The Matrescence Project
presented by MoJo Co.Lab
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We're a team of passionate thinkers and creatives from northeast Ohio dedicated to creating collaborative, innovative, and provocative contemporary dance theatre within our community. MoJo Co.Lab values making dance-based art in highly collaborative, curious, supportive, accessible spaces.
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We believe in keeping things honest, organic, and human. The Matrescence Project begins with listening and ends with something we're proud to share and experience both as individuals and as a community. As a collaborative community, our first goal is to explore the journey of matrescence from the individual's perspective and witness the range of emotions experienced in the identity of motherhood. Next, we want to create an honest dialogue about the emotional hardship of motherhood, both to encourage new mothers and validate non-mothers. Throughout the process we hope to reduce the shame experienced by people regardless of their relationship to the identity of motherhood and deepen both self respect and respect for people who make different choices. Additionally, we want to strive to create a space that encourages people to explore the identity of motherhood with a freedom to feel all feelings: both positive and negative, in order to reduce shame and enhance connections between participants.
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In seeking local artists, dancers, writers, movers, and all creative people who want to explore the journey with and through motherhood: matrescence, we will hold several free and open workshops where interested participants will engage with the project research, phrases and prompts of movement, writing, improvisation, and more. This could be anyone who identifies as a mother, those who have spent time considering how the identity of motherhood would affect their life, OR as well as birthing or nonbirthing parents who do not use the word “mother” to describe themselves. From seasoned dance artists to people who are completely new to the performing arts world, we want to work with those who care about the story of this project and share theirs as well. In a time with such division and a project with sensitive subject matter, we deeply value those who can help foster positive community engagement and a supportive creative environment.
All are welcome and invited!
The Matrescence Project invites you to an inclusive multifaceted experience to get an intimate look at the creative process and a sneak peek of what MoJo Co.Lab is working on. Comprising a team of 15 artists, we invite you to share your evening with us through observation, curiosity, movement, writing, performance, and community dialogue. So bring a friend, sit back, enjoy a snack, create some art, and talk to us about what we're creating!
September 2, 2026
5:30-8:00PM
About the Event
Collaborating Artists, Olivia Eberhart and Morgan Joanne Grube, present The Matrescence Project’s dance-theater work in progress.
Event Address:
Inlet Dance Theatre,
2937 W 25th St, Unit D
Cleveland, OH 44113
(Lot and street parking available)
Event Details:
5:30pm-6:00pm Open rehearsal viewing. Feel free to arrive anytime within this time frame
6:00-7:00pm Immersive experience of the process inviting you to move, write, and draw
7:00-7:30pm Performance presentation of the work-in-process
7:30-8:00pm Closing open discussion guided by collaborative artists Olivia Eberhart and Morgan Joanne Grube with the cast of The Matrescence Project. At this time we will invite you to share your thoughts and observations about the work and general experiences surrounding the topic and journey of motherhood: Matrescence.
ALL ARE WELCOME AND INVITED!
The Process
This journey begins with 6 open workshops and 3 casting workshops between March - May of 2026. Rehearsal processes will be scheduled throughout June - August of 2026. Exact scheduling will depend on cast availability, among other factors. Dates, locations, and links to RSVP for the workshops are listed below. The Work
This work will be a site-specific, dance for stage that returns agency and shares the identity with and through motherhood: Matrescence. Building with local artists throughout northeast Ohio, MoJo Co.Lab will combine choreographic knowledge, experimental set and prop design, and collaborative storytelling to grasp and share some of the misunderstood and unseen individual experiences of motherhood through a 21st century feminist, queer, and earth grounded perspective.
Performers will be compensated for performance days.
The Team
Morgan Joanne Grube
Artistic Director and Choreographer -
Morgan is a Cleveland-based movement artist and performer with a BFA in dance performance and choreography from Kent State University. Her creative practice of 12 years has included work with children, youth, adults, people with and without disabilities, caregivers, and people with dementia and Alzheimer's disease in settings ranging from private dance studios for youth and professional dance artists to assisted living homes. Recently, Morgan’s work has focused on collaborating on movement art projects within her community along with providing youth and people with and without disabilities a platform to express themselves and their artform through her community-based project, MoJo Co.Lab. For 5 years, she worked for Cleveland-based integrated dance company, Dancing Wheels Company, where she performed as a full time dance company member, class instructor, rehearsal director, and the company's wardrobe manager/designer. Since stepping aside from these roles, Morgan has focused on her own ever-evolving creative endeavors driven by inclusivity, empathy, candor, community creation, and collaborative environments. This includes collaborating on dance films, movement projects for new mothers, performing and hosting work about difficult topics, and continuing her work on her project, MoJo Co.Lab. Her goals are to further enrich her stills working within diverse communities and continuing her journey of celebrating the boundlessness of art, exploration, and expression for all.
Instagram: @mojo_grube
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Olivia is a theater artist and researcher who was a teaching artist, director, and playwright for several organizations in Cleveland before she became a mother. Having begun this radical transformation, she cannot look away and has turned the attention of her research and creativity on the journey to and through motherhood. She brings experience with various movement techniques, devised theater, and her own journey to this work. She hopes to help participants connect to each other, the published research, and their own bodies to help us all make and find meaning of Matrescence.
Instagram: @oblivia_eberhart
Olivia Eberhart
Creative Director and Vision Board Director Celina Naima Speck
Administrative AssistantThere are many ways to be involved!
There are many ways to be involved!
Donate Materials
Materials we need:
Baby sound machine
Adult and kids backpacks
Carpet and/or carpet remnants
Long tulle fabric
Baby and adult size wipes
Metal bucket
Kids squeaky toys and rattles
Patterned clothes, loose dresses, button ups, robes
Journals and note pads
Writing utensils (pens/pencils/makers)
Towels (new or used/clean)
20x20 and 20x30 tarps
Monetary donations for dirt, moss carpeting, set design, and more.
Why give?
YOU DO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
Your donation creates real, measurable change in the lives of those who are creating to heal and healing to create. This project is our community that we love and support. Our goal is to share our art with those who wish to support difficult and essential conversations.
BEING PART OF THE ART
Your contribution reaches further than the exchange. It informs our art, our choices, and becomes part of our world on stage. Your contribution, no matter how big or small, embellishes our creation and is part of a community looking to face difficult issues in our society and individual lives.
INSPIRING OTHERS
Your gift inspires family, friends, and colleagues to do the same or even to join a movement community around them. Our mission drives beyond the exchange. You’re an inspiration to the project as a whole to its creators, writers, viewers, and those who have yet to become inspired. Your support fuels progress and hope where it’s needed most.
Click the button below to fill out our form and connect with us about donating materials.
Please note that contributions made to MoJo Co.Lab/MoJo Groove LLC are not tax deductible.
Volunteer
What can volunteering mean to us?
Performance/Show support
Prop and set design assistance
Distributing programs
Greeting, ushering
Selling tickets
Videography and Photography
Stage safety hands
Assisting in set up and strike of dress/tech rehearsals and performances
Prop, Set Design, Costume Support
Costume maintenance: sewing skills, washing/dry cleaning, costume notes, etc.
Set up and take down of props/set design
Set design
Community Outreach + Promotion
Distributing flyers
Promoting events: in-person and on social media
Workshop / Rehearsal Support
Assisting with sound and props
Flow of rehearsal support
Videography and photography support
Supervising + morale support
Note taking
Any other assistance to the directors that would be discussed and agreed upon within the rehearsal or workshop space.
Incentives include: free admission to performances, volunteer merch, volunteer or title recognition in our program and website, and resume reference(s), and more.
If any of these tasks spark your interest or if you would like experience doing any of these roles, please reach out to us at mojogroovement@gmail.com! We look forward to hearing from you!
- Olivia + Morgan
Why volunteering matters to The Matrescence Project.
First of all, we honestly cannot do this without you. We are just two artists making art with and for our community with hopes to create connection, healing, and dialogue to dismantle the false ideas and incorrect realities of how motherhood is perceived. This is why volunteering matters so greatly to this project. Your efforts provide vital support for the massive identity shifts and mental health challenges many mothers and potential mothers face.
By being involved, not only would you make a tangible impact on the creation process and in people’s lives, but you will give people—and yourself—a meaningful experience. No matter your experience or skill level, your willingness to be involved propels the support within the arts exponentially. Your effort and time validates experiences and supports mental and physical health.
Now, volunteering isn’t just about us. Volunteering creates a powerful two-way benefit, strengthening our mission and communities while enhancing mental and physical well-being of everyone involved— including you. It fosters connection, reduces stress, builds valuable skills and knowledge, and boosts self-confidence, while providing vital support to our mission and journey. Becoming involved enhances your own community as well! It’s a chance to socialize, build connections, and meet people along the way who may support your endeavors in the future. Volunteering grows the community and brings us together so that we can ALL move forward.
If you are interested in volunteering with us please reach out by clicking the button below.