Welcome

I am so pleased to be welcoming the brilliant Jocelyn Bioh back to Berkeley Rep for the third time since I arrived. I believe Jocelyn to be one of the truly definitive voices of her generation, and the wit, warmth, and rigor with which she centers the stories of women, particularly those of the African diaspora, is singular. Jaja’s brought Jocelyn together with director Whitney White for the first time, and it has been a pleasure to see the ways in which these two women have collaborated to create such a compelling world.

The salon at the center of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding is core to the lives of the women the play depicts — familiar to some, new to others, but one at which each of these individuals has arrived in search of care, community, and connection. In this moment in which so many people continue to experience the impacts of the isolation that the last few years of the pandemic brought about, we seek out those increasingly elusive “third spaces” — the places that exist apart from our lives at work or at home — that bring us into relationship with others in our community, both friends and strangers, to build a more expansive, generous sense of the world. These characters find that at the salon. For me, and I hope for many of you, the theatre can be one of those places that allows us to see the world anew, to be in communion with intimates and strangers alike, to live in proximity to the experiences of others, and allow ourselves to be transformed.

So maybe take a moment to say hello to whomever is sitting next to you. Welcome to the shop!

Warmly,

Johanna Pfaelzer | Artistic Director

Welcome to Berkeley Rep and the West Coast premiere of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding!

We’re thrilled to have Jocelyn Bioh’s brilliant work back on our stage, following Goddess and School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play. My personal connection to Jocelyn’s work began in NYC with her Merry Wives at Shakespeare in the Park — the first live theatre I experienced post-pandemic — and later with Nollywood Dreams, which also played at San Francisco Playhouse. Jocelyn has a remarkable gift for blending humor, heart, and sharp social insight, and with Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, she once again immerses us in a world full of culture, humanity, and laughter.

Your presence today helps make Berkeley Rep a home for some of the most vital voices in theatre. It is through your support that we are able to craft ambitious, thought-provoking productions that encourage civic dialogue, spark empathy, and inspire us to see the world in new and surprising ways. As we near the end of the year, I invite you to consider supporting our nonprofit mission with a tax-deductible gift, which will fuel our productions, education programs, and community initiatives.

As you prepare for the holidays, remember — live theatre makes an unforgettable gift! Whether you’re looking for gift certificates, ticket packages, or a special night out, we have options — including the much-anticipated Uncle Vanya featuring Hugh Bonneville, one of four exciting mainstage productions still to come this season.

On behalf of all of us at Berkeley Rep, I wish you and yours a happy, healthy holiday season and a new year filled with joy, connection, and, of course, theatre.

Enjoy the show!

Tom Parrish | Managing Director