The Magic of Determination: Serino ’24 Stars in Broadway’s ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’

Less than a year after graduating Emerson, Alex Serino is continuing his academic journey — this time at Hogwarts. Starting November 12, Serino ’24, will make his Broadway debut as Albus Severus Potter, Harry’s son, in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Serino said he tenaciously sought out the role of Albus. He first submitted a self-tape in the summer of 2022, then submitted again for the national tour last fall, and went through the call-back process in New York City. The casting team told Serino they’d keep him in mind for the future. At the end of July 2024, Serino received an invitation to Broadway call-backs for Albus, and landed the role. 

“I was so excited and grateful to be a part of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, because throughout the auditioning process, I really started to fall in love with the story and the creative team’s approach in the audition room,” Serino said. “I was just so happy to join what felt like—and still is—a strong family at HPCC.”

Serino worked on more than a dozen student and professional projects during his time at Emerson, but didn’t imagine himself on Broadway so soon after graduation. 

“I had been working hard over the past four years, auditioning and self-submitting for almost every project I thought I could fit into,” Serino said. “I stayed hungry and put in the work of auditioning and submitting myself.”

Serino noted numerous Performing Arts faculty members who made an impact on his acting journey: Professor Craig Mathers, Senior Artist-in-Residence Ted Hewlett, Assistant Professor Nicole Lewis, Senior Artist-in-Residence II and Associate Chair Amelia Broome, Senior Affiliated Faculty Joe Antoun, and Associate Professor Nathaniel Justiniano. 

“From his sophomore year in scene study through four semesters of BFA Acting studio, he was a thoroughly curious, supportive, and eager member of the ensemble,” Mathers said. “…and these traits — along with the considerable technique he gained here at Emerson — allowed him to collaborate and playfully deliver during his extensive audition process.”

The relationships with his BFA Acting Studio ’24 classmates, Serino said, were particularly influential. 

“Working with my scene partners in classes and productions truly prepared me, as there’s no better way to learn than by doing,” Serino said. “These are the professional relationships I hope to keep throughout my career. Emerson’s faculty and students made all the difference.”

Serino also recognized former Emerson Stage Artistic Director Annie Levy, Senior Stage and Production Manager-in-Residence Deb Acquavella, and the Stage and Production Management majors. 

“Their professionalism prepared me for a production of this level,” Serino said. “The rigor they brought to rehearsals and productions for Emerson Stage mirrored that of Broadway standards.”

Prior to the show’s opening, Serino said he is feeling excited to be part of a story that brings the nostalgic memories of childhood. 

“The show has come together beautifully,” Sernio said. “My castmates and I have poured our energy into creating this new version. Reading the books [while] young and attending midnight premieres of the films brought me so much joy, so now performing in this world brings back all of those feelings.”

For students seeking to break into the professional acting world, Serino emphasized respect and determination. 

“Be kind,” Serino said. “Relationships carry so much weight in this industry, so don’t miss out on a job just because you didn’t hold the elevator for someone. Above all, stay hungry and never stop auditioning. ”