Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, directed by Whitney White and written by Jocelyn Baio, now playing at Arena Stage until October 13th, is a hilarious, charming and educational production that takes you to a hair salon, especially a braiding shop. It’s a work that anyone who has ever seen it can relate to. But in a divisive political climate, Baio’s play is more than just dramatic comic relief: it’s about building a life, achieving goals, and confronting challenges despite obstacles that make America feel like a faraway country. This is a necessary story of immigrants in the United States. A place that welcomes foreigners seeking a new life.
“It was interesting. I certainly didn’t expect the ending,” said audience member Kiana Cunningham from Colorado Springs, Colorado, after seeing the show at Arena Stage in Southwest Washington, D.C., on Sept. 24. . (Middle) Political era. I thought it was a good message. It also puts things into perspective for those who don’t fully understand the immigrant experience, especially how it impacts the economy and lives. ”
As the election season heats up, the immigrant experience has become a hot topic for political candidates, particularly Democratic and Republican presidential candidates, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. During a debate between the two major party candidates, Trump claimed that Haitian immigrants were eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, a claim that has now been proven false, including by the city’s mayor. There is.
Chelsea Dee Harrison, a theater maker, teaching artist, and founder of the Free Black Chesapeake Project, is committed to using Jaja to speak truth to power, especially in politically charged times like these. We considered why plays such as “Braiding African Hair” and theater in general are necessary.
“At a time when candidates are spewing hate and inciting violence against immigrants, I’m especially thinking about the lie of Haitians eating pets in Ohio. We need theater, bringing people together and telling stories. “We need a place to talk, laugh out loud, and remind all of us of our common humanity,” Harrison told Informer after watching the Sept. 20 show.
Jaja’s African Hair Braid: A Must-Experience
A play that includes comedy, drama, multi-character challenges and Afrobeats, “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” at Arena Stage is an experience for everyone in attendance. Showing the passage of time through the use of the store’s televisions and customers’ hairstyles, this multimedia production transports the audience into a day at a braid shop and into the world of drama, joy, encouragement, and tea that such an experience entails. Invite the audience.
Aisha Sougou (Ndidi), Melanie Bregil (Michelle/Chrissy/Laniece), Awa Sal Secca (Bear), Jordan Rice (Marie), Colby N. Muhammad (Vanessa/Sheila/Radia), Tiffany Rennie – Johnson (Aminata), Biserat Tsegai (Miriam) and Mia Ellis (Jennifer) will star in “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding.” (Photo provided by T. Charles Erickson/Arena Stage)
Jordan Rice’s masterful and engaging portrayal of the character Marie immediately lets audiences understand the complexities of commuting on the New York subway as the teenage daughter of an African immigrant entrepreneur in 2019. You can know.
This fast-paced story welcomes the audience into Marie’s mother’s shop, from which the play takes its name, on Jaja’s (Victoire Charles) wedding day. Jaja, an undocumented immigrant, hopes the wedding will solidify her U.S. citizenship, which is important not only to her but also to her daughter. Marie is a smart girl, although she was raised and educated in the United States, she is also an illegal immigrant, so she cannot attend college and works in a store.
The audience meets the staff members Aminata (Tiffany Len Johnson), Bee (Awa Sal Secca), Miriam (Biselat Tsegai), and Ndidi (Aisha Sougou), who keep the store busy with their knitting, and Marie, who runs the store. . The strong work of these actresses is shown not only in their individual performances, but also in their collaborative skills on stage, displaying a variety of dynamics, from joy to gossip to competition to respect and encouragement.
Helmed by White, who also directed the Broadway production, “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” at Arena Stage includes smooth transitions, with Nikiya’s hair as important as the characters on stage. – Also includes a wig designed by Matisse.
The show has received strong support from customers and those who frequent the store, including Mia Ellis, who plays Jennifer, Michelle Bregil, Yao Dogbe, and Colby N. Muhammad, who switch charmingly between various roles. It adds color and comedy. And there was a bit of creative chaos in the cast.
When Charles appears as Jaja, she takes the stage in a bold and beautiful way, making the audience think about struggle, achieving goals, building a life and family, and the trials of being an American immigrant. Although Charles is not on stage for very long, the audience waits for her arrival before she enters and feels her presence even after she exits.
The way the hair is braided and the story unfolds is amazing to watch in person and will captivate your audience for the entire 80 minutes.
An uplifting immigrant story
“Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” takes the audience on a roller coaster of emotions, but by the end of the action, the audience has learned more about the immigrant experience in the United States.
“The D.C. community is definitely impacted by the presence of African Americans and African descendants,” Cunningham told The Informer. “We have a large African community here, so understanding their perspective and how some of them got here and how they built their families here; I feel it’s important to know how that can be very difficult.”
Considering her own life and experiences, Margaret Thomas also saw the play and was reminded of the contributions that immigrants have made to this country.
“I’m an American, but I was born in Grenada, a small island in the Caribbean. I think tonight’s show is a reminder of everything we (immigrants) have brought to this country.” Thomas told the Informer.
For Thomas, watching the action in the play was a relatable experience in many ways.
“Back on the island, when I was younger, we would go to the river to wash our clothes. And we would talk about community issues, all the gossip, who got married, who got divorced, who had babies, who was with whom. Everything was over when we met the river,” she explained after seeing the work. “This story tonight is about people from all walks of life, people from all walks of life, people from all walks of life, small problems, big problems, immigrants, communities of people coming together in shops and hair salons to get their hair braided. It was just amazing to be able to see that in the community. ”
Harrison emphasized that the play serves as a reminder to audiences of the importance of immigrant stories and contributions to the nation, especially in politically divided times.
“This play is an important reminder of the debt that America owes to the ingenuity, work ethic, and sacrifice of immigrants. America was built on the unrequited labor and dreams of immigrants. “Migrants come to our shores with hopes for a better life and a determination to make it happen,” she told The Informer. “During this election season, it is critical that we share stories that center the humanity and dignity of people moving to this country.”
For tickets and more information, visit arenastage.org.
