Biography
Dan is co-founder and Producing Artistic Director of Impro Theatre as well as a co-founder of Los Angeles Theatresports and BATS Improv in San Francisco. He is an actor, writer, director, producer and improviser. Television directing credits include the critically acclaimed ABC hybrid sit-com Sons and Daughters and Campus Ladies for the Oxygen Network. He was a writer and the improv director for The Wayne Brady Show. He co-created the NBC television improv comedy show World Cup Comedy, which ran for two seasons on PAX. Television acting credits include Seinfeld, VEGAS, Raising Hope, Campus Ladies, Malcolm In the Middle, The Tonight Show, The Newz, Life Game, Quick Witz, Law and Order LA, Little Britain USA and the Middle.
Theatre credits include the Improbable Theatre’s production of Keith Johnstone’s Life Game (Off-Broadway); work with the American Conservatory Theatre, A Noise Within, Shakespeare Santa Cruz and the Taper Too. He has been a guest director and instructor for the Austin Comedy Festival (Big Stinkin’) as well as the Out of Bounds festival, The Yes And Festival in New York, The Lighten Up Theatre Fest in Kansas City, the Calgary and Vancouver International Improvisation Festivals, MITICO in Milan, the Dubai Fringe and next month he travels to the MOMENT Festival in Vienna.
Dan has taught for playwriting and screenwriting programs UCSB and DUKE. He was an adjunct professor for USC ‘s BFA program and has also taught in the MBA Program for the University of Texas McCoombs School of Business. He has coached the Cirque du Soleil casts of Salitimbanco, O, KA, Corteo, Zumanity, and LOVE.
Dan lives in Los Angeles with his wife Edi Patterson and their cat Veruca.
More information: www.danoconnor.net
Testimonials
“Dan O'Connor has been a guest teacher for The Spontaneity Shop on a number of occasions. His master classes are insightful, accessible and enormous amounts of fun. He leaves all our students inspired, excited and wanting more.”
Deborah Frances-White Co-Author the Improv Handbook
"Every Australian improviser wishes Dan lived here. We love Dan's style, warmth, intellect and mischief. He directed and performed in our international festival - some of the best improv I've ever seen."
Russell Fletcher, founder Theatresports Melbourne, director Spontaneous Broadway Australia, director The Decent People
"Any class I take with Dan O'Connor feels like I'm taking a graduate course with the Master. He brings a depth of passion to his teaching that is nearly unequaled. I always know I'm going to learn far more than just rules and mechanics when I'm in his class
I'm going to learn about the soul of improv." -Valerie Kuhns
"You taught me nothing, except to inspire me to reach further into improvisation than I ever thought possible. That's a pretty big deal to me being a cynic of almost 40 years of improv work, thank you!"
Rick Hilton Original Loose Mooser and member of the very first Theatresports Team
Gallery
