A conversation with celebrated actor Dorian Harewood (2025)

Nominated for Tony, Drama Desk, and Drama League Awards in the 2023-24 season for his leading role on Broadway in The Notebook, acclaimed stage, screen, and voice actor Dorian Harewood just received another special honor on Thursday, August 8, when Jennifer Heisey, Vice President and Chief Alumni Officer of his alma mater, The University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music, conferred upon him his undergraduate BFA degree in Musical Theatre at a diploma presentation and birthday celebration beginning at 3 pm, at NYC’s Bond 45 (located in the heart of the theater district, at 225 W. 46th Street).

A conversation with celebrated actor Dorian Harewood (1)

Attended by Harewood (a native of Dayton, Ohio, who just turned 74 on August 6), the cast and team from The Notebook, and CCM officials and alumni, the ceremony, organized and introduced by The Notebook producer and fellow CCM alum Kevin McCollum, recognized his status as an alumnus of the University, which he left prior to graduation in 1972, to pursue an offer of his first professional acting role. The Conservatory, a highly respected educational institution for the performing and media arts, with the oldest Musical Theatre program in the US, offers nearly 120 majors and a wide variety of pre-collegiate and post-graduate courses, and often ranks among the top represented colleges on Broadway.

A conversation with celebrated actor Dorian Harewood (2)

Following his enrollment at CCM, Harewood went on to appear, and to provide the voices, in more than 100 productions on the stage, TV, film, and video games over his decades-long career, portraying the major roles in the two most widely seen network and non-network mini-series in the history of television (Simon Haley, father of author Alex Haley, in Roots:The Next Generations; and 1936 Olympic champion Jesse Owens in The Jesse Owens Story), receiving an Emmy nomination (for Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream), and winning a Theatre World Award (for Don’t Call Back), an NAACP Image Award (I’ll Fly Away), and an NAACP Theatre Award (Crumbs from the Table of Joy), in addition to his recent Tony nomination.

A conversation with celebrated actor Dorian Harewood (3)

Harewood is also an accomplished singer, who has toured with the Four Tops, sung live on-stage with Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight, performed the national anthem at the 1994 Orange Bowl, has released two albums and three singles on Emeric Records,and can be heard on the original Broadway cast recording of The Notebook (an exclusive CD-signing event with singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson and members of the cast was held on Tuesday, August 13, at Barnes & Noble). And he was set to participate as a celebrity presenter in this year’s benefit dog and cat adoption event, Broadway Barks, in Shubert Alley on August 3, before the weather forced its cancellation.

A conversation with celebrated actor Dorian Harewood (4)

During his busy Broadway schedule with The Notebook and other special events, Dorian generously found time to discuss his career, to share his opinions about the show, and to let our readers get to know him a little better.

What do you find most rewarding about all the accolades you’ve received this year?

Dorian: The phenomenal impact the show has had on the audience. They are more moved than any theater audience I have ever witnessed.

Is there one quality you’d most like to be known for in your work?

Honesty.

What’s the greatest contribution theater can make to society?

To elevate and inspire.

What do you find most relatable about Older Noah, your character in The Notebook?

His dedication, his commitment, and his love for his wife.

A conversation with celebrated actor Dorian Harewood (5)

Is there a song you most enjoy on the original cast album?

That’s hard to say, because the music is so brilliant, and so beautifully woven throughout the story. But the one that I relate to most personally would be the opening number, “Time.”

What do you hope audiences take away from the show?

The power of love.

Do you have one all-time favorite role in your career to date?

Yes. Simon Alexander Haley, in Roots: The Next Generations.

What are you loving most about being back live on the NYC stage?

The unique challenges and rewards of live theater.

Which do you find more challenging – stage, screen, or voice acting?

Stage. Hands down.

A conversation with celebrated actor Dorian Harewood (6)

What do you do for fun when you’re not working?

If I’m with my family, anything and everything they want to do, I want to do. If I’m alone, I find the nearest pool hall and practice my favorite hobby.

Is there a dream role or show you’d like to perform in the future?

There are some very exciting projects that are being discussed!

Many thanks, Dorian, for taking the time to answer my questions; it was a pleasure to meet you.Congratulations on all your well-deserved commendations and belated wishes for a happy birthday and another great year ahead. I look forward to your new projects!

A conversation with celebrated actor Dorian Harewood (7)The Notebook plays through Sunday, December 15, 2024, at the Schoenfeld Theatre, 236 West 45th Street, NYC. For tickets (priced at $55-378, including fees), goonline.

A conversation with celebrated actor Dorian Harewood (2025)

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