Dynamic Characters & Thrilling Relationships
Building the Beating Heart of Your Scenes
Characters aren’t just quirks—they’re people with needs, flaws, and desires. In this class, you’ll explore how to create characters with emotional depth, point of view, and specificity. We’ll practice making bold, human choices that lead to unexpected and electric relationships. Come ready to stretch your emotional range, sharpen your instincts, and forge the kind of connections that audiences (and scene partners) remember.
Dan O’Connor is the founder of Impro Theatre, a Los Angeles-based company acclaimed for creating full-length, unscripted plays in the style of literary giants like Shakespeare, Austen, and Chekhov. Under his artistic direction, Impro has performed at prestigious venues such as Pasadena Playhouse, A Noise Within, the Wallis Annenberg Center, and internationally from Auckland to Dubai.
With over 30 years of experience, Dan leads workshops that range from focused skill-building to exploring full theatrical forms. His teaching combines classical training from London’s Webber Douglas Academy with decades of collaboration with improv legend Keith Johnstone. He helps improvisers become stronger actors—and actors more confident improvisers—through practical, on-your-feet learning.
On television, Dan directed the acclaimed ABC hybrid sitcom Sons and Daughters, Campus Ladies (Oxygen), and co-created World Cup Comedy (NBC/PAX). He also consults for Disney and DreamWorks Animation, contributing to the development of storytelling tools for major animated features.
He is co-author, with psychiatrist Dr. Jeff Katzman, of Life UnScripted and Ensemble!, books on using improvisation to foster connection, confidence, and joy in everyday life.
www.danoconnor.net
