Noma Dumezweni Talks About Broadway and Her “Cursed Child” Experience

Noma Dumezweni has wowed audiences on both sides of the Atlantic with her performance as Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. As the originator of the role in the West End and Broadway productions, she’s earned an Olivier Award, a Theatre World Award, and multiple other award nominations. Recently, Dumezweni spoke about her feelings about playing Hermione, joining the Broadway community, and more in an interview with The Root.

Dumezweni has certainly integrated herself well into the world of Broadway, taking part in events like Broadway Barks with some fellow actors. She said that she’s gotten to know actors from different shows and that “the Broadway community is a really beautiful thing.”

To Dumezweni, Cursed Child is also “a thing of beauty” and its Tony Awards are “thoroughly deserved.” Cursed Child took home six awards at this year’s Tonys, including Best Play. She did describe the whole Tony experience as “quite intimidating” initially, but it’s clear that she ended up having a great time.

When asked about her preparation for Cursed Child, Dumezweni said that she took inspiration only from the Harry Potter books and the show’s script. She separates her portrayal of Hermione from Emma Watson’s in the Harry Potter movies.

Emma brought herself to Hermione as a girl and young woman; I get to play the mother and working woman. The story allows me to bring it back to myself, my version, in a totally different form of storytelling. So creating her is about feeling honest when playing her, and as a mother, I do.

And as for her feelings on the Potter books, Dumezweni said that she is “in awe of them” but “would never call [herself] a ‘Potterhead.'” Despite that, she’s definitely dedicated herself to her character and the story.

In the past, Dumezweni has talked about how meaningful and wonderful it is for her to make it to Broadway. Above all, she continues to remain thankful for the entire Cursed Child experience.

I am grateful for the kindness a lot of people have shown. My world expectations have been shifted by doing this amazing job! The horizons seem clear to make things happen. It’s been, and still is, an adventure. […] Playing Hermione Jean Granger has shifted my life. I’m in ‘that play’… and I’m beyond grateful.

You can read the full interview with Dumezweni here.