Dr Adrian O'Connell

Overview

Dr Adrian M. O’Connell is a Live Performance Technician and Lecturer in Drama at Ulster University, specialising in Performance Technologies and Contemporary Performance practice. He graduated from Ulster in 2008 with a First Class Honours degree in Drama and went on to complete his PhD in Co-Creative Media and Community Engagement.

Adrian has worked professionally across Television, Film, and Theatre, developing extensive expertise in Live Performance Technologies. His creative practice includes Producing and Directing a broad range of Performance projects, from in-house productions to collaborations with external regional and international partners. He has Produced, Directed and Designed work with a particular focus on Site-Specific performance, Documentary Theatre, Digital Storytelling and Mixed Media Practice to expand the possibilities of theatrical expression.

His practice often engages with contributors from local and international communities, telling stories that ignite conversation and challenge perceptions around sensitive and complex themes, including The Troubles and most recently, the Impact of War on Refugees in Europe. Through this work, Adrian continues to explore how performance can foster dialogue, community engagement, social change and personal development for contributors, participants and audiences alike.