WELCOME TO THE 12TH ANNUAL PORTFRINGE POP-UP!
Applications Now Open (Deadline October 31 2026)
Performance Date: Saturday January 23 2027
(Backup Date: Saturday January 30 2027)
let there be art!
In the beginning, there was nothing
For the 12th-annual PortFringe POP-UP, PortFringe FC (PFC) is taking the reins to bring artists of all kinds together for a community-generated, uncensored, and gloriously unpredictable performance inspired by the Genesis creation story.
As PortFringe turns its attention toward preparing for this upcoming summer’s festival, PFC is excited to carry this tradition forward in support of the festival and the independent, adventurous performance community we all believe in.
Whether your contribution is sacred, profane, strange, beautiful, hilarious, or something nobody saw coming, there’s room for you in the creation story.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN. Let’s make something out of nothing.
NEED TO KNOW INFORMATION
POP-UP expectations and logistics have been refreshed to reflect how this cherished community event has evolved over the last decade!
What is POP-UP?
POP-UP brings together artists from across the performing arts for a one-of-a-kind, community-generated performance. In 2027, selected artists will be assigned a section of The Creation Story from the Book of Genesis and independently create a short performance piece. The scenes will come together for the first time in front of a live audience, creating an entirely new retelling of the source text.
Who can apply?
Artists of all performance genres are welcome!
There are two ways to enter the random selection lottery:
- As a team: Six TEAM APPLICANTS will be selected to create and perform a scene. Groups must include at least three participating artists, in order to apply as a TEAM.
- As an individual: Up to eight individual artists will be selected to form a seventh team.
Other Basic Info
- Each scene must fit within an eight-minute limit, including setup and strike.
- Scenes must be able to pop-up and perform in a nontraditional performance space with minimal setup
- Artists must attend (or send a representative) to 2-3 short check-in (zoom) meetings in December and January (dates will be sent to selected Artists)
- Artists may participate in only one scene
- Artists must be available to perform in person in Portland, Maine, in January, with flexibility to adapt to a digital format if necessary.
POP-UP is a fundraiser for PortFringe, and participating artists are not paid. In thanks for their time and talent, each selected team receives 10 tickets to the upcoming PortFringe Festival in June 2027.
**Applications open October 15–31, 2026.** Selected artists will be notified of the lottery results in early November. Full participation details will be provided to selected artists.
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