Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson stepped away from her judicial robes to embrace the bright lights of Broadway in an unexpected career milestone.
According to USA TODAY, Justice Brown Jackson made her Broadway debut on Saturday night with a walk-on role in the musical comedy "& Juliet," fulfilling a long-held dream she had expressed years ago.
The groundbreaking justice, who made history as the first Black woman on the Supreme Court, participated in a one-night-only performance that explored an alternative storyline for Shakespeare's Juliet. Her appearance marked another significant first, as she became the first Supreme Court Justice to perform on Broadway.
Before her appointment to the nation's highest court, Brown Jackson harbored theatrical aspirations alongside her legal ambitions. Her journey to Broadway began during her college years at Harvard, where she took drama classes alongside future Hollywood star Matt Damon. The justice's theatrical background extended beyond casual interest, as she was actively involved in theater during her early education.
In a CBS Mornings interview that aired Monday, Brown Jackson explained her motivation for taking the stage. She emphasized the importance of showing the human side of Supreme Court justices, highlighting their diverse interests and dreams beyond their judicial duties.
In her recently published memoir "Lovely One," released in September, Brown Jackson revealed that she had explicitly mentioned this aspiration in her Harvard application essay. Her dream of combining a Supreme Court career with a Broadway appearance demonstrated remarkable foresight.
The justice's theatrical journey is extensively documented in her memoir, which details her upbringing in Miami and her path to the Supreme Court. Brown Jackson shared her early connection to theater, which later evolved into participation in speech and debate during high school.
Speaking about her Broadway appearance, Brown Jackson told CBS:
I just also think it's very important to remind people that justices are human beings, that we have dreams, and that we are public servants. I guess this moment reinforces for me that anything is possible.
Her memoir excerpt, included in the press release, reveals her early ambitions. The justice wrote about her dream of becoming the first Black female Supreme Court justice to appear on Broadway, demonstrating remarkable prescience in her youth.
Following the performance, Brown Jackson continued to interact with audience members, creating a unique connection between the judiciary and theater communities. Her appearance in "& Juliet," a modern musical that reimagines Shakespeare's classic tale, showcased her willingness to step outside traditional judicial boundaries.
The justice's Broadway debut comes two years after her historic confirmation to the Supreme Court in 2022, when she was nominated by President Joe Biden. Her appointment added a liberal voice to the conservative-majority court.
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's Broadway debut in "& Juliet" represented the culmination of a dream she had carried since her college days at Harvard. The one-night-only performance on Saturday allowed her to combine her love for theater with her distinguished legal career, marking a historic moment as the first Supreme Court Justice to appear on Broadway.
The justice's appearance in the musical comedy demonstrates her dedication to humanizing the role of Supreme Court justices while maintaining her commitment to public service. Following her performance, Brown Jackson engaged with the audience, creating a memorable evening that bridged the worlds of law and theater in an unprecedented way.
