Organizer Information
The PET Ensemble (PETE – Performance Ensemble Theater) is an interdisciplinary performance organization based in Portland, Oregon. The ensemble is dedicated to advancing contemporary performance practices through training, collaborative creation, and experimental theater-making. PETE operates as both a production platform and an educational environment, supporting artists in developing new performative languages that respond to present-day social, political, and cultural conditions. Through its Institute for Contemporary Performance (ICP), PETE offers an intensive framework for artistic research, skill-building, and collective production, positioning itself as a laboratory for innovative live art practices.
Title & Description
Institute for Contemporary Performance (ICP) 2026–2027 – Open Call
Applications are now open for the 2026–2027 cohort of the Institute for Contemporary Performance (ICP), a one-year, intensive training and certificate program focused on contemporary theater and performance-making.
The ICP program is designed as both a pedagogical environment and an artistic incubator, supporting the development of new performance works while cultivating critical and experimental approaches to live art. The curriculum centers on what PETE describes as the “Possibility Mind”—a conceptual framework that encourages artists to observe, question, create, and liberate new forms of performance.
Over the course of two semesters (31 weeks), participants engage in a rigorous schedule of classes, workshops, and collaborative laboratory sessions. The program addresses key questions such as:
- How can live performance respond to contemporary realities?
- How does studio practice intersect with community and public space?
- How can performance bridge physical, virtual, and emotional distances?
The second semester culminates in a collectively produced Performance Festival, where participants present original works developed during the program. This final component emphasizes not only artistic creation but also production skills, including proposal writing, project development, and collaborative execution.
Categories
- Performance Art
- Experimental Theater
- Live Art
- Interdisciplinary Performance
- Devised Theater
- Movement / Embodied Practices
Eligibility
- Open to international and U.S.-based applicants
- Suitable for emerging and mid-career artists
- Applicants should have a background in performance, theater, or related disciplines
- Strong interest in collaborative, process-driven creation is essential
- No specific age restriction mentioned
- Applicants must be able to commit full-time to the program in Portland, Oregon
Program Benefits & Awards
- Enrollment in a one-year professional training program (certificate)
- Access to structured curriculum (20 class hours per week)
- Participation in collaborative laboratory and research processes
- Opportunity to develop and present new performance work
- Production and presentation within a final Performance Festival
- Mentorship and training with ICP faculty and guest artists
- Development of artistic, conceptual, and production skills
- Integration into an international network of performance practitioners
Application Fee (Tuition)
- $4,500 per semester
- $9,000 total for the full program (2026–2027)
Application Requirements
- Completed application form (download required)
- CV / Resume
- Portfolio (documentation of previous work)
- Statement of interest or motivation
- Additional supporting materials as requested
How to Apply?
- Download the application form Here.
- Submit all materials via email to: jacob@petensemble.org
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 1 June 2026
- Info Session:
- Date: May 21, 2026
- Time: 5:00 – 6:30 PM
- Format: In-person (RSVP required via email)
- Program Duration:
- September 2026 – May 2027 (31 weeks)
Location
Portland, Oregon, United States
Additional Details
- The program requires a significant time commitment, including additional laboratory hours beyond scheduled classes
- Emphasis is placed on collective creation and ensemble-based methodologies
- The curriculum integrates artistic research, composition, and embodied practice
- Participants are expected to engage deeply in both creative and production processes
- The final festival acts as a professional platform for presenting new work