Photo Courtesy: Children’s Theater
AMA had the joy of attending Children’s Theatre Company’s production of Disney’s Frozen: The Broadway Musical! Nominated for three Tony Awards including Best Musical, Frozen features music and lyrics by Academy Award-winners Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and a book by Academy Award-nominee Jennifer Lee.
From stunning sets and dazzling lights to a powerful cast, every detail brought Arendelle Kingdom to life. The show stayed true to the beloved story and music while adding fresh twists in lyrics, character moments, and choreography. The magical atmosphere, dynamic performances, and top-tier vocals and dancing made it an unforgettable experience!
🎠Running through June 15 — don’t miss your chance to see this magical production before seats are gone! https://childrenstheatre.org/whats-on/frozen/
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Preface: In addition to the opportunity to review this high-quality musical, AMA was granted an interview with Ms. Gillian Jackson Han, who plays the lead role of Elsa in the “Frozen” Musical. AMA staff member Meejoo Choi sat down with her to discuss her artistic journey.
B
eyond the Spotlight: Gillian’s Journey Through Passion and Performance
Gillian is a Chinese-American actor and musician based in New York City, originally from the DC
Metro area. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre from Baldwin Wallace University
and enjoys sharing her heritage through cuisine and storytelling. She is currently playing Elsa in Children’s Theatre Company’s production of Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical, running
through June 15.
Finding Her Voice:
A Path Shaped by Passion and Performance
Gillian grew up in the heart of the DC Metro area, raised by a journalist mother and a lawyer
father—neither of whom worked in the arts. Still, from a young age, it was clear she was drawn
to performance. Her love for singing and storytelling emerged in preschool and never faded.
With unwavering support from her parents—especially her mom, who passed down a love for
musical theater—Gillian threw herself into choirs and school productions. By high school, her
passion for performance had found its outlet in musical theater. She went on to study in a
conservatory program in Music Theatre in Ohio, and eventually moved to New York City to
continue pursuing her artistic calling. Today, she blends music, movement, and narrative to
bring characters to life on stage.
Carrying Her Story Into Every Role
Performance is personal for Gillian.
It’s not just about learning lines or choreography—it’s about bringing the fullness of her identity into every role. As the eldest daughter with a younger sister she feels closely connected to, she naturally gravitates toward characters that reflect that dynamic. Her current role as Elsa in Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical has made that connection even more meaningful, allowing her to draw from her real-life experience as an older sister. Even though she doesn’t frame her work around hardship, her past experiences—both
the joyful and the difficult—shape how she approaches storytelling. They influence how she
reacts, interprets, and connects with the emotional core of each scene. That quiet emotional
depth, built over time, becomes part of the performance itself, even if the audience doesn’t know the story behind.
Support, Serendipity, and Showing Up with Kindness
Gillian describes her path into the industry as one marked by both support and luck. With a
family that believed in her dreams and helped her access strong mentorship and arts education,
she built confidence early. She participated in several youth conservatory programs, which led
to showcase opportunities in New York. Those experiences opened doors, including a chance
meeting with the agent who still represents her today. As she sees it, the entertainment industry often runs on relationships, and genuine kindness can leave a lasting impression. She carries that lesson with her—treating everyone with respect and remaining authentic in every
interaction. At the same time, she avoids falling into the trap of comparison. Everyone’s path
looks different, and timelines never match. What matters most is staying grounded and trusting
in her own journey.
Rising to the Challenge—With Grace and Grounding

As Gillian takes on new roles, she finds each one more challenging—not because the roles
themselves are harder, but because her standards continue to rise. With every project, she
expects more of herself, which means more time, more effort, and greater emotional
investment. Her current role has been especially demanding, requiring a level of vocal stamina
she’s never experienced before. On top of that, working in television for the first time meant
learning to navigate a completely different medium. Each project brings its own set of
challenges, but one of the biggest hurdles is learning not to be too hard on herself. To manage
the pressure, she prioritizes small things that help her feel human—getting outside, exercising,
enjoying good food, and staying connected with family and friends. These routines remind her
that a full, healthy life offstage is essential to thriving on it.
Advice from the Heart:
Kindness, Courage, and Your Own Pace
Gillian’s advice to aspiring actors is simple but powerful: be kind, be open, and be brave. She
encourages others to seek out spaces that stretch them, even if it feels a little uncomfortable.
Growth, she believes, often happens in those uncertain moments. It’s also important to stay
mindful of the mental toll that comes with a visible, competitive industry. She often reminds
herself—and others—that “everyone’s journey looks different.” It’s a grounding belief that helps
her resist comparison and stay focused on her own path. Social media can be especially
deceptive, showing only the highlight reel while hiding the struggle. Her advice is to disconnect when needed, and focus on living life at your own pace.
Holding Onto Purpose in an Unpredictable Industry
Staying motivated in the entertainment industry isn’t always easy. Gillian has days when doubt
creeps in—moments when she questions whether the effort is truly worth it. But beneath the
uncertainty lies something steady: a deep love for storytelling. It fuels everything she does and reminds her why she chose this path in the first place. She sees this work not just as a career, but as a calling—something necessary, powerful, and worth pursuing. Choosing to show up
even on the hard days makes that choice all the more meaningful. In the end, doing what she
loves is enough—and that alone gives her something worth fighting for.
Photo Courtesy: Children’s Theater
