Portland, ME
A New Kind of Regenerative Artist Residency
June 10 - August 9 2026
A Holistic Performing Artist Residency
We’re re-imaging the future of the art form, and what empowering the next generation of performing artists looks like.
We are seeking a diverse group of all types and styles of performing artists and creators to devise together: actors, dancers, singers, instrumentalists, creatives, and production.
Each artist also receives time and space each week to develop projects that are regenerative to themselves, their communities, and their neighborhoods. Connect back to yourself, a community of regenerative artists, and to nature through the beautiful Maine seaside landscape.
Learn more about Hogfish
Past RESIDENCIES & Projects
Each Artist will receive:
A role in WHOLLY UNWINDING, by three time Hogfish artist-in-residence Hailey McAvoy, our 2026 flagship production. This is the first piece developed from a regenerative arts seed project by a Hogfish artist-in-residence into a flagship summer production.
Individual Regenerative Time & Space. Rehearsals for the group flagship show will generally be 1-6pm, Monday-Friday. Other times can be devoted to individual artists’ regeneration and projects.
Production support: inclusion in “Regenerative Arts Seed Project” dedicated to supporting artists to create work that is regenerative to them, presented on a works-in-progress evening to the public. Archival video and photos and facilitated audience feedback.
Opportunities to sign up for individual sessions in Alexander Technique, Reiki, and more
Compensation: $500/week, $100/day favored nations for all artists-in-residence
Housing: single occupancy apartments with full kitchens, w/d, and bathroom in downtown Portland within walking distance to rehearsal venue and cafes, restaurants, and grocery stores.
Travel/Wellness: one time per diem stipend upon signing of $500 to be allocated as is most helpful to the artist
Each day will start off with individual regenerative time for each artist to explore their own creative projects with the support of Hogfish staff and artists as needed. This includes time in nature, sign-ups for private Alexander Technique sessions, freedom to use the rehearsal space for your own projects, and more.
After lunch is company rehearsal for the flagship production. Rehearsals start with the full company exploring what the regenerative arts means at Hogfish - exploring mindfulness, ecology, Alexander Technique, hands-on teaching, short lectures, games, anatomy in action, group critical response work on each other’s “seed projects”, group processing, and more. In addition, we invite each member of the team to lead the group in their own regenerative practices of choice, learning from each other.
In search of a feeling of collective belonging while in residence, we ask that each artist share something of their own specialty with the company for a total of 3 hours/week. This could be offering your own healing modalities, working in the garden, cooking, cleaning, offering administrative support, etc.
Performance Opportunities
CURATED CONCERTS: There will be a few concerts throughout the summer, featuring thematically programmed performances. Our annual season-fund-raiser Kegs & Roses in the Beckett Castle rose garden features performances that are focused on the natural world - the nearby crashing waves, the rocky coast, gardens, and of course flowers and roses.
REGENERATIVE ARTS SEED PROJECT: We ask each artist to bring an idea for a personally regenerative project that they would like to develop while in residence during the summer. Artists may use other artists-in-residence for their project or work individually. If desired and deemed ready in consultation with Hogfish staff, artists can share their work with a small invited audience on our “Regenerative Arts Seed Project” series and receive facilitated audience feedback for further development. Select artists may be invited back in future seasons or for further winter residencies to continue developing their projects, and when the time is right to present a more fully produced production of their individual projects.
FLAGSHIP PRODUCTION: Each season we produce a flagship production jointly created with our artists-in-residence.
2026 Flagship Production
“Wholly Unwinding” by Hailey Mcavoy
For our fifth season, Hogfish is proud to announce that we will be presenting for the first time, a flagship production that started as a regenerative arts seed project by a Hogfish artist-in-residence. Wholly Unwinding is a multi-genre work that defies categorization - part opera, part musical, part folk concert, part story-telling around the campfire for three voices, dancers, and chamber ensemble with music and libretto by Hailey McAvoy.
The story explores Hailey’s experiences growing up with Cerebral Palsy and her reconnection to embodiment through Alexander Technique through a series of poetic, psychedelic tableaux carried by songs and accompanied monologues. Themes include laying down armor, saying f*ck it to the medical model of disability, self-agency and reclamation, and the power of community. The three singers and dancers play students and friends on the journey together.
The songs range in style - influenced by opera, chant, folk, gospel, and soul. (This show has been described as a cross between Maria Callas and Joni Mitchell.) Singers and players ideal for the project have experience playing in multiple genres. Singers should have theatrical sound production that can be heard and understood without amplification.
CASTING FOR
For this production, we are particularly interested in spotlighting artists with disabilities, though artists of all abilities will be considered! Please share with communities and artists you think may be interested.
THREE SINGERS: A soprano/high voice cover for Hailey McAvoy (Ab3-B5), a mezzo/medium voice (A3-A5), and a contralto/countertenor/low voice (Gb3-D5). The majority of the music sits on the staff, emphasizing middle & bottom registers. The majority of the music sits on the staff, emphasizing middle & bottom registers (G3-G5). Main styles include classical/legit, folk, soul, and spiritual. All ensemble members will play simple percussion at times. (Rain sticks, singing bowls, wind chimes.)
VIOLIN & CELLO: Violin and cello parts will be workshopped during the residency. We seek players who are excited about diving into diverse styles and co-creating string parts that are idiomatic, expressive, and virtuosic.
TWO DANCERS: Dancers comfortable with devising and choreographing in diverse styles that match the music are highly encouraged to apply.
For application requirements, please visit our apply page.
Hogfish Resonance Podcast Episode
Learn more about the Hogfish artist residency and Hailey McAvoy by listening to our Hogfish Resonance Podcast episode with Hailey “re(SYNERGIZE): Embodiment and Visibility in the Creative Process”.