Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater said Monday that tickets are now on sale for the comedy production of “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding.”
The show is by Ghanaian American playwright Jocelyn Bioh and will kick off Arena’s 2024-25 season — the first programmed by artistic director Hana S. Sharif following a twice-extended fall 2023 Broadway run. The Tony Award-winning production will run from Sept. 6-Oct. 13 in Arena Stage’s Kreeger Theater.
Set in the heart of Harlem, “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” unravels the complexities of cultural identity, assimilation and the pursuit of the American dream within the African immigrant community.
There are performances for specialized audiences such as Industry Night (Sept. 8), Pride Night (Sept. 11) and NPHC/Divine 9 Night (Sept.19).
Post-show conversations will take place on Sept. 19 and 26, and Oct. 1, 2 and 9.
Tickets can be purchased at arenastage.org/jajas. They can also be purchased by phone at 202-488-3300, or in person through the sales office at 1101 Sixth Street SW in the District, Tuesday-Sunday, noon-8 p.m.
The upcoming Arena Stage production of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding sounds like a must-see for anyone interested in vibrant, culturally rich storytelling. Hair braiding is an essential aspect of African heritage and identity, and it’s exciting to see it being explored on stage through humor and drama. The intricacies of braiding tell stories beyond beauty—of history, community, and even empowerment.
This production could offer a meaningful celebration of African hair culture, which often transcends simple styling and becomes a form of self-expression. I’m eager to see how the actors and production team bring this dynamic art form to life.