

Since 2007, I’d been teaching improv at schools and theaters like The Second City, ComedySportz, and the Westside Comedy Theater. I was confident in my abilities to teach…in person. But suddenly no one could meet in person. Would anyone actually want to take an improv class from their laptop?

Guess I was gonna find out. I made a flyer, put it out there on my socials, and waited.

To my surprise, the workshop filled up! I was shocked—and incredibly relieved. Maybe this unconventional idea could actually work.

The workshop itself was a total success! And afterward half the students asked when the next one would be. I was starting to get cautiously optimistic. Sure, maybe I could sell out a couple of workshops, but could I make a whole business out of this to sustain me through the pandemic?

I’m grateful to say yes! By the end of May 2020 I was teaching dozens of students on Zoom workshops nearly every day of the week. Not all improv teachers like teaching online. But I really do! I love my students, and I love the challenge of making the online experience just as fun and connected as in-person classes.

The pandemic eventually faded away, but the desire for online improv, fortunately, did not. For some, online improv is the only option—whether because of disability, geography, or life circumstances. For others, it’s simply better: no traffic, no parking, no commute. Best of all, I get to connect with students from all over the world without either of us booking a flight.

Five and a half years later we’re still going strong – and expanding! What started as a one-man operation called ‘Rich Baker Coaching’ has now grown into Dare to Fail Improv (www.daretofailimprov.com) with other talented teachers joining me as we grow this school together.

Improv is valuable for everyone, not just performers. It sharpens listening and communication, builds patience and creativity, and, most importantly, it’s fun! We laugh, we support each other, and we dare to fail together.

Looking back, those moments of panic in 2020 feel far away. What began as a liferaft to keep from drowning has become a ship and I’m very excited to see where it sails!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Two major points of struggle come to mind:

1. The Administration Part

While my teaching skills are sharper than ever, I am still learning how to best handle the ‘businessy’ parts of running a school. Marketing, for example, is always a challenge—how do I reach more potential students who would love online improv if they only knew it was an option?

I’m not naturally great at asking for money or keeping up with accounting, and I’ll admit I’ve lost money over the years because of it. Filling spreadsheets is definitely not my favorite task, but I’m slowly building better systems to help with all this. Like the school, I’m a work in progress.

2. Navigating student behavior.

I only teach adults, and I don’t want to censor anyone. But sometimes a student might explore themes that others find uncomfortable or inappropriate. It has unfortunately led to occasional awkward moments over the years. To address this, I now start every class by saying: “If a suggestion or a scene goes into unsafe territory, you always have the option to stop the scene or ask for a new suggestion.”

That one guideline has really helped. It empowers students to speak up rather than endure something that doesn’t feel right. The last thing I want is for anyone to feel unsafe in an improv class—because safety is what allows us to take risks, make mistakes, and learn.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m most proud of the thousands of students I’ve been fortunate enough to work with over my career—actors, corporate professionals, doctors, lawyers, prisoners, writers, hobbyists, therapists, curiosity seekers, and so many more. Being able to provide a safe and supportive space for people of all walks of life to learn and practice this life-changing artform means the absolute world to me.

In 2019, I published a book on the subject called Improv Made Easier that still sells all over the world six years later. It’s very cool to know that through writing I can reach people I might never have the chance to teach in person

Plenty of teachers can teach you games and techniques, but I focus on listening, being affected, and truly connecting with others. I believe improv should be fun, supportive, and transformative—not intimidating. Students often tell me they leave class not only laughing but also feeling more confident in their everyday lives.

At its core, improv is about learning to embrace uncertainty. That’s what makes it powerful. And that’s why I love teaching it.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
If you want to meet other improvisers, the best thing you can do is take classes from different teachers. Many schools—including mine—offer free first-time drop-ins, which makes it easy to check it out and connect with fellow students.

If you want to teach improv there are a couple of starting points:

1. Take a class on teaching improv. I teach a course like this a few times a year for Queen City Comedy online. It’s been awesome to work with new and budding teachers.

2. Teach a free class or offer to coach a team for free. Learn by doing. As long as you’re not charging for it, you can dare to fail and learn from any mistakes.

Contact Info:

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