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JAN 14 - FEB 2, 2025

Written by Jocelyn Bioh
Directed by Whitney White

The Yard

Jaja’s African Hair Braiding

Written by Jocelyn Bioh
Directed by Whitney White

The Yard

Run Time: Approximately 90 minutes (no intermission)

Seat Map


Additional Credits
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding is a co‑production of Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Arena Stage, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and La Jolla Playhouse

Presented in association with Madison Wells Live and LaChanze

Critics Pick: “HOT & HILARIOUS”

–New York Times

TERRIFIC ACTORS…leaning into the laughs, which are many

–Chicago Tribune

SUPERB…90 minutes of pure joy

–Let’s Play Theatrical Reviews

Straight from a twice-extended Broadway run, making its Regional Premiere. Welcome into Jaja’s, a bustling Harlem hotspot where West African immigrant braiders work their magic on the locals’ locks. Amidst the lively buzz of a scorching summer day, pull up a chair with Marie, Bea, Miriam, Aminata, and Ndidi as love blossoms, dreams flourish, and secrets are revealed. But uncertainty simmers below the surface, and this tight-knit community must confront what it means to be an outsider on the edge of the place they call home. Written by Tony-nominated Ghanaian-American playwright Jocelyn Bioh (School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play) and directed by Chicago’s own award-winning director Whitney White, this laugh-out-loud comedic gem “is equally affecting as it is hilarious,” hails Entertainment Weekly.

Premiere Production Sponsors

Lead Production Sponsors

Student Matinee Ticket Access for JaJa’s African Hair Braiding is provided by Dove, a proud co-founder of the CROWN Coalition.

Run Time: Approximately 90 minutes (no intermission)

Seat Map


Additional Credits
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding is a co‑production of Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Arena Stage, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and La Jolla Playhouse

Presented in association with Madison Wells Live and LaChanze

Audio Description

JAN 26 Audio Description

Open Captioning

JAN 29 Open Captioning

American Sign Language

JAN 30 ASL Interpretation

GLORIOUS! The cast sparkles & shines… a true ensemble piece.”

–Around the Town Chicago

Director Whitney White brings out the richness & soul of each character.

–Let’s Play Theatrical Reviews

“An overwhelmingly affectionate portrait of Black female joy.”

TheaterMania

“Laugh-out-loud hilarious, authentic and engaging”

DC Theater Arts

“An overwhelmingly affectionate portrait of Black female joy.”

TheaterMania

“Laugh-out-loud hilarious, authentic and engaging”

DC Theater Arts

Artists

Manna-Symone Middlebrooks

Associate Director

Yetunde Felix-Ukwu

Dialect and Vocal Coach

Sierra Young

Intimacy Consultant

Dwaine Potts

Associate Sound Designer

Manna-Symone Middlebrooks

Associate Director

Yetunde Felix-Ukwu

Dialect and Vocal Coach

Sierra Young

Intimacy Consultant

Dwaine Potts

Associate Sound Designer