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Aba Arthur, posing at College Park MARTA station, plays the titular character of the play "Jaja's African Hair Braiding."
Credit: Amanda Andrews / GPB News
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LISTEN: Atlanta theater brings Broadway to MARTA, showcasing vibrancy of Black storytelling
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LISTEN: The cast and crew of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding previewed selected scenes and original works for commuters at the College Park MARTA station this month. GPB’s Amanda Andrews gives us an audio postcard from the south metro Atlanta area.
Commuters in College Park were presented with a train ride and a show this month when the cast of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding previewed scenes from the play at the MARTA station.
True Colors Theatre company prides itself on uplifting Black storytelling. This month, it's keeping true to that mission by taking its production to the public.
This production of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding was directed by Ibi Owolabi. The original show, written by Jocelyn Bioh, debuted on Broadway in 2023. The play was a critical success for the way its dynamic characters highlighted the full scope of Black womanhood.
Randall Jones, connectivity director for True Colors Theatre, said the company has been having more conversations about accessibility for live performances.
“We know that there are many barriers to the fine arts,” Jones said. “You know, sometimes it's a ticket price, sometimes it's location. We believe that in order to be effective at fulfilling our mission and our vision, then we have to be intentional at addressing those barriers.”
Previously, True Colors has done performances at the Midtown, West End, and Five Points MARTA train stations — performances such as "Mash Up: Classical Power," a collaboration with the Atlanta Opera.
Jaja's African Hair Braiding follows a group of West African immigrant women through their day working at a braid shop in Harlem. Artistic Director Jamil Jude said he wanted to pick a show that would be relevant.
“We knew that whenever we put a play about immigration on stage, it would be important and it would have some relevance,” Jude said. “Even if no one here gives any money or any donations, they got a chance to find the art. And it's a reminder that art adds value to people. Art has value to communities.”
The play uses comedy to reflect on themes of immigration, identity and belonging. Aba Arthur, who plays the titular character Jaja, said she wants this show to spark meaningful conversation.
“So as we talk about immigration, as we talk about foreigners, as we talk about the differences in our hair, it's about learning from each other and not pushing us further apart,” Arthur said.
True Colors Theatre will be performing Jaja’s African Hair Braiding at the Southwest Arts Center in South Fulton as part of a residency through March 9.
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