Brian James O'Connell teaches you the skills you need to find your "position" in the scene and then play it to the hilt. 

Position Play was invented by Miles Stroth (Del Close's "Warchief", Founder, Owner & Operator of The Pack Theater in Los Angeles) as a way to understand and execute the "scene dynamics" of the Four Basic Scene Types: Logical/Absurd, Character Driven, Alternate Reality and Realistic. If you are able to understand the few tools & techniques needed to play these individual scenes, every other choice you make on stage will be from a place of renewed confidence and successful fun! 

Topics include: "Thing. Concept. Idea.", "The Five Scenes Everyone Tells You NOT To Do But Darn It They Come Up On Stage Anyway", "Playing Archetypes", "Mapping Characters" and many, many more. 

This workshop is dedicated to giving the student “practical applications of improv” and providing replicable good habits/behavior on stage. The goal is to be able to take this workshop during the day and be able to execute the practice immediately on stage that night!

Brian James O’Connell is a working actor, writer, director, filmmaker and teacher in Los Angeles. After selling his feature film debut as a writer/director, KILLER VIEW (the only film shot on disposable video), he followed it up by directing the 35mm Southern indie comedy ANGRY WHITE MAN starring Matt Berry, Scoot McNairy, Steve Agee and Mary Birdsong.

BOC (as his friends call him) is part of the improv powerhouse & comedy collective Dr. God, who delivered their first feature film project BLOODSUCKING BASTARDS in 2015, starring Fran Kranz, Pedro Pascal, Joey Kern, Joel Murray, and Emma Fitzpatrick, which O’Connell directed as well as co-writing the script with Dr. God. The film was the Opening Night Premiere at Slamdance in 2015 and is available now on Amazon Prime after its 15 city theatrical run along with a two year run on Showtime.

Seasons 1 & 2 of Dr. God's new animated series HELL DEN is currently available on SYFY Channel where they serve as the Creator, Executive Producers, Producers, Directors and Writers. (He voices GIANTIC, a frost giant represented only as a large bare foot.)

With multiple projects in development, BOC is currently pitching his pilot THE ANARCHIST COOKBOOK (based on the book of the same name) under Executive Producer Emmet McDermott (60 Second Docs, Netflix’s WHITE HOT: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch).

Brian travels the world teaching his expertise in The Deconstruction as part of his ALL IMPROV courses and as a founding board member of Camp Improv Utopia. A main stage performer, beloved bar manager, coach & teacher until the very end at iOWest (RIP), O’Connell is also proud to be a Co-Founder of The Pack Theater, LA Weekly’s BEST OF LA Pick for “Best Theater Company” two years in a row, a founding board member of Camp Improv Utopia and recently celebrated his one year anniversary joining the board of Baltimore’s Highwire Improv.

This workshop is intended for all levels!



About the Swear Jar Jamboree
The Swear Jar Jamboree is Philadelphia's indie comedy + improv playground, four days at The Proscenium Theatre at the Drake (with additional workshop space at Plays & Players Theatre) running July 9–12, 2026.

We curate every show, act, workshop, and event ourselves and aim to bring together people from all over the US and across multiple comedy varieties. Throughout the festival you'll get main stage shows, community jams, and festival pass holders will get access to additional optional gatherings including an open mic.

Festival Passes & Bundles  (💸use with code JARNOLD20 for 20% off until June 1st)

Visit our Shows page for more information.

💙 The Proscenium Theatre is an accessible venue! 💙

SUPPORT THE FEST!
Become a Friend of Swear Jar! Choose any level as an add on at check out and get your name displayed on a special thank you display at the venue. These selections are completely optional when purchasing a ticket to the festival. Proceeds from Friends of Swear Jar go directly to keeping the festival running.

Name-a-Chair to Support Jamboree! 🪑💬 For $20, you can leave a message on an actual chair in the theater. Name it. Dedicate it. Write an ad for your podcast on it! Want to leave a compliment or share a fun fact? The possibilities are endless and entirely ridiculous, which is exactly the point. All Name-A-Chair proceeds go directly to keeping the festival running. Let us know if we're able to share your chair on our social media!

Looking to Support Jamboree in Other Ways? Also check out our page on FracturedAtlas for more ways to give to the show. Want to get involved with the show? Go here to sign up as a Jamboree Volunteer.