Backstage with Supreme Court docket Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson as she made her Broadway debut

Supreme Court docket Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson swapped her choose’s robes for a Broadway costume Saturday evening, stepping onto the stage for a one-time efficiency within the hit musical comedy “& Juliet.” The sold-out viewers was handled to a particular second as Jackson made her Broadway debut, impressing each her fellow performers and the gang.

In an unique interview with “CBS Mornings” co-host Gayle King after the present, Jackson mirrored on the expertise. “I believe that it implies that something is feasible,” she mentioned. “5 years in the past, I used to be a district court docket justice; no one knew who I used to be. To have each of the items of my fondest goals come true on this little little bit of time has been extraordinary for me.”

“I am overwhelmed with the enjoyment of this expertise. I am so grateful to the workers and crew of ‘& Juliet’ for serving to my dream come true. It was phenomenal,” Jackson added.

When King requested what was going by her thoughts earlier than stepping on stage, Jackson responded, “I used to be identical to, ‘Wow, that is actually gonna occur.’ And I used to be going by my traces.”

Childhood dream 

In her memoir “Beautiful One,” Jackson revealed her lifelong love for theater and shared her aspiration to grow to be the primary Supreme Court docket Justice to carry out on Broadway.

“I simply at all times cherished theater. And I felt very comfy on stage. You realize, I used to be at all times acting from after I was actually younger. It simply felt just like the theater folks have been my folks,” Jackson mentioned throughout an unique interview with “CBS Mornings” on the Civilian Resort in New York simply earlier than her first rehearsal.

“My greatest pal was a lady named Sunny Schleifer, and the 2 of us would make up skits and gown up and do all of these items. After I acquired into highschool, I did speech and debate. I had these two completely different loves, the legislation and theater,” she mentioned.

Jackson’s Broadway debut included two scenes written particularly for her in “& Juliet,” a musical that celebrates feminine empowerment and controlling one’s personal future. “It is a great message and clearly very enjoyable,” Jackson mentioned.

Earlier than stepping onto the Broadway stage, Jackson participated in desk reads, scene walkthroughs and vocal classes, making ready for the efficiency.

Reflecting on her early days as an aspiring actor, Jackson recalled a drama class at Harvard the place she acted alongside a classmate who would later grow to be well-known: Matt Damon. “We simply have been in a drama class collectively,” Jackson mentioned. “I memorized my traces, and I am able to go and it is over and the professor says, ‘Ketanji, you probably did such a very good job. Matt, we’ll speak.'”

She even debated between her two loves and which path she ought to pursue.

“I imply, there have been instances after I thought-about doing performing. I would at all times wished to be a lawyer, however I believed, ‘Nicely, perhaps I am fairly good at this,'” she mentioned.

Jackson mirrored on the expertise after her efficiency, “I believe the lesson is: do not hand over and do not be deterred, that you are able to do it. And once more, that something is feasible.”