Theatre and Dance NI (TDNI) is delighted to share that former INVEST participant Liam McMullan has been named in The Stage 100, the annual list celebrating the most influential figures working across UK theatre and the performing arts.
Liam has been recognised alongside his colleague Iwan Lewis, Artistic Director and CEO of The Barn Theatre, where both have played a key role in building the organisation’s national profile as a fully unsubsidised regional producing house.
Liam previously took part in TDNI’s INVEST programme, our professional development and mentoring programme designed for artists, creative workers and those working professionally across theatre and dance in Northern Ireland.
Commenting on the announcement, Niamh Flanagan, Executive Director of Theatre and Dance NI, said:
“We are immensely proud to see Liam recognised in The Stage 100 as one of the most influential figures in UK theatre and the performing arts.
Liam’s achievement is a powerful demonstration of what becomes possible when creative workers and artists in Northern Ireland are supported to develop their talents and careers through support and mentoring such as that provided through Theatre & Dance NI’s successful INVEST programme.
Combined with his own drive, commitment to learning, and dedication to professional growth, Liam seized every opportunity and embraced every aspect of the INVEST programme with determination and good will.
Beyond his own success, he continues to share his learning generously with peers and actively champions and supports artists and work from NI.
Liam’s success is a significant and well‑deserved and a proud moment for us all.”
INVEST is supported by Belfast City Council’s Cultural Partnership Co-Delivery Programme, a strategic collaboration through which Belfast City Council and sector network bodies co‑deliver workplans that strengthen the city’s cultural ecosystem and align with A City Imagining, Belfast’s Cultural Strategy.
Reflecting on his achievement and the impact of the INVEST programme, Liam commented:
“Being named in The Stage 100 is a real honour. Programmes like TDNI’s INVEST came at a crucial moment in my career and played a huge role in shaping how I work as a producer and leader today. I’m incredibly proud of what Iwan and the team at The Barn Theatre have built, and grateful to the mentors, collaborators and organisations in Northern Ireland who continue to back artists for the long term. This recognition feels very much shared.”
The TDNI team also extend our warm congratulations to our colleague Jimmy Fay at the Lyric, to The Barn, and to Liam’s colleague Iwan.
TDNI is principally supported by Arts Council of NI. Between 2022-25 INVEST was also supported by the Garrick Trust and Foyle Foundation.