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
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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 

“…the most important thing we feel we gained from the Hatchery was the support of the entire Hatchery/Many Hats team, both creatively and logistically. We felt like there was a real investment put into our creative vision that made our growth and success possible.” - Teague Shattuck and Naama Friedman

“…often, I find myself wearing every hat at once—explaining, defending, directing, rewriting, producing, worrying. At The Hatchery, I felt held. I was able to focus solely on writing the play, knowing that I had a team who not only understood what I was making, but cared about nurturing it with gentleness, curiosity, and encouragement. That is an extraordinary gift..” - Josie Seid