Vincent Dowling is Lifetime Associate Director and former Artistic Director of Ireland's National Theatre- The Abbey Theatre, where he was a leading actor/ director for 23 years. Producing Director of The Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival in Cleveland; Honorary President for Life, Founder and first Artistic Director of MTC. He has produced, acted and directed in most of the great theatre capitals of the world. He has acted on film, TV and Radio, including Valley Free Radio in Northampton. He has doctorates in Fine Arts and Humane Letters from five major Educational Institutions. He appeared in three solo performances at The White House. Vincent won an “Emmy” for directing and producing The Playboy of the Western World on PBS. He discovered Tom Hanks and brought to the American Stage - Colm Meaney; David Kelly and Roma Downey. Vincent lectures at educational, religious, and political venues throughout America. His produced plays include The Upstart Crow, The Fit-Ups and adaptations of The Cherry Orchard; Lysistrata; and The Miraculous Revenge by Bernard Shaw. His autobiography- ASTRIDE THE MOON -- is on sale, the second book of his autobiography will be released in the Spring of 2006. He has been the Commencement Speaker at Kent State University. He is the holder of the 2005 Irish Government Ambassador Award, nominated by The Holyoke Saint Patrick's  Day Committee.