Congratulations to The Acolyte writer Jocelyn Bioh who has won the 2024 Horton Foote Prize for the play ‘Jaja’s African Hair Braiding’.
Executive director Valerie Brea Ross and founder and prize board chair Mari Marchbanks announced the news Wednesday.
Bioh will be presented the prize by the play’s director, Whitney White, on Oct. 7 at New York’s Lotos Club. The award includes a $50,000 prize as well as a limited edition of Keith Carter’s iconic photograph of Horton Foote. This item is found in the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C..
Williamstown Theatre Festival commissioned “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,” which had its Broadway premiere in October 2023 and earned five Tony nominations, including Best Play.
The play was nominated for the award by the Manhattan Theatre Club.
Regarding Ms. Bioh’s play, Judge Chair Kathleen Chalfant commented: “This play is a perfect example of how the more specific a work of art, the more universal its reach. Jaja takes us into its very particular world and seduces all of us with its beauty and humor and great heart and dares at the end to tell the truth about this difficult place we live.”
Judge Michael Urie continued, “A joyful ride and so funny…Fabulous characters, setting, and action, with a stunning and powerful final turn.”
Image: Tony Awards Red Carpet 2024
