Jordan Dobson

From Broad Street to Broadway: Jordan Dobson

School/College: School of Theater, Film and Media Arts
Degree: BA, theater, 2018
Hometown: Pennsauken, New Jersey
Current Job Title: Professional actor
Current Employer: Broadway/Hollywood

While acting on the set of Oscar-nominated film Maestro, an elderly man began acting strangely around Jordan Dobson, TFM ’18. It was only when Jordan saw the man’s piercing blue eyes that he realized it was actor Bradley Cooper, playing a practical joke in prosthetics as Leonard Bernstein. Cooper had personally offered Jordan a supporting role in the film, solidifying his rising status as a multitalented performer.

Tonight, tonight. Prior to his Hollywood debut, Jordan had a successful run on Broadway, getting his break less than a year after graduating from Temple when he was tapped to play Tony, the lead role in West Side Story at the Broadway Theatre. He subsequently got the nod in starring roles for A Beautiful Noise, Hadestown and Hair.

Jordan Dobson poses in front of Broadway sign.

As a high school senior in the New Jersey suburbs of Philly, Jordan was primarily an orchestral musician and was pursuing prestigious colleges for the discipline. But after seeing a “life-changing” performance of Parade at Philadelphia’s Arden Theatre in Old City, starring actor Kathryn Brunner, TFM ’16, Jordan changed tracks and successfully auditioned for Temple’s theater program.

Jordan credits Temple for helping to quickly develop his raw talent into theatrical success. The program’s faculty helped him refine his voice and dance while giving him advice on how to approach the profession, which he then implemented as he obtained roles at local theater companies such as Arden and Act II Playhouse in Ambler.

“Going to Temple was like having two educations. I would train during the day and then put it all into practice with professional actors at night, which I think was the biggest advantage I’ve had.”

—Jordan Dobson
Professional actor

Jordan Dobson walks across busy NYC streets.

Full-circle moment. Jordan has eyes on more Hollywood roles, and maybe even trying his hand at directing or leading a Broadway orchestra. But he says Philly and Temple will always be home. Jordan regularly mentors current Temple theater students and could be seen in a recent Philadelphia Theatre production of Night Side Songs in Center City.