Mr. Dothard made his professional debut at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis while participating in the company’s young-artist program in 2004, where he returned in 2005 as Marullo in Rigoletto. Previously he spent three summers at Brevard Music Center in North Carolina, performing major roles in American musical theater, including Jigger in Carousel, Curly in Oklahoma!, and Fred Graham in Kiss Me, Kate. In 2005 Dothard was an artist-in-residence at Tulsa Opera, while also performing with the Rome Symphony (Georgia).

While pursuing graduate studies at Indiana University, he was heard there in such leading roles as Marcello in La bohème, Ford in Falstaff alongside his teacher, world renowned baritone Timothy Noble, and Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia.

He has received honors and awards such as national winner in the Music Teachers National Association Collegiate Vocalist competition, Puccini, Rossini and Da Capo awards from the Orpheus Competition, and two-time Region Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.