The moment you step into the theatre, you’re instantly transported to the world of Broadway. Every line, every song, and every dance pulls you into a surreal moment when you realize you’ve accomplished your childhood dreams. After years of dedication, Aidan Close is currently on the stage as Scorpius Malfoy in Broadway’s “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.”
Close’s foundation in theatre amounts to his training in Shakespeare, which he pursued through a Wednesday after-school program he attended with his brother. It wasn’t until he moved that the world of theatre entered back into his life.
“I started doing Shakespeare at a very young age, too young to be advisable,” Close said. “I didn’t quite catch the bug [for performing] until I moved to Maine. As a shy kid, I needed a community and theatre found its way back into my life. Now I’m on Broadway.”
Subsequently, Close further pursued his career at Boston University, where he studied musical theatre and acting before making his Broadway debut.
In Sept. 2024, he performed in the first-ever national tour of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” as Scorpius Malfoy, the son of Draco Malfoy.
“The national tour was our first family,” Close said. “This show was so much about family and generations listening to each other.”
Portraying a character who is both complex and relatable challenges Close to convey a variety of emotions throughout the show.
“No matter how I feel about the show, or how nervous I am, I always wonder if I’m doing a good job,” Close said. “I’ve introduced [Scorpius], as this glorious person, and he’s a boy who has so much joy, humor and sadness in him. There’s no greater honor to me than playing this character that I think people find so relatable.”
Since making his Broadway debut in November 2025, Close looks back on the differences between performing on Broadway and on tour.
“I would say the biggest element that is different is Tom Felton. When we were on tour, we were traveling around bringing this story to people, and now, it’s like the world is coming to see us,” Close said.
Emmet Smith and Aidan Close (Photo by Madeline Ng)
While working alongside his co-star, Emmet Smith (Albus Potter), Close developed a supportive relationship built on camaraderie.
“Emmet and I are incredibly close,” Close said. “I trust Emmet. The things that blind me are the things that Emmett can see very clearly and vice versa. I feel so lucky that I trust someone with my sensitivity. You have to share your heart on and off stage. And if that’s not someone you trust, it can weigh on you. The fact that it doesn’t weigh on me at all is a testament to [Emmet].”
Aside from performing eight times a week on Broadway, one of Close’s favorite hobbies is the game Dungeons and Dragons.
“I love playing this game called Dungeons and Dragons, and it’s purely for research to understand the nerdiest nerdiness of Scorpius,” Close said. “I started a group [on Broadway], I started a group on tour, and I have a group I’m starting with my friends outside of work.”
Dungeons and Dragons is not just a game for Close, but a testament to his life.
“I think my imagination is my superpower, and no other game or thing in my life lets me just indulge in my imagination than that.”
