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The Tony-Winning Comedy Direct from Broadway

Jaja’s African Hair Braiding

"Bioh's braided world of teeth sucking, sideways comments and dance breaks is rapturous.

— The Guardian

Step into the vibrant world of Jaja's African Hair Braiding, a riotously funny yet deeply resonant play by Jocelyn Bioh. Set in the pulsating heart of Harlem, this comedic gem unravels the complexities of cultural identity, assimilation, and the pursuit of the American Dream within the African immigrant community. Follow the uproarious escapades of Marie, Bea, Miriam, Aminata, Ndidi, Jaja, and others as they navigate life and laughter in Jaja's bustling hair braiding salon. With humor as rich as its characters, this Tony Award-winning production weaves hilarious moments with profound insights, celebrating the indomitable spirit and interconnectedness that define us all.

Support for Jaja's African Hair Braiding is provided by In-kind support is provided by Camille Rose logo.

Cast

MELANIE BREZILL

Michelle/Chrissy/LaNiece

VICTOIRE CHARLES

Jaja

YAO DOGBE

James/Franklin/Olu/Eric

MIA ELLIS

Jennifer / u/s Michelle/Chrissy/LaNiece

TIFFANY RENEE JOHNSON

Aminata

COLBY N. MUHAMMAD

Vanessa/Sheila/Radia

JORDAN RICE

Marie

AWA SAL SECKA

Bea

AISHA SOUGOU

Ndidi

BISSERAT TSEGGAI

Miriam

DEBORA CRABBE

u/s Marie, Ndidi, Aminata

YETUNDE FELIX-UKWU

u/s Jaja, Bea, Miriam

JOI HENRY

u/s Jennifer, Vanessa/Radia/Sheila

THEODORE SAPP

u/s James/Franklin/Olu/Eric

ONYE EME-AKWARI

Nollywood Dreams Actor

MORGAN SCOTT

Nollywood Dreams Actor

Creative

JOCELYN BIOH

Playwright

WHITNEY WHITE

Director

DAVID ZINN

Set Designer

DEDE AYITE

Costume Designer

JIYOUN CHANG

Lighting Designer

JUSTIN ELLINGTON

Original Music and Sound Design

STEFANIA BULBARELLA

Video Designer

NIKIYA MATHIS

Hair and Wig Designer

MANNA-SYMONE MIDDLEBROOKS

Associate Director

YETUNDE FELIX-UKWU

Dialect and Vocal Coach

ERICA A. HART, CSA

New York Casting

KELLY GILLESPIE, CSA

New York Casting

DAVID CAPARELLIOTIS, CSA

New York Casting

MANDISA REED

Stage Manager

JAMIE BERRY

Assistant Stage Manager

BERKELEY REPERTORY THEATRE

CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER

MADISON WELLS LIVE

LaCHANZE

Pre-Production Photos

Victoire Charles (Jaja) for "Jaja’s African Hair Braiding", running September 6 through October 13, at Arena Stage. Photo by Tony Powell.
Jordan Rice (Marie) for "Jaja’s African Hair Braiding", running September 6 through October 13, at Arena Stage. Photo by Tony Powell.
Victoire Charles (Jaja) and Jordan Rice (Marie) for "Jaja’s African Hair Braiding", running September 6 through October 13, at Arena Stage. Photo by Tony Powell.
Awa Sal Secka (Bea) for "Jaja’s African Hair Braiding", running September 6 through October 13, at Arena Stage. Photo by Tony Powell.
(l-r) Tiffany Renee Johnson (Aminata), Bisserat Tseggai (Miriam), Jordan Rice (Marie), Victoire Charles (Jaja), Aisha Sougou (Ndidi), and Awa Sal Secka (Bea) for "Jaja’s African Hair Braiding", running September 6 through October 13, at Arena Stage. Photo by Tony Powell.
Aisha Sougou (Ndidi) for "Jaja’s African Hair Braiding", running September 6 through October 13, at Arena Stage. Photo by Tony Powell.
(l-r) Aisha Sougou (Ndidi), Victoire Charles (Jaja), and Awa Sal Secka (Bea) for "Jaja’s African Hair Braiding", running September 6 through October 13, at Arena Stage. Photo by Tony Powell.
Bisserat Tseggai (Miriam) for "Jaja’s African Hair Braiding", running September 6 through October 13, at Arena Stage. Photo by Tony Powell.
Tiffany Renee Johnson (Aminata) for "Jaja’s African Hair Braiding", running September 6 through October 13, at Arena Stage. Photo by Tony Powell.
(l-r) Tiffany Renee Johnson (Aminata), Bisserat Tseggai (Miriam), and Jordan Rice (Marie) for "Jaja’s African Hair Braiding", running September 6 through October 13, at Arena Stage. Photo by Tony Powell.
Colby N. Muhammad (Vanessa/Sheila/Radia) for "Jaja’s African Hair Braiding", running September 6 through October 13, at Arena Stage. Photo by Tony Powell.
Mia Ellis (Jennifer) for "Jaja’s African Hair Braiding", running September 6 through October 13, at Arena Stage. Photo by Tony Powell.
Melanie Brezill (Michelle/Chrissy/LaNiece) for "Jaja’s African Hair Braiding", running September 6 through October 13, at Arena Stage. Photo by Tony Powell.
Yao Dogbe (James/Franklin/Olu/Eric) for "Jaja’s African Hair Braiding", running September 6 through October 13, at Arena Stage. Photo by Tony Powell.
(l-r) Awa Sal Secka (Bea), Bisserat Tseggai (Miriam), Yao Dogbe (James/Franklin/Olu/Eric), Victoire Charles (Jaja), Jordan Rice (Marie), Tiffany Renee Johnson (Aminata), Aisha Sougou (Ndidi), Melanie Brezill (Michelle/Chrissy/LaNiece), Mia Ellis (Jennifer), and Colby N. Muhammad (Vanessa/Sheila/Radia) for "Jaja’s African Hair Braiding", running September 6 through October 13, at Arena Stage. Photo by Tony Powell.

Special Performance Notes

Southwest Nights
Tuesday, September 10 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 21 at 2 p.m.

Audio-Described Performance
Saturday, September 28, at 2 p.m.

ASL-Interpreted Performance
Saturday, October 5, at 8 p.m.

Mask-Required Performances
Saturday, September 14, at 2 p.m.
Tuesday, October 8, at 7:30 p.m.

Post-Show Conversations
Thursday, September 19, at 8 p.m.
Thursday, September 26, at 12 p.m.
Tuesday, October 1, at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 2, at 12 p.m.
Wednesday, October 9, at 12 p.m.

Industry Night
Sunday, September 8
Celebrate the start of the #DCTheatre season with a pre-show mixer with fellow DC-area theater staff and artists before the 7:30 p.m. performance.

Pride Night
Wednesday, September 11
Join us for a lively pre-show happy hour for members of the LGBTQIA+ community, family, and friends. Get $39 tickets to the 7:30 p.m. performance with promo code PRIDE.

HBCU/Divine 9 Night
Thursday, September 19
Rep your colors! Calling all of our Divine 9 members and HBCU students, staff, and alumni to come out to the show that will have everyone talking! Use promo code HBCU or NPHC for 30% off tickets to the 8 p.m. performance followed by a thought-provoking post-show conversation.

Ubiquitous Women’s Expo Exhibitor Booth Activation
Friday, September 6 – Sunday, September 8
THE HALL at Live! in in Hanover, MD
The Ubiquitous Women’s Expo is a vibrant space to connect across beauty, health, fashion, and lifestyle. Make sure to stop by the Arena team at Booth 407 as you enjoy the event!
ubiquitousexpo.com 

Civic Dialogues: The CROWN Movement
Friday, September 13
What is the CROWN Act and what actions can we collectively take to create a respectful and open world for natural hair and eradicate race-based hair discrimination in workplaces, schools, and beyond? Come early for a pre-show discussion about the CROWN Act and the broader CROWN Movement, and then take in the 8 p.m. performance.

Special thanks to Dove and Crown Coalition Logo.

Jaja’s Marketplace: EmpowerHER Event
Saturday, September 21
Welcoming all entrepreneurs and beauty enthusiasts! Arena will transform into Jaja’s Marketplace where you can buy from local women-owned businesses and learn what it takes to own a business and effectively promote your brand. The Marketplace will be open to the public for shopping from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The day's ticketholders—for the 2 p.m. matinee or 8 p.m. evening performance—will be invited to an exclusive 6 p.m. panel discussion featuring bold women who have mastered the art of launching and scaling their businesses to make an impact in their communities.

In-kind support is provided by  IKNOW Skincare Logo   and . Special thanks to Howard University and PNC Logo.

Howard University Homecoming Kick-Off
Sunday, October 13
HU…U Know! Calling all Howard students, staff, and alumni to kick off homecoming at Arena. Sport your favorite HU gear as you mingle alongside old and new faces at a post-show party following the 2 p.m. matinee.

Special thanks to Howard University's Chadwick Boseman College of Fine Arts.

 

Jaja's African Hair Braiding In The News

NBC4 WASHINGTON

‘Jaja's African Hair Braiding' sheds light on importance of Black hair salons

LIVING LOCAL DMV

‘Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,’ a comedic pursuit of the American dream

THE WASHINGTON POST

“rich hues and bold patterns that say as much about the characters as their words do”

FOX 5 GOOD DAY DC

"Jaja’s African Hair Braiding" brings the laughs to Arena Stage

METRO WEEKLY

“THE CAST CHEMISTRY…IS UNBEATABLE…like stepping into a salon on 125th Street in Manhattan”

WASHINGTON CITY PAPER

Treat Yourself to an Appointment at Jaja’s African Hair Braiding

WTOP

Tony-winning hair and wig designer brings ‘Jaja’s African Hair Braiding’ from Broadway to Arena Stage

WAMU 1A

Jocelyn Bioh on bringing ‘Jaja’s African Hair braiding’ to the stage

PLAYBILL

Photos: See the Touring Company of Jaja's African Hair Braiding Visit a D.C. Beauty Supply Shop

THE WASHINGTON POST

Divas will take over Broadway theaters this fall

BROADWAYWORLD

Washington, DC's Fall 2024 Top Theatre Shows