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!

HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN’S THE LITTLE MERMAID

In 2026, PortFringe will give Hans Christian Andersen the POPUP treatment with POPUP: THE LITTLE MERMAID — the 11th annual POP-UP PORTFRINGE event. We are looking for at least 10 Artists (Solo Artists or Performing Companies) to perform at an epic, one-day-only, undersea spectacular fundraiser event on March 21, 2026!  POP-UP Performance Artists are not paid for their participation. Each of the selected Artists/Companies, however, will receive 10 tickets to the upcoming 14th PortFringe Festival in June 2026 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 OPEN OCTOBER 15-31, 2025

If you are interested in applying to be one of the 2025 POP-UP Artists, you’re in the right place! POP-UP PORTFRINGE: THE LITTLE MERMAID applications will be open from October 15 to October 31, 2025, with a random selection lottery draw taking place soon after – all Artists will be notified of their lottery outcome in November.

VERY BASIC RULES FOR ARTISTS:

• Each individual Artist may only participate in one POP-UP scene.
• Assigned THE LITTLE MERMAID 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 March 21, 2026 in Portland (Maine), before a live audience, for two performances (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 POP-UP PORTFRINGE: THE LITTLE MERMAID performance taking place in March 21, 2026. The 14th PortFringe Festival will be held in June 2026 – application information will be posted soon!

POP-UP PORTFRINGE: THE LITTLE MERMAID APPLICATION DEADLINE: Midnight on October 31, 2025