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.
*See her full feature on the ‘Actors’ page.
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.