Today we’d like to introduce you to Aisha Jackson.
Aisha, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Born and raised in Georgia! I grew up singing in church with my family, and, in doing so, a passion for performing was birth inside of me. During my sophomore year at Tri-Cities High School, I decided I wanted to pursue a career on Broadway, but first, I needed to gain more knowledge and training. So, I attended the University of Northern Colorado, where I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre. A few months after graduating, I bought a one-way ticket to New York City to pursue my dreams of performing on Broadway!! I had no money, no job, and nowhere to stay, but I was determined to succeed. I had an immense amount of faith that God would help me make my dreams a reality.
After pounding the pavement and working at a few regional theatres, I finally got the call that I would be making my Broadway debut as a swing in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. A swing is an offstage cover that understudies ensemble roles. I covered six different female ensemble members and would go on for them whenever they were out of the show. Since then, I’ve been in the Original Broadway Cast of Waitress, with music and lyrics by THE Sara Barielles, and Disney’s Frozen. During my time at Frozen, I was the standby for Anna and made history as the first African American woman to portray the role on Broadway. It is my desire to continue breaking down barriers in my industry about what roles women and people of color are capable of playing, and I hope to do just that in my fourth Broadway show opening up next fall!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This journey has definitely been a roller coaster full of rejection: anxiety, doubt, and grief. But every challenge is an opportunity for growth. I’ve had to deal with backlash for being a woman of color portraying the role of Anna in Frozen. In those times, I reminded myself of the young chocolate drops saying, “Mommy, she looks like me!” That young woman feeling seen and represented on stage is far more important than anyone’s ignorance and hate. I’ve had to learn to focus on the positive in every situation and switch my perspective to one of gratitude. Doing so has helped me keep my cool and allow my work to speak for itself.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I’m an actress on Broadway. My schedule consists of doing eight shows a week, Tuesday through Sunday with Mondays off. My most recent show was Frozen on Broadway, where I was the standby for the role of Anna. A standby is an offstage cover for a principal role. I am responsible to show up each day and be prepared to go on for Anna in case the actress who plays the role nightly is unable to make it to work. The first time I went on for the role of Anna was the day BEFORE our first understudy rehearsal. Meaning, I had to show up ready to go. I’m most proud of being flexible, prepared, and ready for whatever comes my way. Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready! My work ethic, talent, and ability to rise to the occasion set me apart from others.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
My faith in God has definitely carried me to where I am today. My relationship with God has influenced the way I treat others with love and grace in the workplace and beyond. God has opened up doors for me that seemed impossible for others. He is responsible for the gifts inside of me that have allowed me to achieve the success I have today.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @gifted2sing
- Twitter: @starringaisha
Image Credit:
Monroe G. Scott
Angela Pettigrew
KBarber Photography
Musical Theatre Factory
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