In the bustling streets of Harlem, Jaja’s hair braiding salon stands as a lively, candy-colored hub for women who hail from across Africa and the Caribbean. In playwright Jocelyn Bioh’s new comedy, the employees of Jaja’s salon come from Sierra Leone, Jamaica, Senegal, Ghana, and Nigeria, bringing a melting pot of cultures, languages, and personalities to this tiny, Harlem-centric space. But beyond the braids and banter, the story unfolds in the deeper bonds of sisterhood—an exploration of shared dreams, struggles, and the challenges of life as immigrants in America.
At its core, Jaja’s offers a look at the interconnected lives of these women, each juggling their own personal battles while navigating the pressures of their professional relationships. Some are legal immigrants, others undocumented, but all face a precarious existence. The braiders at Jaja’s are hardworking, street-smart, and unshakably stylish, making their way in a world that is both vibrant and unforgiving.
Bioh, a Ghanaian-American playwright, masterfully weaves humor and heart into this chaotic and hilarious microcosm, drawing the audience into a space where tensions flare, loyalties are tested, and hairstyles tell a story of their own. As the play unfolds, the audience—many of whom nod and laugh in recognition of the trials and tribulations of intricate braiding styles—become as hooked as the characters themselves.
In the midst of the banter and drama, real braiding happens onstage—twists, locs, box braids, and cornrows—each hairstyle a testament to the skill and artistry of the women who create them. But this salon is more than a place for hair; it’s a battleground of professional jealousies and rivalries. Stealing clients is a cardinal sin, and tensions run high as the politics of the salon’s delicate hierarchy play out.
At the helm of this world is Jaja, the glamorous and commanding owner played by Victoire Charles. Though she doesn’t make an appearance until the second act, her presence looms large over the salon. Her daughter, Marie (Jordan Rice), a college valedictorian, manages the shop with a calm precision that belies the chaos around her.
The other braiders—Miriam (Bisserat Tseggai), Aminata (Tiffany Renee Johnson), Bea (Awa Sal Secka), and Ndidi (Aisha Sougou)—each bring their own stories to the fore. Miriam is grappling with a newfound sense of identity, while Aminata struggles to assert herself against an abusive husband. Bea, always stirring the pot, is a firebrand ready to clash with anyone who crosses her, particularly Ndidi, the talented new hire who threatens Bea’s place in the salon’s pecking order. Ndidi is only meant to be a temporary hire until her own salon is rebuilt, but her growing popularity among clients sets off a chain of tensions.
Among the clientele is Jennifer (Mia Ellis), a journalist who’s never had braids before and is unprepared for the hours-long process. “I feel like I’ve moved in for the day!” she exclaims, her exasperation a moment of comic relief in the otherwise frenetic energy of the salon.
Amid the teasing, bickering, and verbal sparring, the camaraderie between the women remains unbreakable. The salon is filled with lively conversation, punctuated by laughter and the ever-present hum of the shop’s TV, which plays African soap operas and Beyoncé music videos in the background. It’s an immersive, chaotic, and endlessly entertaining world that draws the audience in, and before long, the theater is filled with laughter, as the audience relates to the humor and the universal themes of resilience and sisterhood.
Each actor in the ensemble cast brings their own unique flair, making it impossible to single out a standout performance. The characters, both stylists and clients, are fully realized, with their entrances and exits as unpredictable and hilarious as the world they inhabit. Together, they form a vibrant, colorful mosaic of personalities that make Jaja’s salon feel like a real place—one where life’s struggles are braided into the very fabric of daily interactions.
What emerges from Jaja’s is a kaleidoscope of wit, conflict, and tenderness—a snapshot of the trials and triumphs of immigrant women who navigate their lives, loves, and careers in a world that is at once full of challenges and bursting with joy.
With Melanie Brezill as Michelle/Chrissy/LaNiece; Yao Dogbe as James/Franklin; Colby N. Muhammad as Vanessa/Sheila/Radia.
Directed by Whitney White, Set Design by David Zinn, Costume Design by Dede Ayite, Lighting Design by Jiyoun Chang, Original Music and Sound Design by Justin Ellington, Video Design by Stefania Bubarella, Hair and Wig Design by Nikiya Mathis, Dialect and Vocal Coach Yetunde Felix-Ukwu.
Through October 13th at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth Street, NE, Washington, DC 20024.
