Ketanji Brown Jackson is about to achieve another milestone in her life. The first Black woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court will make a special appearance in a Broadway show this Saturday. Jackson will take the stage in a walk-on role for the 8 p.m. ET performance of “& Juliet.” After the show, she will join the audience for a talkback session. The announcement was made via an Instagram post on Monday.
The show did not reveal specific details about Ketanji Brown Jackson’s role, but entertainment outlet Deadline reported that she will take on an ensemble part created specially for her.
In her memoir Lovely One, which was referenced in the show’s announcement, Jackson recalled writing in her Harvard University application essay that her dream was to be “the first Black, female Supreme Court justice to appear on a Broadway stage.” The show’s post encouraged, “Let’s make that teenage dream come true, Justice Jackson.”
In September, Ketanji Brown Jackson shared her passion for theater during a press tour for her memoir. While speaking with Gayle King, current anchor of CBS Mornings, at the Apollo Theater, Jackson sang a few lines from The Wiz, according to The Associated Press.
In another interview, Jackson recalled being a scene partner to future Academy Award winner Matt Damon while at Harvard. She remembered the scene going well for her, earning praise from her professor, while Damon’s performance was less impressive. “I was like, ‘Oh my god, I was better than Matt Damon in a scene,’” Jackson told CBS.
“& Juliet” is a modern twist on Romeo and Juliet, offering an alternate ending where Juliet survives. Described as a “super-poppy production” by The New York Times, the show features pop hits like Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time” and Katy Perry’s “Roar.”