MoJo Co.Lab
mo·jo - a magic charm, magic power, or spell
/ˈmōˌjō/
c o m m u n i t y c o l l e c t i v e c o n n e c t i o n c o l l a b o r a t i v e c o n v e r s a t i o n s c o m p a n y
About
MoJo Co.Lab is a Cleveland-based contemporary-theatre movement project, founded in 2021 and directed by awarded and nationally recognized choreographer and inclusivity advocate, Morgan Joanne Grube.
Mission
Meaning magic charm, magic power, or spell, “MoJo” represents the vision, purpose, and commitment to recognizing that movement is created by the individual and that every artist has a profoundly unique and important voice to share.
Meaning a community collecting to connect, collaborate, and share conversations as a company, “Co.” represents the vision, purpose, and commitment to featuring and honoring all artists within the creative space as part of the creative process. Together, with the belief that inclusion leads to creation and innovation, MoJo Co.Lab’s mission is to create space for all creators and those who wish to explore and share their stories by providing performances, creative workshops, and classes reflective of the unique identities of the community within it.
Origin Story
In a time of crisis for the arts community, Morgan Joanne Grube (Dancing Wheels Company, Cardell Dance Theatre, Stilgo Dance + Tech, among others) was compelled to launch a choreographic project to provide hope, connection, expression, healing, and opportunity for the exceptional artists who were displaced by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and at the same time, diversify representation in artistic voices.
“I remember feeling isolated, constrained, and alone.” So with one choreographer, five friends, and a wish to move together safely to express this difficult period; Grube launched a project for movement artists to come together to create, express, connect, and hopefully perform again soon. “If there was something we all learned during that time it was that interaction is crucial to our human existence and that expressing ourselves here and now, was just the beginning of understanding why movement was so important to us.”
With goals to bring local dance artists of Cleveland, OH together to create, connect, and present emotionally and physically charged dance, Grube was inspired to use her artistic voice to manifest hope and empower others while dedicating focus on providing accessible dance to performers and audiences.
Integral to her vision is the representation of the human experience with hopes that the audience sees themselves within the work or propelling them to share conversations; something that was lost during the pandemic shut down.
As a queer woman who spent all of her childhood and young adulthood protecting and hiding parts of her true identity, her vision is dedicated to creating inclusive and accessible spaces for all people.
“Everyone deserves space. Take your space, be true, and scream your story from the depths of your belly.”
Paying homage to her own artistic heritage, Grube blends parts of her first and middle name (MoJo), with the abbreviations “Co.”, (standing for community, collective, connect, collaborate, conversation, company), and “Lab” (laboratory) in the creation of a space devoted to celebrating identity and creating community through creation.
Ambitions
I believe that MoJo Co.Lab can be a bridge for creating collaborative spaces for all mediums and communities of artistic creation and observation.
MoJo Co.Lab’s original focus of contemporary dance is intended to expand and breathe through various art forms anywhere that creativity and community happens.
Furthermore, Grube is dedicated to donation based classes, integrated arts and spaces, promoting dialogue, and inspiring innovative and provocative dance creation for all.
Founding Ensemble
Curated to bring creators, dancers, audiences, and friends together during a time of pure isolation, the founding ensemble represents and showcases the extraordinary versatility, creativity, and resilience of some of Cleveland’s finest contemporary dancers.
OSU, Department of Dance Faculty
“…BY FAR the most provocative and sophisticated work of the evening… I respect your commitment to a danced response to the conditions of contemporary life…with articulation, focus, and authority.”
Post show audience response to the performance of “inside Outsider” in Chicago, IL., 2021
Check out our current and former artists.
“The artists I work with shape how ideas are expressed. As a choreographer, I am not one lone creator in the room. We are a collective exploring, learning, and expressing together.”
- Morgan Joanne Grube on working with The Artists
