Apply to The Hatchery 2026

Develop your theater piece with a new works development festival
centering music and movement

What is The Hatchery? Watch our vid

Hatchery details

Now in it’s third year, The Hatchery is a new works development program and festival which happens the weekend before Labor Day at The Judy, home of Northwest Childrens Theatre and School, in downtown Portland, OR.

We present two projects; one is commissioned by the company and the other is a community sourced project.

This community sourced project is chosen by application.

The Hatchery seeks to support new theater works that feature an innovative use of music/movement as an integral part of theatrical storytelling. Individuals and groups of devisers, makers, and movement-based theater artists are in particular encouraged to apply, particularly if your process doesn’t adhere to a traditional, script-based model.

Some other things to know

Here’s how the logistics of The Hatchery break down:

April-July, 2026: Paid development period for creative leads, consisting of monthly production meetings and support
August 16-30, 2026: 25-32 paid rehearsal hours with actors, stage manager, and other creative personnel over a 11-day period within a span of two weeks
Limit of five actors in the project cast
Approximately one 4 hour tech
No scenic design, limited lighting design, no costume design, materials budget limited to $100
August 29-30, 2026: 2 public performances