Context:

Emmet Smith stars as Albus Potter in the national tour of 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,' currently performing at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles. The play, set nineteen years after the final Harry Potter novel, explores a new journey sparked by Albus's friendship with Draco Malfoy's son, which holds the potential to alter the past and future. Emmet, before his current role, appeared in television series like 'New Amsterdam' and 'Law & Order,' and has a background in Off-Broadway productions. He is not only an accomplished actor but also an award-winning writer and composer, with notable performances of his work involving famous names like Shoshana Bean and Andrew Lippa. Emmet's personal life includes a unique breakfast routine and living arrangements in both New York and Los Angeles, where he stays close to family and castmates, reflecting a community-oriented lifestyle.

Dive Deeper:

• Emmet Smith plays Albus Potter in 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,' a play touring nationally in the United States, with a current stint at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles. The storyline, set 19 years post the last book, revolves around Albus's unexpected friendship with Draco Malfoy's son, hinting at a transformative journey affecting time itself.

• Before taking on his current role, Emmet built his acting credentials with guest appearances on popular TV shows such as 'New Amsterdam,' 'Law & Order,' and 'Blue Bloods,' and honed his stage skills in Off-Broadway productions like 'Philadelphia' and 'Soul Doctor.'

• His versatility extends beyond acting; Emmet is an award-winning writer, composer, and lyricist, with his works performed regionally and Off-Broadway. A significant moment in his career was a concert that featured performances by Shoshana Bean, Andrew Lippa, and the late Chita Rivera.

• Emmet's daily routine includes a consistent breakfast of oatmeal with various toppings and mushroom coffee, showcasing his commitment to a healthy lifestyle without processed sugars.

• He shares a close-knit living arrangement both in New York and Los Angeles, exemplified by staying near his family in NY and living with fellow cast members in LA, with their residence playfully named after a 'How To Train Your Dragon' character.

• Emmet’s family legacy in theater is significant, as his father is a Music Director who has played in many of the same theaters, and he follows his father's touring practices, using a fold-up bike and an Instant Pot.

• Apart from his professional endeavors, Emmet is directing a documentary on a composition from the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, which highlights his diverse artistic interests and commitment to meaningful projects.

• The stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is still playing in New York and London, but audiences around the U.S. are getting a chance to catch the magical show thanks to the national tour production.

• The tour is currently enjoying a lengthy run at Los Angeles’ Pantages Theatre and we caught up with star Emmet Smith, who plays Albus Potter, to learn more about him.

• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child takes place nineteen years after the events of the final novel in the J.K. Rowling series. When Harry Potter’s head-strong son Albus befriends the son of his fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy, it sparks an unbelievable new journey for them all—with the power to change the past and future forever.

• Before landing the lead role in Cursed Child, Emmet had guest roles on TV shows like New Amsterdam, Law & Order, and Blue Bloods. He also appeared in the Off-Broadway shows Philadelphia, Midsummer, and Soul Doctor.

• Learn more about him with these exclusive 10 Fun Facts!

• 1. I can lick my elbow!
  2. In the show, I have 19 quick changes under a minute: most of them are under 40 seconds, one 30 second and three under 10 seconds. Most also include one of 9 different wands I use. Shout out to my dresser Cheyenne for these stats.
  3. I eat the same thing for breakfast every single morning: oatmeal with cinnamon, banana, almonds, and yogurt, and my mushroom coffee with raw honey (no processed sugar for this guy!).
  4. My dad is a Music Director and has played almost all the same theaters we play! He taught me how to tour, and I travel the same fold-up bike and Instant Pot that he did.
  5. I’m an award-winning writer/composer/lyricist and my work has been performed Off-Broadway and regionally. Maybe coolest was a concert in which I had material sung and read by Shoshana Bean, Andrew Lippa, and the late Chita Rivera.
  Keep reading to find out more…

• 6. I’m directing a documentary about the survival of a composition from the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp.
  7. I went to the same high school as Lin-Manuel Miranda, Cynthia Nixon, Audre Lorde, and Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan.
  8. In college I lived with my a cappella group. It was only a little bit like Pitch Perfect.
  9. In New York I live across the street from my brother—if we both stand on our fire escapes we can wave to each other—and 5 blocks from my parents.
  10. Here in LA I live with Aidan Close, Julia Nightingale, Evan Maltby, and Erin Chupinsky from the cast. We call our house “Berk” (from How To Train Your Dragon) because Erin’s dog is named Toothless. Thanks for reading! @emmetsmithnyc
  Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is running at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood through June 22. Get tickets now!