Aisha Jackson
From us: We’ve never met Aisha Jackson in person, we just admire her with all of our might. When we had a friend offer us her email address to see if she was interested in being on the blog, we couldn’t help ourselves. Since coming to NYC in 2013, she’s performed on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regionally. Her Broadway credits include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Waitress, and being the first woman of color to perform Anna in Frozen on Broadway. That princess look suits her. She was in rehearsals playing Snow White in Britney Spears’ new Chicago and Broadway bound musical Once Upon a One More Time when COVID-19 shut down the industry. You can understand why we might not think Aisha had time for our little blog.
But, as we came to learn, that’s not who Aisha is. She is gracious with a capital “G”. Her written word is infectiously inspiring, her heart is pure gold, and talent to send you through the rafters. When we imagine what the rebuilt world of theatre looks like, you imagine someone like Aisha leading the way. And we have proof:
She recently participated in #TheaterInColor’s IG video thread revealing her reality as a POC in Theatre, particularly in reference to experience as a standby for Anna in Frozen. And we know the challenge must have been real, because we naively perpetuated that reality. In our original form we sent Aisha pre-Coronavirus, we asked, “what it felt like to play a role she wouldn’t ‘traditionally’ have had the opportunity to play.”
Even though she had never met us, Aisha graciously omitted the question, answered every other question in breathtaking form, and wrote back explaining why that wording was offensive. That’s grace. In the “Moving Forward” section of her #TheaterInColor post, she challenged storytellers to cast BIPOC artists in the principal roles. Complicated, varied, and 3-Dimensional roles that they’re not only capable of, that they deserve. Above that, show the audience you know that they deserve them. Don’t give them the cover. Give them the role.
We hope you enjoy Aisha’s wisdom for The Obvious Path- both from the normal of old and the world we’re hoping to reimagine. We’re thrilled you get to experience something that has been so meaningful for us. And, just for the record, if The Obvious Path was a musical: We’re casting Aisha as the lead.
Aisha Jackson. Wow, What an honor it is to have you featured on our blog. Can you please introduce yourself to our readers?
Hey there! Thanks for having me! I’ve lived in New York for six years now, but I am originally from College Park, Georgia. I grew up singing and dancing with my family in church, and I have always had a passion for the arts. After graduating college in 2013, I moved to New York to pursue my dream of performing on Broadway! I had no money, no place to live, and no job lined up. What I did have was about five bags and a lot of faith!! Since moving here in 2013, I’ve done three Broadway shows and have been blessed to have a myriad of opportunities to do what I love. Truly grateful!!
You went to University of Northern Colorado. What brought you to school there? Positive or negative, how did UNC impact your career?
When I was a junior in high school, I participated in the main stage production of Hairspray at the International Thespian Festival in Nebraska. Since UNC was the hosting school that year, we rehearsed for weekends at a time on campus. When making my decision for college, I remembered my time at UNC being joyful and welcoming. So, I gave Colorado a try, and I loved it! I never fell in love with the snow though. It’s pretty to look at, but those treks across campus in the snow were no joke!
I think every college has positives and negatives. It’s definitely what you make it! I am grateful for the lessons I learned at UNC! I felt like I received a well balanced education, and I had my very first voice lesson. I grew tremendously during my years there, and I carry those lessons with me still today. I do believe all college curriculums could stand to be updated. There are countless career opportunities in this industry beyond the stage that aren’t offered as fields of study at most schools. I also believe we need more college professors of color and more teachers and/or guest artists that have worked in the industry.
What was the most important thing you learned your first few years out of school?
DO NOT COMPARE YOUR JOURNEY TO OTHERS! There are countless paths to achieving the dream of performing on Broadway. Comparing your path to someone else’s will not help you get there any quicker. We all have unique gifts that only we can bring to the table. I had to trust what I brought to the table and believe that my time to shine would come in due season.
How do you handle the pressure and rejection this business inevitably brings you?
WOOF! There is a ton of rejection involved in this industry. I think it’s important to have a strong love and passion for performing. Otherwise, you’ll fizzle out during the times of rejection. My remedy is remembering that I want to inspire others by utilizing the gifts God has placed inside of me. I can’t give up if I desire to see that become a reality. I also realized that not booking a job doesn’t mean I suck. Maybe they wanted someone taller or maybe I just wasn’t right for it. Who knows? At the end of the day, I’m still a great performer and my blessing will come when it’s supposed to. What is for me will not pass me by.
And now the question we ALL want to hear about. At the time of this interview, you are the stand by for Anna in Frozen on Broadway and are the first person of color to portray her. Can you talk us through this journey? Give us all the feelings!
That I am! Stepping into the role of Anna has been a whirlwind. As a standby, which is an offstage cover for a principal role, you don’t really rehearse on your feet until the week after the show officially opens. Swings and standbys report to rehearsal everyday but we are mostly on the sidelines taking copious notes. The main focus is on the cast that will be on every night.
I was told I would be going on for Anna the day BEFORE the first understudy rehearsal. YEP! Day BEFORE! Thankfully, I had done my homework and was as prepared as I could be. (Plus, we’d already done a full production of Frozen in Denver. I’d rehearsed the Denver version, but the Broadway version was a bit different.) I said prayer, took a deep breath, and trusted my instincts. With help from the dance captain, the ensemble, our wonderful wardrobe team, our magnificent stage management team, and GOD, I stepped onstage and made it happen. On March 28, 2018, I took my very first bow as a principal on Broadway!! I also became the first woman of color to portray Anna on Broadway. (There were already women of color playing the role in the parks.)
Anna has been such a wonderful role to play! She is goofy, unique, quirky, loving, speaks her mind, and is unapologetically herself. Anna and I are alike in many ways, but she’s taught me how to embrace my weirdness more and more! Playing the role of Anna also made me realize how important it is for young men and women of color to see themselves represented onstage. It’s been a pleasure to step into this role and show them that they too can play princesses and princes. My fondest memory from the first week I went on was a woman telling me she overheard a young African American girl in the audience say, “Mommy, she looks like me!” Hearing those words reminded me that it wasn’t about me; it was, and still is, about what God wants to do through me. I’m grateful for the chance to show these beautiful chocolate drops that their possibilities are limitless!!
How do you define success in this industry?
If I am doing what I love, I am succeeding. Whether it be on a Broadway stage, at an open mic night, or volunteering for career day, I am doing what I love. Success to me is being true to myself, showing up and doing the work, using my gifts to inspire and bring joy, standing up against inequality, and breaking down barriers! Success is what YOU make it!
Where are you on your mountain?
In the middle somewhere! I never really want to be at the top of my mountain because I feel like there is always more to learn, more to do! I do know I’d like to start a mentorship program for women of color. I am also dreaming of someone writing a show/role just for me. Maybe I’ll do it myself! Who knows?! I do know one thing though! My next Broadway show is happening in a few months! SUPER EXCITED!!
How has Coronavirus changed your perspective on the business and/or your life?
This pandemic has actually gifted me with time to connect more with God, my family, and friends. I carve out time daily to pray, worship, meditate, read my bible, and FaceTime my friends and family. Being stuck at home has forced me to find peace and joy in new ways, and it's given me time to develop ideas that I’ve put off. I have wanted to start my own mentorship program for quite some time. So, I’m using this time to connect with young artists and answer their questions about the industry. Broadway is currently shut down, but when it returns I want them to be prepared. I’ve also challenged myself to find more ways to be active in the fight against racism and prejudice that is still very much so alive in our country. And I have been extending grace to myself and to others. We must remember to be kind to ourselves during this strange time. I challenge myself daily to focus on what I DO have and switch my perspective to gratitude. It’s not always an easy shift to make, but it is very beneficial for my mental, spiritual, and emotional health.
RAPID FIRE:
Favorite Broadway show: It’s a tie between Aida and Memphis!
TV show you binge: How to Get Away with Murder, Grace and Frankie, Queen Sugar, Handmaid’s Tale
On your commute, I’m listening to ________: Jonathan McReynolds, Emily King, John Legend, Gregory Porter, Lianna Le Havas, Tiana Major9
Religious, Spiritual, or nah?: I have a beautiful relationship with God!
Former side hustles: Hosting at Jane Restaurant
One tip for auditioning?: Think of auditioning as an opportunity to do what you love!! Also keep an audition log. Write down who was in the room, what you wore, how you felt about it, what went amazingly well, and how you can improve next time.
Any bad audition stories?: Uh….I’ve had someone answer a phone call while I was singing for them…
Your first experience performing was _________ : Performing period? In church with my family. Performing in a musical? Once On This island in the sixth grade!
I get inspired when _________: I see young people get excited about the arts. It always reminds me that we have to pave the way for those coming up after us.
Nobody is talking about _______, but it’s so important because ___________: Police brutality against people of color, but it’s important because it’s inhumane, unacceptable, and could happen to any of us.
Job you didn’t expect to book: Standby for Anna because my first audition for Frozen was for Elsa!
Biggest beef with the business: Lack of representation and inclusivity on and off stage
Favorite thing about the business: Connecting with the audience after the show! The power that theatre has to change people and open their minds.
Social media handles?: Instagram: @gifted2sing Twitter: @starringaisha (My siblings made my twitter page for me…I should change that name soon)
Anything you’d like to promote?: Be on the lookout for my mentorship program. Challenging myself to start one this year for young women of color to connect with other women of color succeeding in their industry. I want to show them that they’re possibilities are limitless!
Photo Credits: Photo 6 and 7: Janie Willison