“Jaja’s African Hair Braiding”

While we are very familiar with the hairstyle itself, “braiding” is very special to the African Community and to the African American population as well. Most of us do not realize that the process is time consuming and very expensive to do in a shop. In many cases it can take from 8 to 12 hours to get it just right. In this story, the braiding is just a part of what we are seeing. The ladies are typical women who work hard for their families. What we see during this play is their particular stories.

A great deal of the time is spent on  Bea ( Awa Sal Secka) and Aminata ( deftly handled by Tiffany Renee Johnson). They are the main hairdressers who would love nothing more than open their own shop. Aminata’s husband takes her money, making that an impossible dream. This production is what one must call a true ensemble piece as it works because each and every member of this cast understands what these characters are in need of. Melanie Brezill is perfect, Leovina Charles, sparkles, Victoire Charles is radiant, Mia Ellis, Jordan Rice, Aisha Sai Secka,Yao Dogbe ( several roles), Bisserat Tseggai, and Onye Eme-Akwari, Morgan Scott , as well as the aforementioned Ms Johnson and  Ms Sai Secka.

The tech aspects of the production add just the right touch to allow us ( the audience) to feel that we are the “fly on the wall” observing this particular moment in this particular shop, on this particular day. Dede Ayite’s costumes are terrific, Justin Ellington’s original music and sound quite fitting and the lighting (Jiyoun Chnag) perfect. In a play that takes place in a beauty salon, one must make mention of the person who designed the hair and wigs (Nikiya Mathis) and the props (Arena Stage).