Into The Portal
Creative Residency • Production Vehicle • Festival Framework
A professional, portfolio-selected creative residency bringing together exceptional creators across performance, storytelling, and production to collaborate as an ensemble and produce original, visually compelling work rooted in place, culture, and imagination. Each edition functions as both a production vehicle and festival framework, supporting paid creative work, public engagement, and a clear pathway into professional creative industries through a scalable, protected model.
The Portal Tree Chronicles- Our Current Project
Our flagship production for this cycle is a story of magical realism and modern discovery. In a world where jumping through history is as simple as turning a page, a prince’s hilarious temporal prank on his younger self collides with the gritty realism of two performers discovering that while time can be bypassed, the weight of the human heart cannot. While we are launching this season in Saint John, this project serves as the live proof of concept for our creative development framework.
15 Seasons In Development
120 episodes across a multiverse in various stages – some complete, some partial, some outlined
Adaptation Competition
Residency teams compete to create the best adaptations – winners get their versions professionally produced
Multi-Realm Universe
Three interconnected worlds supporting multiple storylines, character arcs, and creative opportunities
Phoenix & Colten
Phoenix & Colten: A Creative Journey Inside the Portal
Two artists. One portal. A story of trust, risk, and the unseen threads that bind us.
Phoenix & Colten isn’t just a miniseries – it’s a living, collaborative process. Set against the winter streets and waterfront of Saint John, this magical-realist story follows two artists whose partnership begins in movement and evolves into a deep exploration of trust, risk, and transformation.
As a residency participant, you’ll help shape this world. The series invites contributions from dancers, musicians, designers, writers, and makers; through rehearsals, site-specific performances, and community-driven scenes. From aerial work over the harbour to intimate studio sequences, your artistry becomes part of a tapestry that blends real places with mythic spaces like the Portal Tree: a living tower above the sea where stories are written into the wind.
This is an opportunity to:
- Collaborate across disciplines in a process that values improvisation and co-creation.
- Work on location in Saint John’s historic architecture and waterfront.
- Push boundaries with vertical movement, immersive design, and poetic storytelling.
- Leave your mark on a series that premieres February 14, 2027, as both a finished work and a record of creative evolution.
If you’re drawn to risk, beauty, and the idea that art can bridge worlds, Phoenix & Colten is your invitation.
The Complete Portal Experience
01
Creative Residency
September (1 Month)
Intensive Residency
Live-in creative residency where participants develop projects and compete for miniseries roles
Creative Challenges
Collaborative challenges testing creativity, teamwork, and business skills
Build Your Business
Develop collaborative projects with shared ownership frameworks
Establish Protection
Legal frameworks, mental health support, and community connections
02
Production
October – December
Adaptation Competition
Teams adapt original YSSL stories – best adaptations chosen by review board and public
Professional Production
Winning adaptations get professionally produced with full cast and crew
Collaborative Ownership
Winning teams become co-owners of their adaptations alongside original creator
Multi-Format Content
Stories adapted across formats: series, films, books, digital content
03
Streaming Release
December & Following Year
Portal Festival
December celebration showcasing the complete Portal journey and premiering episodes
Global Streaming
8-part series streams online with international distribution
Revenue Sharing
All participants share in streaming revenue and licensing opportunities
Annual Cycle
Each year brings new Portal cohort and new season possibilities
Perfect For
Creative Entrepreneurs
Designers, makers, content creators, trades people and people in administrative roles ready to build sustainable businesses
Emerging Artists
Musicians, performers, media creators with industry ambitions
Digital Creators
Platform creators, influencers, digital entrepreneurs
Media Professionals
Filmmakers, writers, producers, storytellers
Technical/Trades
Engineers, fabricators, 3D printing
Business Ops
Accounting, finance, funders, lawyers
Complete Portal Benefits
Meet Kaabisha Thavakumar she is a recent graduate of Western University in Ontario and one of the emerging creative professionals currently working on The Portal Tree Chronicles. Through the Into the Portal framework, Kaabisha is bridging the gap between academic training and a professional media career, gaining the high-level infrastructure, resources, and industry visibility that typically take years to access.
By participating in the Into the Portal Artist Residency, you gain direct access to a comprehensive professional ecosystem designed to launch your career:
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Hands-on, Commercial-Scale Production: Gain professional-grade credits by working on a high-value, market-ready miniseries destined for global streaming platforms.
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Intensive Professional Training: Receive advanced training and mentorship across all aspects of production, from performance to technical and leadership roles.
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Industry Visibility and Networking: Showcased as a key collaborator at our festival, providing direct interaction with the general public and potential professional collaborators.
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High-Level Infrastructure & Resources: Utilize professional facilities, equipment, and production resources that provide a competitive edge in the market.
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Career Advancement Opportunities: Access a pathway from artistic potential to a sustainable local industry, positioning you for long-term professional success within the creative sector.
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A “Live Movie Set” Public Engagement: Participate in a unique model where the production process is the main event, creating unprecedented visibility and community buzz around your work.