Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman on the Supreme Court, made her Broadway debut this past weekend. She appeared in a special one-night-only performance of & Juliet. The production took place on Saturday, December 14, at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.
A Dream Fulfilled
Seeing a Supreme Court Justice on a Broadway stage wasn’t on our 2024 bingo card. But for Justice Jackson, it’s been a lifelong dream. Ketanji Brown Jackson, appointed by President Joe Biden in 2022, has long been a lover of theater. In her memoir Lovely One (September), Jackson shared her ambitious Harvard application essay:
I, a Miami girl from a modest background with an unabashed love of theatre, dreamed of one day ascending to the highest court in the land—and I had said so in one of my supplemental application essays. I expressed that I wished to attend Harvard as I believed it might help me ‘to fulfill my fantasy of becoming the first Black, female Supreme Court justice to appear on a Broadway stage.
With her walk-on role as Queen Mab, Jackson brought that fantasy to life. The two scenes, written just for her, celebrated her love for the arts and showcased her natural stage presence.
Justice Jackson Takes the Broadway Stage as Queen Mab
& Juliet reimagines Romeo & Juliet by asking, What if Juliet hadn’t died? Instead of tragedy, the musical follows her path to independence and self-discovery. Justice Jackson played Queen Mab, a fairy from Shakespeare’s works. Her performance was both playful and profound, perfectly capturing the spirit of the production.
“Extraordinary” Moments
In an interview post-show with Gayle King on CBS Mornings, Jackson reflected on this milestone:
Five years ago, I was a district court justice; nobody knew who I was. To have both of the pieces of my fondest dreams come true in this little bit of time has been extraordinary for me.
Jackson’s journey from law to the Broadway stage reflects her belief in blending passion with purpose. In a recent interview with the Harvard Business Review, she shared that her love for the arts was strong. However, her desire to make an impact through the legal profession ultimately guided her career:
As much as I loved the arts, I always really wanted to do work that I thought would have a direct impact on society. I was also good at writing. So I saw the legal profession as a way to combine my skills, interests, and desire to make a difference.
A Life of Balance and Legacy
Ketanji Brown Jackson, whose first name means “lovely one” in an African dialect, continues to inspire with her balanced life. Sworn in as Supreme Court Justice in 2022, she was joined by her husband, Dr. Patrick Jackson, and their two daughters.
Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Broadway debut isn’t just a celebration of her love for theater. It’s a powerful reminder that dreams—no matter how ambitious—can come true.
