Wilson McDowell: Creative Development

06/10/2026

What a weekend at the Dublin Theatre Festival! 🎭 Huge thanks to Theatre and Dance NI for the support that allowed me to attend and catch some truly phenomenal work as part of the Spotlight on Theatre and Dance from Northern Ireland programme.

I packed in three incredible shows:
Without Distinction of S*x at Draíocht – Conceived and directed by Veronica Coburn, exploring language, politics and womanhood through movement and sound. It felt personal, collaborative and truly connective.
A Moon for the Misbegotten at the Gaiety Theatre – Druid Theatre’s revival of Eugene O’Neill’s classic. The set was incredible. Eileen Walsh and Lorcan Cranitch delivered humour and poetic realism like powerhouses.
ZINC at the O'Reilly Theatre – A piece by Dead Centre and Théâtre de Liège. It was a fascinating exploration of identity and its meta-ness was intricate and delicate and the explanation of the multinational state of neutral-Moresnet through multiple langauges and architecture was brilliant.

Feeling incredibly inspired to bring this creative energy back to Belfast!

Supported by Theatre and Dance NI Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Culture Ireland

09/09/2026

Wee bit of good news to share: officially finished my certificate in teaching and managed to walk away with a distinction. Very happy to have completed it - looking forward to putting it to proper use. Onwards! Certificate photo for proof of adulting.

25/08/2026

Hey everyone! 👋 If anyone has ever thought about trying acting or wants to brush up on some performance skills, there is a brand-new 12-week Beginners Drama course starting in 2 weeks at the Crescent Arts Centre!
Here are the key details:
🎭 Course: Beginners Drama: A Performer's Toolkit
🗓 When: Tuesdays, 8 Sept – 1 Dec 2026 (19:30 – 21:30)
📍 Where: Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast
💷 Cost: £144 standard | £132 concession
👤 Tutor: Led by actor/theatremaker Wilson McDowell
It’s open to complete beginners and is all about building confidence, vocal work, movement, and having fun in a supportive space.
🎟 Book your spot here: https://crescentarts.org/courses/music-and-drama/drama/beginners-drama-a-performers-toolkit-aut26
Feel free to pass this on to anyone who might be interested! ✨

Explore creative courses at Crescent Arts Centre Belfast. Join painting, music, writing & more. Terms start regularly. Discover your new hobby or skill today!

17/08/2026

🚨 JUST GOT YOUR A-LEVEL RESULTS? OR READY TO TRAIN FOR THE SCREEN?

Whether you are weighing up your post-school options, or you are ready to turn your passion for acting into a career—there is still time to take your next step!

🎭 Foundation Degree in Screen Acting & Producing 📍 Belfast Met | E3 Studios

🎬 Practical training
🎥 Screen experience
🤝 Collaborative projects

👉 (Check out the photos below to see our incredibly talented students at their recent showcase at the iconic Lyric Theatre!)

🗓️ CLEARING EVENT: Come chat with us in person this Wednesday 19th from 10am - 1pm at the Titanic Quarter Campus!

Applications are open! Full entry requirements and course details can be found right here: 🔗
https://www.belfastmet.ac.uk/course/p01429-aa/foundation-degree-in-screen-acting-and-producing-validated-by-the-open-university?hl=en-GB

30/07/2026

A Performer's Toolkit: 3-Day Drama Summer Intensive at the Crescent Arts Centre
- perfect space to play, experiment, and get under the hood of your acting craft. Please share with anyone who would be interested:

The Details:
Dates: Wed 12 - Fri 14 August
Time: 12:00 - 17:00 daily
Cost: £90 | £75

If you have been thinking about it - jump in and bring this intensive to life!

Grab your spot here: https://crescentarts.org/courses/music-and-drama/drama/a-performers-toolkit-3day-drama-summer-intensive 🎟️

Explore creative courses at Crescent Arts Centre Belfast. Join painting, music, writing & more. Terms start regularly. Discover your new hobby or skill today!

30/07/2026

It has been absolutely lovely working at The Crescent Arts Centre for the past three terms!

🎭 Looking back at these photos reminds me of the incredible energy, talent, and fun our ensembles brought to the space. A massive thank you to everyone who has joined so far!

Keep an eye on my page later today! I’ll be dropping the details for our upcoming 3-Day Drama Summer Intensive 🎭

19/04/2026

29/03/2026

🩷 this was awesome

19/03/2026

⚡⚡Quick Fire Play announcement⚡⚡

Next up to join the ever growing Quick Fire team is Wilson McDowell.

Wilson McDowell is a Northern Irish actor, writer, director, and dramaturg. With a degree from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and previous training at The Lir Academy, Wilson has built a diverse career across the UK and Ireland. His performance work spans Shakespeare, slapstick comedy, theatre in education, psychological dramas while his writing utilizes dark humour to explore modern-day taboos. Recent creative highlights include Pan for Tinderbox’s Incubate Festival (2026), Q***r Restorative Storytelling at Stormont with Voicing the Void (2025) and associate director and dramaturg on Siúcra by Soso Ní Chealligh (2025).

Wilson is absolutely buzzing to join the Amadan Ensemble team and bring some Quick Fire Plays to The MAC!

For more details click here: https://themaclive.com/event/quick-fire-plays

13/03/2026

Work has begun on Quick Fire Plays and we are absolutely delighted to be collaborating with such a brilliant group of artists.

Over the next few days we’ll be revealing the full line-up of writers, performers and creatives involved. What we can promise already is that this will be a bold, unique and very special night of theatre, one you won’t want to miss.

Expect sharp ideas, fearless storytelling and plenty of surprises and laughs along the way.

With thanks to Belfast City Council and the brilliant Imagine. The Belfast Festival of Ideas & Politics
🎟 Full details:
https://themaclive.com/event/quick-fire-plays