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donae swanson :)

@d.onae

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✨The most whimsical birthday full of MAGIC✨

My 25th Birthday was about much more than going to DisneyWorld. It was about a promise I made to myself to bring the whimsy and magic back into my life that I once had before! Disney has always been my safe space whether it’s the movies, tv shows, or the parks. I can always count on Disney to remind me that though life may be hard it can also be magical! I’m so blessed to have been able to go on this trip! My friends and I were also made Honorary Grand Marshals in honor of my birthday at The DisneyWorld Parade at Magic Kingdom! As tears of joy came down my face it reminded me of how good God is and how I made the right decision on taking my magic back! Thank you to Leilani, Maya, Donae, and Jadyn for being such amazing, beautiful, and supportive friends coming with me on this trip! I love you all so much! To my bestie, thank you for being my everything! There are no words to express my gratitude for how special you made my birthday! Thank you for all the love, late nights, and strength that went into my birthday trip! I love you for life and I’m blessed to have you as my bestie truly!

To my mommy, thank you for reminding me that I will always be royalty inside and out hence my middle name(Reign)! You introducing me to Disney and its magic will always stay with me because you are always my Disney buddy! Thank you for all of your love, sacrifices, and dedication that went into all of my birthday celebrations! You truly made 25 feel special! God truly blessed me when He gave me you! I love you forever and ever! You are my world!

Thank you to all of you for all of the love you’ve shared for me in my 25th year! Hearing and seeing the love has meant the world to me and I don’t take it for granted! It’s been a lot of happy tears with realizing how blessed I am! God is Good! Love you all to infinity and beyond!
✨25 is my year of WHIMSY AND MAGIC✨

Thanks to @disney @disneyparks for bringing back my MAGIC🥰✨

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So much has happened in the span of half a year. I honestly don’t know what angle to begin to speak on it from.

I just have to start by saying I’ve had the honor to meet and work with some of the most incredible people in my life. Powerful, beautiful and inspiring.

As I sit and write this I reminisce of the family I’ve found the friends I’ve made, and perhaps lost, and I still only find myself at loss of words to the profundity of my life’s experience.

This show was a gift. Thank you to everyone in the crew, the creative team, the administrative staff, and the incredible cast and singular director. You all made me feel a welcome part of this special well-oiled machine. A special note to the cast: Thank you for making me family. Thank you for letting me put on the wigs for a night. To the incredible writer: Thank you for your words. To the director: Thank you for your faith and leadership. To the Crew: Thanks for holding us up thanks for the cookouts and thanks for the laughs. To Center Theater Group: Thank you for your deep care and thank you for this dope welcome to LA. To my family: Thanks you for your steadfast love and support. Somehow theater always finds a way to take care of me beyond the immense joy it brings my life.

Thank you for your timing.

Another thanks to Center Theater Group for allowing me to host this workshop. -Special thanks to Natalia. I had a blast working with these incredible artists.

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Congratulations to the cast and company of JAJA’s AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING on an incredible run at the Mark Taper Forum!

We are so thankful to you for sharing this story and for empowering audiences every night here in Los Angeles.

And thank you to all of you, our friends and community members, for supporting the cast and this story. It warms our hearts to see theatre continue to flourish, and we are thankful for everyone’s love and support. ❤️

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How to get away with not losing your mind when @violadavis, Mr. Julius and Genesis come to the show!! Yall. Athis point, my heart is leaping from my chest 😭 #jajasafricanhairbraiding

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Thanks for dropping by the salon, Angela Bassett! ✨❤️

JAJA’s AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING is open for business until NOV 9th! Have you stopped by yet? If not, what are you waiting for?? Come on down to the Mark Taper Forum!

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✊🏽 Our PROGRESS & PROTEST block at the 2025 Staged Reading Festival featured powerful, heartfelt stories that moved audiences and sparked deep reflection.

We showcased THE SEA by Taiwo Aloba, BEFORE WE MARCH by Isis Elizabeth (directed by Kian-Cline Chilton @kian.k.c ), and LOLITA & OTHERS by Analía Romero (directed and choreographed by Alyssa “Ajay” Junious @miss_ajay )— each leaving us inspired and wanting more. 🎭
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👀 Still here? That means you’re one of us:
Our 2026 Script Submission Page is now live! Visit theatricals.org/stagedreadingfestival and share your story with us.

#CCAETheatricals #StagedReadingFestival #NewWorks #TheatreCommunity #ProgressAndProtest #PlaywrightSpotlight #SupportTheArts #EscondidoArts #TheatreLife #PlaySubmission #VoicesOfChange #TheatreForChange

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I had a dream that Angela Bassett came to see our show today…….😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
#jajasafricanhairbraiding

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LA Opening Night✨ @jajasafricanhairbraiding @ctgla

💇🏾‍♀️ : @aprilzaria_
💄: @kelseymonet_mua

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@jajasafricanhairbraiding opening part deux | oct 25’

suit by @elevensixteen designed by @ugomozie

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The salon is OPEN FOR BUSINESS! 💆🏿‍♀️💆🏾‍♀️💕

Congratulations to the cast and crew of JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING on an incredible opening night!

And thank you to you, our community, for showing up and supporting LA Theatre! ❤️

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There are so many iconic lines in JAJA’s AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING! Watch to see our cast’s favorite ones!

JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING begins performances TONIGHT at the Mark Taper Forum! We’ll see you at the theatre!

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THE TONY-WINNING COMEDY DIRECT FROM BROADWAY

Step into the vibrant world of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, a beloved Harlem hotspot where West African immigrant braiders work their magic on the locals’ locks.

Amidst the lively buzz of a scorching summer, love ignites, dreams soar, and secrets unravel.

But beneath the surface of this riotous comedy lies a current of uncertainty, pushing this close-knit community to confront the challenges of being outsiders in their own neighborhood.

From the pen of Tony Award-nominated Ghanaian American playwright Jocelyn Bioh (School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, Kirk Douglas Theatre) and directed by Tony Award nominee and Obie Award winner Whitney White, Jaja’s African Hair Braiding is “a play that is equally affecting as it is hilarious,” hails Entertainment Weekly.

Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
By Jocelyn Bioh
Directed by Whitney White

A co-production with Arena Stage, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater and La Jolla Playhouse

In association with Madison Wells Live and LaChanze

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