Joe Dowling Biography

Joe Dowling, Guthrie Theater Artistic Director, is widely known for his association with the Abbey Theatre, Ireland's national theater. He served as the Abbey Theatre's artistic director (1978-85), artistic director of Peacock Theatre, the Abbey's second stage (1973-76), and founded the Young Abbey, Ireland's first theater-in-education group (1970).

Mr. Dowling served as artistic director for the Irish Theatre Company, managing and artistic director of The Gaiety, and founded the Gaiety School of Acting, Ireland's premiere drama school. International directorial credits also include work for the Broadway stage as well as the Gate Theatre, Edinburgh Theatre Festival, Arena Stage, The Shakespeare Theater, NYSF, The Acting Company, A.R.T., Stratford Festival, Banff Centre, Centaur Theatre, Geffen Playhouse, Chichester Festival Theatre, and Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

Since coming to the Guthrie in 1995, he has directed numerous mainstage productions and initiated the Guthrie Theater's return to touring. Mr. Dowling's Guthrie directing credits include: The Cherry Orchard, Philadelphia, Here I Come!, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Blithe Spirit, The Playboy of the Western World, Much Ado About Nothing, The Importance of Being Earnest, Julius Caesar, The School for Scandal, Molly Sweeney, The Plough and the Stars, Twelfth Night, The Invention of Love, and, most recently, Amadeus. Mr. Dowling is a member of the Artistic Directorate of the Globe Theatre in London, and holds an Honorary Degree of Letters from the National University of Ireland.