Acclaimed playwright Jocelyn Bioh wins the 2024 Horton Foote Prize for ‘Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,’ a powerful depiction of immigrant stories on Broadway.
Photography by Tess Mayer
New York, NY (September 9, 2024) — Jocelyn Bioh, Ghanaian-American playwright, has been awarded the 2024 Horton Foote Prize for her play, Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, premiered on Broadway in October 2023. Bioh, whose works are known for a vibrant portrayal of African immigrant experiences, will be honored at a private celebration on October 7 at New York’s Lotos Club, receiving a $50,000 prize and a limited edition of Keith Carter’s iconic photograph of Horton Foote.
Bioh’s award-winning play is set in a bustling hair braiding shop in Harlem, a lively hub for the African immigrant community in New York City. The story captures the lives of West African hair braiders as they navigate the challenges of life in the United States, exploring themes of belonging, cultural identity, and the pursuit of the American dream. With humor and heart, Bioh reveals the resilience of those often overlooked, transforming everyday struggles into a story that resonates with many.
According to the Migration Policy Institute, African immigrants represent 4.4% of the total U.S. immigrant population, with New York City being one of the primary hubs. Hair braiding shops, like the one depicted in the play, serve not only as businesses but as cultural centers where the immigrant experience unfolds daily. With Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, Bioh has crafted a narrative that is both specific in its setting and universal in its themes, resonating deeply with audiences.
Bioh, a celebrated figure in American theater, brings her personal perspective as a woman of African descent to her work. She has previously garnered acclaim with School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play, and Nollywood Dreams, plays that similarly explore African identity with wit and poignancy. Her background as the daughter of Ghanaian immigrants informs her storytelling, infusing her works with authenticity and nuance.
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding was commissioned by Williamstown Theatre Festival and premiered under the production of the Manhattan Theatre Club. The play’s Broadway debut in 2023 was met with critical acclaim, earning five Tony nominations, including Best Play. This recognition highlights the industry’s growing appreciation for diverse stories and voices. LaChanze, a Tony Award-winning actress, serves as one of the play’s producing partners, adding further significance to the production as a collaboration between prominent Black artists dedicated to expanding the narrative of African and African American experiences on stage.
The play’s Broadway success marks a significant moment in the representation of African immigrant stories in mainstream American theater. As Jaja’s African Hair Braiding embarks on a multi-city tour starting at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., Bioh continues to pave the way for more immigrant narratives to be told, sharing the rich cultural tapestry of communities that have long been underrepresented.
Judge Kathleen Chalfant, who chaired the panel for the Horton Foote Prize, praised the play for its ability to “seduce all of us with its beauty and humor and great heart,” and for daring “to tell the truth about this difficult place we live.”
Bioh’s writing shines a light on the lives of African immigrants, capturing the small, everyday moments that often go unnoticed. Her ability to blend humor with the harsh realities of immigrant life creates a vivid portrait of communities striving to find their place in America. Through her plays, Bioh elevates voices that are rarely heard on Broadway, turning stories of resilience and hope into powerful narratives that resonate far beyond the theater.
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