MATRESCENCE

A development showing at Hannah Playhouse

A solo show about the collision of early motherhood, migration and art making.

A mother tries to care for her baby. An artist tries to make a show.

MATRESCENCE follows Ella (“she” in Spanish), a migrant theatremaker and new mother trying to remain creatively alive while navigating the demands, exhaustion and disorientation of early motherhood.

Part testimonial, part creative crisis and part documentary, MATRESCENCE is an anti-biography that moves between Ella’s intimate experience of postpartum life and her attempt to make theatre from inside it. She reaches out to other migrant mothers and theatremakers, searching for answers about care, identity, creativity and belonging. But the more stories she gathers, the less this seems to be a story about one woman.

Join us for a special development showing of MATRESCENCE at Hannah Playhouse, a glimpse into the making of this new documentary theatre work. This is an opportunity to experience the work in progress and be part of its creative journey.

Following the showing, we invite you to stay for an informal Q&A - audience conversation. We would love to hear your thoughts, reflections and responses to the work, while opening up a wider conversation about postpartum, care work, and the complexities of motherhood, particularly when home, family and support networks are far away.

The work is informed by research into matrescence, migration and caregiving, interviews, as well as anonymous testimonies from migrant mothers living in Aotearoa.

Please note: This is a work in development showing, not a finished production. Your presence, thoughts and feedback are warmly welcomed and will contribute to the ongoing development of MATRESCENCE.

CREATIVE TEAM

Created and performed by Romina Meneses

Directed by Mel Dodge

Production Managment: Jessie Rochford-Barber

Lights and AV design: Janis Cheng

Sound Design: Alex Quinn

Set and Costume Design: Miho Aragane

Photo by Charlie Jewell

MATRESCENCE is a new documentary theatre work, set to premiere at BATS Theatre as part of NZ Fringe 2027.

MATRESCENCE Development Showing

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