Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out 202. Connor Ratliff: How and Why To Do Improv
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Feb 9, 2026 
Connor Ratliff, comedian and improviser behind Dead Eyes and The George Lucas Talk Show, shares stories from auditions and his journey into improv. He explores core improv tools like listening, clarity, and turning mistakes into gold. They discuss why people start improv, how it builds confidence, and memorable onstage moments.
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Getting Fired From Band Of Brothers
- Connor Ratliff recounts being cast in Band of Brothers then asked to re-audition and ultimately fired, which devastated him at the time.
- He later turned that experience into the podcast Dead Eyes to explore and process what happened.
A Decade Away From Acting
- After failing to get traction in New York, Connor stopped acting for about a decade and worked at Barnes & Noble while creating unseen projects.
- He eventually started improv classes at UCB at his parents' encouragement and re-discovered performance.
Make Listening Your Primary Skill
- Listen closely to your scene partners; active attention is the core skill of good improv.
- Develop your unique voice instead of imitating others so your improv stands out.