Matthew McDowell

Matthew started his entertainment career as a child at 7, performing with the Toowoomba Choral Society for five years, in which he performed in the Wizard of Oz, and as Dopey in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. He also started to learn the piano at an early age, and went on to complete Grade 6 with the Australian Music Examinations Board. He has starred in musicals and theatre productions such as Brad in the Rocky Horror Picture Show, HMS Pinafore, Foreman of the Jury in Trial by Jury, Captain in the Little Mermaid, Weatherbee in the Wicked Wag and Wheel, Godfrey in the Valley People, Doctor Doghouse in "Carbon Footprint Cabaret" with Emerge Project, and the musical "Candide" Matthew spent six years as a clown entertaining the sick kids at the Royal Children's Hospital's Radio Rainbow. During his time at the hospital Matthew entertained a sick kid for weeks up until his passing away due to cancer. The patient's parents were grateful to him for making their son laugh up until his passing away. Matthew has been a professional entertainer his whole life. He has performed in over 1000 kids' parties performing to large crowds on the River Stage and South Bank Piazza, and performs in over 1000 corporate functions a year for QLD businesses and celebrations. His experience included MC work, Voice Overs and Radio. Matthew graduated from the Actors Conservatory in 2005 with an Advanced Diploma of Stage and Screen Acting and has appeared in several television commercials, training videos, and over 30 short films, including "Life" which went on to win the Qld New Filmmakers Award. Matthew is been an active member of the Media and Entertainment Alliance since 2001 and has supported the Arts industry by donating his performance skills to local university projects such as QUT, QCA, short films and commercials, Matthew has recently completed his Cert 4 in Film and TV acting at the Actors Workshop. Matthew has always offered his services over the years as an actor and singer for Charity events singing for the QLD cancer fund rally at St George Square in the city, and the Rotary Clubs annual Fundraising dinner as well as singing at the 2008 Relay for Life with the very talented Abbe Pennell from Dynamite Studios, he also performed for the Qld Accordion Orchestra for six years who raise funds for many charity organizations, Matthew is also a corporate singer and piano player and has performed in many award-winning restaurants, piano bars and other venues including the Chill on Queen, Shoestring Café, Connect 1 Café, Penny Farthing Restaurant, Dublin Docks, and Hope Island Tavern. He studied Song and Dance at the Caroline Gilby Dance Centre and is completing an Australian Music Examinations Board Grade 8 singing exam through experienced opera singer Glen Lorimer. He has appeared on the kids' TV show Hot Source (Channel 9) Australian Idol 2006 as Austin Powers, Brisbane Extra (Channel 9) Austar Channel as Steve Irwin. He has recently done a lot of screen performances on Channel 31's Comedy Skit Shows including "The Dating Game," "Real Estate Developers" and "The Real Deal" and was hired as a stand in for "Im a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here" with Granada Productions for the 2007 production. In 2007 Matthew was contracted by Showtime Attractions to perform to Birch Caroll and Coyle Cinemas all over Queensland and Movieworld on the Gold Coast as the show host "David Seville" for the launch of the new movie "Alvin and the Chipmunks." He has also hosted the show "Caramello Gets Moving" and Kung Fu Panda." In venues all over Brisbane This year Matthew has been touring the state as the lead character "30 Man" for the Queensland Government's find your 30 campaign, promoting 30 minutes of Health and Exercise to help keep fit and active, Matthews's effort in the entertainment industry has often gone unpaid and his effort has made an impact on the Queensland Arts industry for future generations.