Dan grew up in a small Midwestern town. He then went to a small Midwestern college, namely Illinois Wesleyan University. Following that he sought his fortune in various cities across the country, moving approximately two dozen times. Highlights include improvising stage management at the Annoyance Theater in Chicago, clubbing in early 90s New York, escaping West Hollywood, follow spotting showgirls in Las Vegas and, learning play writing and the Method at the Actors Studio Drama School at New School University. Most recently he obtained another theatre degree at University of Illinois. He has been called the most boring man in America by the most interesting man he knows.