Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
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Tressed to impress!
Welcome to Jaja’s bustling hair braiding salon nestled in the pulsating heart of Harlem, where a lively community of West African immigrant hair braiders weaves together humor and heart. Amidst the laughter and playful shop talk, a diverse group of women share dreams, love stories, and hidden secrets, all while creating stunning braided masterpieces. On a sweltering summer day, the lighthearted banter reveals deeper reflections on the challenges of feeling like outsiders in their own neighborhood, sparking a powerful exploration of identity and belonging, and confronting what it means to be an outsider on the edge of the place they call home. Written by award-winning and Tony-nominated Ghanaian American playwright Jocelyn Bioh (School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play), this laugh-out-loud comedic gem is a riotously funny yet deeply resonant play that celebrates the indomitable spirit and interconnectedness that define us all.
Nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Play
Nominated for three Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Play
2024 New York Times Critic’s Pick
Run time: ~1 hr, 30 min with no intermission
Content warning: Jaja’s stylists and clients are no strangers to gossip and gab, sometimes using mild adult language and sexual references. In these complex female friendships, they feel empowered to discuss racism, divorce, domestic violence, and deportation, all while sharing dreams and braiding masterpieces.
Jaja's African Hair Braiding
Preview
Preview
Opening night!
Meet the Artists
ASL-Interpreted
Audio-Described
This show is for you if . . .
- You dig shows with a large ensemble of relatable characters.
- You’re drawn to plays that deftly blend humor and drama in equal measure.
- You enjoy honest and candid stories about Black, femme, and immigrant experiences.
- You’re a fan of plays that focus on themes of identity, family, and community.
- You liked ETC’s productions of Sweat, Who All Over There?, and Your Negro Tour Guide.
- You like book and/or film titles such as Americanah, Transcendent Kingdom, On Beauty, The Joy Luck Club, Girls Trip, and Spike Lee’s School Daze.
Press
Critic’s Pick: “Hot and hilarious.”—NY Times
“A powerful comedy with a twist.”—Entertainment Weekly
“Wildly entertaining.”
—The Guardian
“Bright, generous, and forceful.”—Vulture
Events & accessibility
Poetry Open Mic
Thursday, May 15 at 7:00 pm
Join us at an open mic night in partnership with ArtsWave Pride! We invite gender-fluid and LBGTQ+ poets to share with the prompt “Where Do I Fit In?” Just like the characters inJaja’s African Hair Braiding, this event will explore the intersection of identity, self-expression, and cultural experiences.
Show Up! Young Professionals Event
Saturday, June 7 at 2:00 pm
Join other Young Professionals (at a special YP price) for the performance then mingle and discuss the show over bites and a free drink at ETC’s bar!
ETC Essentials
Sunday, June 15 at 1:00 pm
Dive even deeper into each show with a FREE conversations series that explores our productions’ themes and context with local scholars and community members. These start an hour before show time, and registration is recommended.
Meet the Artists
Thursday, June 12 at 7:30 pm | Sunday, June 15 at 2:00 pm
Stay after the show for a FREE post-show behind-the-scenes discussion with artists from the production.
ASL-Interpreted Performance
Wednesday, June 18 at 7:30 pm
Interpreters perform a translation of the play into ASL alongside the performance in a position with great sightlines to see both the action of the play and the interpreters.
Ask for an assistive listening device at any performance from our box office.
Audio Described Performance
Saturday, June 21 at 2:00 pm
Patrons can use a headset for one ear to hear descriptions of key visual elements inserted into natural pauses in the show, allowing patrons to still hear dialogue, sound effects, and music.
Ask for large print or Braille playbills at any performance from our box office.
Subscriptions
Banish the box office blues and say see ya to sold-out shows! Become a subscriber for the best prices along with other perks.
Ticket Discounts
There are great deals to be found at ETC! Explore the various ticket discounts we have available.
Photo credits | First Timer’s Guide, Brooke Steele in The Frog Princess; Ticket Info, Bryant Bentley, Burgess Byrd, and Leslie Goddard-Baum in Detroit ’67 (Mikki Schaffner); Subscriptions, Cast of Hedwig and the Angry Inch; Ticket Discounts, Torie Wiggins in Your Negro Tour Guide. All images by Ryan Kurtz unless otherwise noted.
1127 Vine Street