The HairStory Story
In 2021, Maria James-Thiaw saw disturbing statistics like this and knew it was time for another American Griot Project. This time, the oral histories she would collect were those of people with 4C hair - People of African descent. The story she continued to hear was one of microaggressions, discrimination, and sadness. At the same time, there was pride, self-love, culture, and tradition. This was a story that needed ot be told.
So she conducted research and transformed the stories she heard into poems for the stage.
HairStory: Reclaiming Our Crown follows the character Aleyah as she is told to cover a topic for the news organization she works for. The topic, "Black Hair," seems frivolous to her at first, until the Ancestors start talking and the stories of folks with African-textured hair begin to come to life.
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"Will Aleyah let her ancestors guide her out of trauma, & into truth?"
TESTIMONIALS
"This production is a powerful piece of visual and performance art that tells a story that is filled with passion, emotion, and the convergence of past, present, and hope for the future."
Andrea Stephenson, Broadway World
When I saw the show HairStory, Reclaiming our Crown, earlier this year, written by the incredibly talented Maria James-Thiaw, I told the audience about the impact of hair discrimination on my sisters. I’m so proud to support my colleague Rep. La'Tasha D. Mayes and Speaker Rep. Joanna McClinton as we vote today in the PA House to Pass the Crown Act."
Justin Flemming, PA House of Representatives
C.R.O.W.N. Act Day, 2024, the cast of HairStory: Reclaiming Our Crown, with African dancer Lark Daniel, playwright Maria James-Thiaw, and representatives La'Tasha D. Mayes and Morgan B. Cephus. This event was held in the IMAX theatre of the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts and sponsored by The Harrisburg PA Chapter of The Links Incorporated.
Meet The Cast & Crew
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Ebony Woman 1
Kalaya Stroud
Kalaya Stroud (Production Assistant and Ebony Woman 1) is an artist, sculptor, certified reiki healer, ready to make her remarkable debut. Born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia, Kalaya discovered her passion for the performing arts through chorus, ballet, hip-hop, jazz, and gymnastics, while balancing her gracefulness with strength and discipline through Martial Arts. Kalaya thrives while serving her community through ecstatic dance, flow arts, intuitive singing, sound healing, and reiki sessions. Kalaya lives for collaboration with creative individuals, and she is filled with gratitude to be a part of HairStory: Reclaiming Our Crown.
Ebony Woman 2/Aleyah
Alana Cornish
Alana Cornish (Aleyah) Alana’s passion for performance began in childhood, appearing in student productions and later studying the technical side of acting at HACC Theater Program. Her work includes local productions such as Dreamgirls and HairStory: Reclaiming Our Crown at Gamut Theatre Group. She dedicates her performance to her late mother, Vera Cornish, whose endearing words "Dare to Dream!" always offered Alana inspiration. She also enjoys improv as a member of Unshushed Sisters, a collective of Black and Brown women performers. Beyond the stage, Alana has supported productions as a wardrobe stylist for Sankofa Theatre’s Black Nativity and marketing for Hyena Skits sketch comedy show.
Ebony Woman 3
Zari McCullers
​Zari McCullers (Ebony Woman 3), originally from Frederick, MD, is a full-time student earning her PhD in Biomedical Sciences at Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, PA. Zari is a formally trained instrumental musician, having minored in Music Performance - Percussion at Towson University in Baltimore, MD. Zari is so proud to be reprising her theatrical debut role with Reclaim Arts, which she has been a part of since the original May 2023 Gamut Theatre production of HairStory: Reclaiming Our Crown.
Playwright/Producer/Ebony Woman 4
Maria James-Thiaw
Maria James-Thiaw is a spoken word artist, actress, and playwright. She has performed in a number of productions, including Open Stage's Court Street Poetry Jam and For Colored Girls, Sister Art's Women of Strength, and Sankofa's MLK50 production of F.E.W. Harper. In 2019, she co-wrote Bridge {the Gap} with Sharia Benn and played a ghostly poetic voice. Maria is the author of HairStory: Reclaiming Our Crown and the founder of Reclaim Arts.
Ebony Man
Aaron Bromar
Aaron Bomar (Ebony Man) is an experienced performer based in the Harrisburg metro area. His background includes significant involvement in the performing arts, notably as an actor with Open Stage, Gamut Theatre and Futch Entertainment. He has contributed to many theatrical productions, including performances in August Wilson Plays Fences, and Two Trains Running, showcasing his dedication to dramatic interpretation and stage presence. Aaron Bomar is honored to be a part of HairStory: Reclaiming Our Crown.
Amber Man
Joshua "Ari" Selvey
​Joshua "Ari" Selvey (Amber Man), known artistically as Ari De Leo, is a singer, songwriter, and theatrical performer hailing from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Blending music, spiritual insight, and raw emotional presence, they have contributed to local productions and artistic collectives in the Harrisburg region. As a true visionary Ari approaches every role as an opportunity for discovery and connection.
Amber Woman
Vanessa Codurniu
​Vanessa Codorniu (Amber Woman) is a Latina performer, storyteller, and healer whose work bridges theatre, improvisation, and ancestral healing, with over 20 years of experience. She is the creator of LoS CoMpLiCaDoS, appears in the feature film River City Stories, and is currently on tour with her solo show Perra Puta Loca Bruja (NYC-Orlando-San Diego-Harrisburg). Vanessa brings depth, humor, and emotional truth to every role and is honored to be part of HairStory: Reclaiming Our Crown.
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Stage/Tour Manager
Yanni Williams
Yanni Williams (Stage Manager) is a powerhouse Stage Manager, Tour Manager, Producer, Curator, Facilitator, Consultant, and Entrepreneur, and the visionary Founder, Owner, and CEO of Power Choice Productions. Renowned for transforming bold ideas into high-impact experiences, she seamlessly blends creativity, strategy, and execution to elevate artists, brands, and communities. Based in Harrisburg, PA, Yanni also serves as a Board Member of YPOC and Open Stage, where she champions the arts, leadership, entrepreneurship, and pathways for emerging creatives to thrive.
Director
Janet Bixler
​In 2023, she and Maria James-Thiaw staged HairStory: Reclaiming Our Crown at Gamut Theatre and subsequently toured it to several venues. 2018 she and James-Thiaw developed and directed Reclaiming My Time: An American Griot Project. During her six years as Theatre Director of Central Penn College’s Capital Blue Cross Theatre, she facilitated, directed, and produced over 25 productions. As a theatre practitioner of 30+ years, her love is devised theatre: bringing the lived experiences of the participants to life in an original production. It has been a gift to learn from the actors of HairStory: Reclaiming Our Crown and work with a phenomenal creative team.
