(Photo: Emilio Madrid-Kuser)
Jelani Alladin made his Broadway debut this year in the eagerly anticipated musical, Frozen. He plays Kristoff, the ice-selling, reindeer-talking, argument-engaging man who ultimately becomes the object of Princess Anna’s affections. His performance is effortlessly endearing and incredibly athletic. Most audiences are charmed by the fullness of Alladin’s talent and celebrate that a talented black man is playing a character who was animated as a white man in the film. Young black girls and boys see themselves represented on a Broadway stage as a Disney Prince (“Prince”, assuming that he goes on to marry Princess Anna) and see the full width of their own potential. The minority of folks have struggled to engage their imaginations, with Alladin even having to deal with a racist internet troll or two.
I recently spoke with the Broadway star about the power of a human relationship with an animal, why Kristoff and Anna work as a couple, the importance of diversity and representation on the stage, and how he experiences theater as therapeutic.
What emotions did you experience making your Broadway debut?
Making my Broadway debut was the most emotional experience of my life. For years you train and work your butt off, for this one moment; that is singularly yours and something no one can ever take away. It was a moment of absolute bliss, but mine was a shared moment with everyone who has ever poured something of themselves into my life. I was so grateful that day for my family, my past teachers, my friends and my current co-workers. The whole day I had an unbreakable smile.
What do you do for self-care to maintain your body and voice for your performance schedule?
Doing 8 shows a week is not for the faint of heart. You must guard your body and mind at all times; this means sacrificing a lot of things (no drinking, long periods of socializing, dairy) and it also means really taking in rest when it’s time to rest. For my body no matter how many massages or PT sessions I have (once or twice a week), if I don’t sleep, I for sure won’t recover. Because of my particular track I am in the gym 6 times a week strengthening certain muscles and stretching out others.
Kristoff has a beautiful relationship with his trusty reindeer, Sven. Pets can be quite therapeutic. Do you relate to that human-animal bond from personal experience?
As a kid I always wanted a dog, but my mother would never allow it. It wasn’t until I went away to high school in New Canaan, CT where my host family had a dog (couldn’t tell you what breed, I’m not that much of an expert). But she was so beautiful and I learned to love her, to play with her, to walk her, to make up voices for her, much like what I do with Sven. I think anyone that has been alone with a pet can relate to how much of a spring board they can be for self therapy, to release an internal debate. We know they can’t fully understand what we are saying but yet we carry on full discussion or tell them our deepest secrets, as a way of making ourselves feel more assured.
Why do you think the relationship works between Kristoff and Anna? Are there any real-life lessons that can be taken away from the growth in their relationship?
I think what is so special about Kristoff and Anna is that their relationship begins as a job exchange! He has been hired to help her, “no strings attached”. But like many situations in life when you are forced to work with someone, your learn so much about them so quickly and actually begin to develop a connection you didn’t really know existed until something tragic happens to the other person. These are also two individuals with very strong point of views, that both end up changing due to what they are learning and experiencing from the other. Hans is the instant love, Kristoff is the slow burn ( we can all relate to that). And then there is the ever popular saying, opposites attract. And here you have a princess, and a common worker, how much more opposite can you get. These are two characters desperate for connection and though initially forced, danger brings them together faster and deeper than they saw coming.
What does it mean to you to be playing Kristoff in Frozen?
Just being in the room has been an honor. But to play this now iconic character and to have been allotted the space to make him new, to put my signature DNA into his means the world to me. To be the hero, to be a DISNEY PRINCE, and look the way that I look, is something I can never take for granted. I now have the responsibility to be the vision, the inspiration of so many young black boys and girls, who dream of there being a place in magical worlds for them. That is a high honor and a GREAT responsibility that must always be tended to with care and love. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine this moment, to be a part of the revolution of inclusion and diversity, inside the highest grossing animated film of all time, where no one looked anything like me!
What do you see as the state of diversity and representation on Broadway?
I think we have certainly made strides, but yet there is so much further to go. Diversity on Broadway isn’t just having one or two shows with people of color; it’s about making sure that all shows are inclusive. Look at our Arrendelle, which I remind you is a made up place, but Disney did right by populating it with all kinds of people. Furthermore, diversity and representation is much deeper than casting your show a la Hamilton. It will take a real change in the minds of writers, producers, directors, to see their characters as essences that can live inside a human that is of any ethnicity. It also means more stories produced about various ethnic communities, so that stories about people of color become common and not just the singular one hit revival of the season.
What message would you like to give to young POC aspiring actors?
Yes, it’s true, you do have to work twice or three times as hard to get into the room. But stay encouraged because it is worth it and the art form needs you. This business needs your individuality, your singular beauty, your specific background; leave none of it behind in your work and never be afraid to share it. Create the vision for yourself and it will manifest!!!
What do you hope audiences take away from seeing Frozen?
I hope they leave the theater desperate to reconnect with someone in their life they have lost. Our play is about the power of unity and love overcoming fear; two sisters coming together, a community coming together through the power of love. We as a nation need this story now more than ever; as we reach out and touch, I hope the gesture is carried home and shared.
How has theater been therapeutic for your personally?
It is my place of release, my judgement-free zone to laugh, to cry, to cheer, to condemn, to expand, to reckon, to refill, to inspire, to create. The theater allows me to be a part of something that is so much bigger than me and tap into a healing source. I choose to be an actor partly because creating characters helps me as a person release all that is going on inside me in a healthy way.
To get tickets to see Frozen on Broadway, visit the Disney Frozen website. You can follow Alladin on social media @jelanialladin.
Best,
Dr. Drama