Auditions

Find out about our plans for our Fall 2025 production

Or interested in working backstage? Let us tell you about it. Credit available as part of our Fall 2025 - TA 215 Theater Practice.

Or call the Department of Performing and Fine Arts at (718) 262-2400. Or stop by the office at AC-1A-12.

Now Under Consideration

JAJA'S African Hair Braiding by Jocelyn Bioh

Jaja’s African Hair Braiding in Harlem is a salon full of funny, whip-smart, talented women ready to make you look and feel nice-nice. On this particularly muggy summer day, Jaja’s rule-following daughter Marie is running the shop while her mother prepares for her courthouse, green-card wedding—to a man no one seems to particularly like. Just like her mother, Dreamer Marie is trying to secure her future; she’s just graduated high school and all she wants to do is go to college. While Marie deals with the customers’ and stylists’ laugh-out-loud drama, news pierces the hearts of the women of the salon, galvanizing their connections and strengthening the community they have longed to make in the United States.

Critic’s Pick!...Hot and hilarious…a riotously funny workplace comedy.

Wickedly entertaining…a sparkling ensemble comedy as tautly woven as one of the intricate hairdos in Jaja’s Harlem salon.

Bioh pays tribute to the bonds women share...You will be entertained, enlightened, and moved.

Bristling with wit and drama...has all the energy and rich character interplay that her excellent award-winning, School Girls; or, The African Mean Girls Play, possessed.

Bioh breathes both joy and grief into these women within her stellar script, giving them each their own distinct personalities and lived-in experiences…The result is a play that is equally as affecting as it is hilarious.

Character Descriptions

• All characters are of Black American and/or West African descent.
• 9 women, 1 man

AJA, 40s+. Senegalese; owner of the shop. The backbone and/or saving grace of everyone in the shop. Getting married today in city hall to Steven-the landlord of a local building.

MARIE, 18. Jaja's daughter. who runs the shop for her mother, has a lot of weight on her young shoulders because of her circumstances. Secretly wants to be a writer; has a fun and silly side but is firm and assertive when needed-especially with the women in the shop.

BEA (pronounced "Bee"), 40s. Ghanaian; has been at the shop the longest; the neighborhood gossip with an unpredictable attitude­ she seems addicted to causing drama but is rarely ever wrong.

MIRIAM, early to mid-20s. Sierra Leonean; very kind and seemingly quiet on the surface, but has a fierce spirit underneath her shell; loves the idea of love and is the epitome of an optimist

AMINATA, 30s. Senegalese; fun, sexy, and charming. She loves her job and is good at it but also loves to hang out at the shop as well. The shop is both her job and her favorite place to be social. Has a tumultuous and passionate marriage; Bea's sidekick in gossip and drama when necessary.

NDIDI (pronounced "IN-Dee-Dee"), late 20s/early 30s. Nigerian; the young spitfire; she dresses the youngest and braids the fastest. Everyone at the shop knows that she makes the most money and that doesn't always go over well with everyone-namely Bea.

JENNIFER, 20s. Black American; aspiring journalist; comes to the shop wanting to get micro braids and is in the shop all day; incredibly patient and caring.

VANESSA, 30s. Super rude customer that no one wants to deal with.

Also plays:

SHEILA, 30s. The friendly but loud-talking businesswoman. She enjoys a little gossip like the next person.

RADIA (pronounced like "Nadia''), 18ish. One of Marie's former classmates.

MICHELLE, 20s. The nervous client who doesn't want trouble and just wants to get her hair done peacefully.

Also plays:

CHRISSY, 30s. Really wants braids that will "make her look like Beyonce.”

LANIECE, 20s. A regular at the shop; works as a DJ so she always gets funky braid styles. She likes to have a good time and loves a good meal.

JAMES, 30s. Ghanaian; Aminata's on-again, off-again husband who clearly takes advantage of her.

Also plays:

FRANKLIN, THESOCKMAN, 30s. Black American; quick­ talking and friendly neighborhood salesman just trying to make a living.

OLU, THEJEWELRYMAN, 30s. Nigerian; a shy, honest man just trying to make a living; has a bit of a crush on Ndidi.

ERIC, THE DVD MAN, 30s. Senegalese; the caring DVD man who looks out for his friends