WELCOME TO PORTFRINGE POP-UP!

WHAT’S A PORTFRINGE POP-UP?

POP-UP is a collaborative, community-generated performance of classic work of literature that serves as the  annual fundraiser for PortFringe – Maine’s Fringe Festival.

10 Performance Artists/Companies of all genres, chosen by random lottery, are each assigned one (of 10) sections of a classic work of literature, to present as a short performance piece during the POP-UP event. Each of the 10 scenes are conceived and rehearsed separate from (and without communication from) the other  participating Artists/Companies. The first time all 10 scenes will be presented together will be in front of a live audience at the POP-UP event. The result is an entirely new retelling of the source text, from the diverse perspectives and performance genres of the selected Artists. 

A HISTORY OF PORTFRINGE POP-UP EVENTS
Click here for a list of Past PortFringe POP-UP events, venues,
and participants, click here!

WORKS FROM EDGAR ALLAN POE!

IIn 2025, PortFringe will give Edgar Allen Poe the PO(e)P-UP treatment — the 10th annual POP-UP PORTFRINGE event. We are looking for 10 Artists (Solo Artists or Performing Companies) to perform at an epic, one-night only, danse macabre fundraiser event on April 5, 2025!  POP-UP Performance Artists are not paid for their participation. Each of the 10 Artists/Companies, however, will receive 10 tickets to the upcoming 13th PortFringe Festival in June 2025 as an expression of gratitude for the extraordinary gift of time and  talent that makes this fundraising event such a success each year.

ARTIST APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!

If you are interested in applying to be one of the 2025 POP-UP Artists, you’re in the right place! POP-UP POE applications will be open from October 1 to October 15, 2024, with a random selection lottery draw taking place soon after–all Artists will be notified of their lottery outcome in late October.

VERY BASIC RULES FOR ARTISTS:

• Each individual Artist may only participate in one POP-UP scene.
• Assigned POE sections must be presented in 6 minutes or less and include one line of original text.
• Scenes must be able to POP-UP quickly and GO in a non-traditional theater space (TBA) with only seconds for set-up/strike.
• Artists must be able to perform in-person on April 5, 2025, in Portland (Maine), before a live audience (time and venue TBA). 
• Artists must agree to follow all other rules and policies outlined in the application (below), and maintain excellent communication with PortFringe throughout the process.

POP-UP PHILOSOPHY:
As always, PortFringe is looking for WEIRD, original and unexpected performance work.  If you’re up for the challenge, please apply below!

THE APPLICATION!

NOTE: This is an application to participate in the PORTFRINGE POP-UP POEperformance taking place in April 2025. The 13th PortFringe Festival will be held in June 2025 – application information will be posted soon!

POP-UP POE APPLICATION DEADLINE: Midnight on October 15, 2024