Critics' Pick
"Hot and hilarious… prepare for laughter!"
The New York Times
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
October 1 – November 9, 2025
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
By Jocelyn Bioh
Directed by Whitney White
A co-production with Arena Stage, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater and La Jolla Playhouse
In association with Madison Wells Live and LaChanze
Ticket Price (all-in pricing including fees)
Starts at $40.25
Runtime
90 minutes, no intermission.
Friends Ticket Presale
Presale: July 9, 2025
Amex Presale Tickets™
Presale: July 16, 2025
Single Tickets
On sale: July 23, 2025
THE TONY-WINNING COMEDY DIRECT FROM BROADWAY
Step into the vibrant world of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, a beloved Harlem hotspot where West African immigrant braiders work their magic on the locals’ locks. Amidst the lively buzz of a scorching summer, love ignites, dreams soar, and secrets unravel. But beneath the surface of this riotous comedy lies a current of uncertainty, pushing this close-knit community to confront the challenges of being outsiders in their own neighborhood.
From the pen of Tony Award-nominated Ghanaian American playwright Jocelyn Bioh (School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, Kirk Douglas Theatre) and directed by Tony Award nominee and Obie Award winner Whitney White, Jaja’s African Hair Braiding is “a play that is equally affecting as it is hilarious,” hails Entertainment Weekly.
"Brilliant! A powerful tale about joy, dreams, community, and sisterhood."
Entertainment Weekly
Showtimes & Tickets
Click on the button below to view a calendar with all of our available performance dates and times.
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Wednesday, October 29, 2025
9:30PM
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Thursday, October 30, 2025
9:30PM
A Night at CTG presented by American Express
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Friday, October 31, 2025
10:00PM
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Saturday, November 1, 2025
4:00PM
ACCESS
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Saturday, November 1, 2025
10:00PM
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Sunday, November 2, 2025
3:00PM
Stage Talks
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Sunday, November 2, 2025
9:00PM
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Tuesday, November 4, 2025
9:30PM
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Wednesday, November 5, 2025
9:30PM
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Thursday, November 6, 2025
9:30PM
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Friday, November 7, 2025
10:00PM
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Saturday, November 8, 2025
4:00PM
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Saturday, November 8, 2025
10:00PM
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Sunday, November 9, 2025
3:00PM
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Sunday, November 9, 2025
9:00PM
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Subscribe to the 2025/26 Season
Available as part of the One CTG subscription package on sale now.
Show Details
Promotions & Events
Enhance your theatregoing experience with one of these special events
The Beaudry Room
Visit The Beaudry Room before or after the show – just one block away from the theatre! Located on the 10th floor of Conrad Los Angeles, The Beaudry Room by Chef José Andrés offers vibrant tapas, bold cocktails, and sweeping views of Downtown LA. Highlights include croquetas, a Txule ribeye burger, and signature drinks like the Shiso Spicy Margarita and “Taken for Granted.”
Special Offer: Jaja’s African Hair Braiding ticket holders enjoy 10% discount on food before or after the show. Please show your tickets (digital or printed) to your server.
The Backyard Series: Black Owned Business Night
Join us for the first performance of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding! Kick off the evening with food, drinks, and local vendors at our CTG Backyard before the show. Celebrate and support amazing Black-owned businesses while experiencing Jocelyn Bioh’s funny and heartfelt new play, together in community.
Use code BLKOWNED for special pricing
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Event: 6PM
Performance: 7:30PM
In Conversation: Jocelyn Bioh & Snehal Desai
Join Artistic Director Snehal Desai and playwright Jocelyn Bioh for a pre-show conversation exploring the journey of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding – from its inspiration and development to its powerful resonance with audiences across the country. Hear firsthand how Jocelyn brought this vibrant story to life and what it means to share it with Los Angeles audiences.
Friday, October 3, 2025
Doors open: 6:30PM
Pre-show conversation in the theatre: 7PM
Performance: 8PM
West African Culture Night
Enjoy an evening celebrating West African culture at Jaja's African Hair Braiding. Use the promo code below to receive a complimentary drink before the show. After the performance, stay for an engaging conversation moderated by Nigerian-American playwright and professor Julie Taiwo Quarles, featuring members of the cast as they share reflections on the production and its cultural resonance.
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Check-in to get a drink: starting 6PM
Performance: 7:30PM
Use code WESTAFR for special pricing.
Stage Talks
Stage Talks offer an opportunity for theatregoers to come together after select performances for engaging conversations with cast members and/or the creative team.
Tuesday, October 21, 2025, 7:30PM
Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 7:30PM
Sunday, November 2, 2025, 1PM
A Night at JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING presented by American Express
Join us for a special post-show conversation. Terms apply.
Thursday, October 30, 2025 at 7:30PM
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L—R: Claudia Logan, Bisserat Tseggai, and Mia Ellis in JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at the Mark Taper Forum. Photo by Javier Vasquez/Center Theatre Group.
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L—R: Claudia Logan, Bisserat Tseggai, Mia Ellis, Jordan Rice, and Tiffany Renee Johnson in JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at the Mark Taper Forum. Photo by Javier Vasquez/Center Theatre Group.
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L—R: Jordan Rice and Michael Oloyede in JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at the Mark Taper Forum. Photo by Javier Vasquez/Center Theatre Group.
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L—R: Jordan Rice and Bisserat Tseggai in JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at the Mark Taper Forum. Photo by Javier Vasquez/Center Theatre Group.
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L—R: Claudia Logan, Jordan Rice, and Leovina Charles in JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at the Mark Taper Forum. Photo by Javier Vasquez/Center Theatre Group.
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L—R: Claudia Logan, Melanie Brezill, and Abigail C. Onwunali in JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at the Mark Taper Forum. Photo by Javier Vasquez/Center Theatre Group.
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The company of JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at the Mark Taper Forum. Photo by Javier Vasquez/Center Theatre Group.
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Jordan Rice in JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at the Mark Taper Forum. Photo by Javier Vasquez/Center Theatre Group.
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L—R: Bisserat Tseggai and Mia Ellis in JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at the Mark Taper Forum. Photo by Javier Vasquez/Center Theatre Group.
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L—R: Jordan Rice, Leovina Charles, and Tiffany Renee Johnson in JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at the Mark Taper Forum. Photo by Javier Vasquez/Center Theatre Group.
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L—R: Jordan Rice and Leovina Charles in JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at the Mark Taper Forum. Photo by Javier Vasquez/Center Theatre Group.
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The company of JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at the Mark Taper Forum. Photo by Javier Vasquez/Center Theatre Group.
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Victoire Charles in JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at the Mark Taper Forum. Photo by Javier Vasquez/Center Theatre Group.
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L—R: Tiffany Renee Johnson, Bisserat Tseggai, Jordan Rice, and Abigail C. Onwunali in JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at the Mark Taper Forum. Photo by Javier Vasquez/Center Theatre Group.
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Tiffany Renee Johnson in JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at the Mark Taper Forum. Photo by Javier Vasquez/Center Theatre Group.
Cast
Michelle, Chrissy, LaNiece
Melanie Brezill
Vanessa, Radia, Sheila; she/her
Leovina Charles
Jaja; she/her
Victoire Charles
Jennifer, u/s Chrissy, u/s Michelle, u/s LaNiece; she/her
Mia Ellis
Aminata; she/her
Tiffany Renee Johnson
Bea; she/her
Claudia Logan
James, Franklin, Olu, Eric; he/him
Michael Oloyede
Ndidi; she/her
Abigail C. Onwunali
Marie; she/her
Jordan Rice
Miriam; she/her
Bisserat Tseggai
Assistant Director, u/s Miriam, u/s Aminata, u/s Ndidi; she/her
Debora Crabbe
u/s James, Olu, Franklin, Eric; he/him
Vandous Stripling II
u/s Marie, u/s Vanessa, u/s Shela, u/s Radia; she/her
Donae Swanson
u/s Jaja, u/s Bea; she/her
Sadé Ayodele
Nollywood Dreams Actor; she/her
Morgan Scott
Nollywood Dreams Actor; he/ him
Onye Eme-Akwari
Creative Team
Playwright
Jocelyn Bioh
Director
Whitney White
Additional Direction; she/her
Manna-Symone Middlebrooks
Set Designer; he/him
David Zinn
Costume Designer
Dede Ayite
Lighting Designer; she/her
Jiyoun Chang
Sound Designer and Original Music; he/him
Justin Ellington
Wig, Hair and Make-Up Design; she/her
Nikiya Mathis
Video Designer; she/her
Stefania Bulbarella
Voice and Dialect Coach
Jacqueline Springfield
Production Stage Manager; she/her
Brillian Qi-Bell
Stage Manager; she/her
Jihee Jenny Park
Casting Director; she/her
Erica A. Hart, CSA
Casting
Kelly Gillespie, CSA
Casting
David Caparelliotis, CSA
Additional Resources
Program
Ghostlight | Educational Resources
Season Programming Support Provided By
Student Matinee Ticket Access for Jaja’s African Hair Braiding is provided by Dove, a proud co-founder of the CROWN Coalition.
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