Getting to Know Dorien Watson
Local student, gamer, history buff, roller-skater and actor Dorien Watson has made history! 13 year-old Dorien voiced a major role in Pixar’s first-ever long-form animated series in the show Win or Lose. This adorable series follows a host of characters and their unique experiences surrounding one shared event… the Pickles middle school softball team’s journey leading up to the big championship game. Based on his talents Dorien was hand-picked for the role of imaginative dreamer Ira, the little brother of Pickles ball player Taylor. Dorien has also landed a host of modeling gigs and even a role on the infamous Sesame Street. Along with being an amazing actor, Dorien is an overall amazing kid. Read on for our full interview with Dorien…
Cincinnati Family Magazine (CFM): So Dorien, when did you start acting?
Dorien Watson (DW): In 2020, I took some online classes with Young Actors of Atlanta and that really helped me start becoming an actor. But even before that, I had been modeling in some magazines for hotels, Huffy Bikes and a Halloween Magazine.
CFM: Do you remember your first acting gig, like the first official role, where you were like, “Okay, this is it”?
DW: It was a short film some Xavier students made called Brothers. It was the older brother and the younger brother and it focused on brotherly love and stuff like that. That was my first role—as the younger brother.
CFM: Yes! I remember seeing that one on your IMDB page! You were so little! Now, when I was little, I loved watching Big Bird and all of those puppet friends. But you actually got to appear on Sesame Street!?
DW: That was so cool and so much fun. That was in 2022 or 2023 and I had auditioned earlier in the year around Christmas. When they called me, it was summer and I kind of forgot that I even had done the audition! But they called me back and said, “We want you for this” and that was pretty amazing. I got to go to New York, which is always fun! The set is like a whole actual street and Big Bird is really, really, tall. Like maybe the height of this classroom!
CFM: So when they say Big Bird, it is not an exaggeration!
DW: No, not at all! He was looming over me, even a couple feet away. All of the puppets are super cool and the voice actors move around on skateboards to get to their places.
CFM: So puppeteering, would that be something that you would be interested in?
DW: *laughs* Um, puppeteering. I don’t think that for me because I just feel like that is a lot to micromanage and then also control the puppet, too.
CFM: Your most recent role is Ira on Win or Lose. What was the experience like with voice acting on such a big show?
DW: The recording process was downtown locally in Cincinnati at a voice acting studio. I was sitting on a stool on a Zoom call with the casting directors and I would just say my lines into the microphone. The directors would sometimes give me feedback and we would re-record. The recording sessions were usually like three hours per session each.
CFM: I think your Australian accent was fabulous in the show. Super, super impressive.
DW: *laughs* It was terrible.
CFM: I think it was great! Would you ever want to visit Australia? Or is there another place you would like to travel?
DW: I think Australia would be cool. But then again, they have like 10,000 foot tarantulas and Kangaroos that’ll like eat you *laughs*.
CFM: *also laughs!* Yeah, and Koala bears aren’t even cuddly, right? They are actually kind of mean!?
DW: Yeah, what’s up with that? If there is another place I could go, I think it would either be the UK or Germany. I like Germany’s architecture since Cincinnati is so German-inspired. I think the culture is cool, too. And the UK, of course is amazing but the food isn’t great. They conquered most of the world and they couldn’t get those spices.
CFM: *laughs*. Maybe you could help bring them over some spices?
DW: Maybe! But I just love British humor, it’s some of the best.
CFM: Do you have a good British accent?
DW: Not so much, accents are not my strength. *laughs*
CFM: So, Ira is incredibly imaginative. Can you relate to being a dreamer like that, or is there another character on the show that you relate more to?
DW: I relate to Ira the most. I am a bit of a dreamer!
CFM: I found myself relating to a lot of the characters… some of the kids, and definitely a lot of the parents.
CFM: For those who haven’t seen Win or Lose, can you tell us a little bit about the show and why they should tune in?
DW: Win or Lose is great, no bias whatsoever. *laughs*. There are so many different perspectives and little details where all of the stories intertwine. In the show, everyone watching will find someone to relate to. Whether it is Ira, or Taylor or Rochelle or whoever, I just think the story lines are really relatable to where someone can say, “Yes! I do that!”.
CFM: Another thing I liked about the show is it takes one simple storyline and looks at it from all of the characters angles. And I think it is so important to realize that in any given instance of life, you never know what someone is going through. It has such a nice moral where a little bit of kindness and empathy go a long way.
DW: Definitely. Sometimes people need to take a second and look at things from a different point of view.
CFM: What would you say to a kid who is interested in getting into acting… what advice would you give them?
DW: Just give it a try! You might not be great at first, but you will get better and it may be something that really fits you. Find characters you can relate to and just try it. Just give it a shot. Persistence.
CFM: Besides being persistent in acting, what other activities do you enjoy?
DW: I’m a competitive person, so I like to challenge myself in school and other things too, like video games
CFM: What kind of games do you enjoy?
DW: I like Super Smash and also Counter Strike, too. I also love roller skating. That’s another one of my big passions. There’s a Black Music Hall of Fame downtown and I was in a music video for that! I was also in the Opening Day Parade three years in a row for the Flying Pig last year. One of the greatest roller skaters was down there: Dylan Morton! He has skated for Mariah Carey and he was in the Super Bowl skating for Usher.
CFM: Wow! Show out to Dylan! That is super cool.
DW: Yes! Shout out to him, he is very cool.
CFM SIDE THOUGHT: Dorien, himself, is very cool, I hope he knows that!
CFM: Looking forward what kind of roles are you looking to explore? Not puppeteering *laughs*, but maybe voice acting, comedy, drama, a musical?
DW: Definitely more voice acting. I think that is where I can shine the most. I also really like comedy and think I am a comedian person. I also think I could get into the world of drama, and that is something I would want to work on.
CFM: We know you will be awesome at whatever you set your mind to. Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us! We loved watching you in Win or Lose and we can’t wait to see where you pop up next!
DW: Thank you!
Discover more about the Pixar series Win or Lose by clicking here.
