From West Africa with love for the American way of life

THREE BONE THEATRE

The cast of Three Bone Theatre’s production “JaJa’s African Hair Braiding,” which plays at The Arts Factory at West End Studios Nov. 8-24.

The dreams and aspirations of immigrants is the backdrop to a Three Bone Theatre production.

“Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,” written by Jocelyn Bioh and directed by Donna Bradby is Nov. 8-24 at The Arts Factory at West End Studios, 1545 West Trade St. The Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows start at 8 p.m. and Sunday shows are at 2 p.m. The Nov. 10 performance is sold out.

Advance tickets bought online are $30; $35 at the door and $15 for students and educators. Prices are discounted for groups of 10 or more by emailing [email protected] for information.

The national theater community has noticed “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,” which made its Broadway debut in 2023. The production earned a 2024 Tony nomination for Best Play, as well as nominations for Outstanding Production of a Play by the Drama League and Outstanding New Play by the Outer Critics Circle.

Set in Harlem, Jaja’s African Hair Braiding salon is staffed by West African immigrant women whose job is to raise customers’ hair to its best while sharing stories of love, secrets and dreams. On a muggy summer day, Jaja’s daughter Marie is running the shop while her mom prepares for courthouse nuptials to a man who’s generally disliked but can provide access to the green card Jaja covets.

THREE BONE THEATRE

“Jaja’s Hair Braiding’ director Donna Bradby is a theater arts professor at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro.

Like her mother, Marie, a DREAMer herself, wants to secure her future in the United States as a high school senior who wants to go to college. While Marie deals with the drama generated by customers and stylists in the shop, they also try to navigate the uneasy feeling that they are outsiders in a place they consider home, which strengthens their connections and community in the U.S.

“Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” contains some adult language and content. Recommended for ages 14 and older.

Bradby, a theater arts professor at North Carolina A&T State University, is making her Three Bone directorial debut with Jaja's African Hair Braiding. Prior stage directorial credits include “The America Play,” “Ethel Waters: His Eye Is on the Sparrow,” “From the Mississippi Delta,” “The Old Settler,” “The Color Purple,” and “A Raisin in the Sun.” Most recently, she directed “Ernest and the Pale Moon,” “Fairview,” and “The Crucible” at Western Connecticut State University.

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