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A Dollop of Dance: A Photo Essay on Subcircle’s Innovative Performing Arts Program
ARTS ENGAGEMENT
Photo credit: Subcircle
In 1999 in Philadelphia, artists Niki and Jorge Cousineau created Subcircle, a performing arts organization that unites the power of dance with the beauty of experimental set design and lighting. Fifteen years later, the Cousineaus purchased a farm in Biddeford with longtime Philly collaborator Scott McPheeters, who shared their vision for an artist residency program. McPheeters, who grew up in Biddeford Pool, joined Subcircle then as co-director.
Today, Subcircle is a robust and vibrant Maine-based arts organization that provides workshops, performance events, and artist residencies in addition to creating its own dance work. But the organization also offers something a little more rare: Dollop.
Dollop supports Maine-based choreographers making new work. After a pilot year, the Onion Foundation awarded a grant to Subcircle to fund artist fees and administration for two cohorts. Artists receive a stipend of $3,000 each, up to 20 hours of rehearsal time at Subcircle, video documentation of their work, and dedicated time for three works-in-progress performances.
In the first showing, held at Subcircle’s barn, a small audience gathered to watch new work from three performing artists and provided feedback on what they saw. The second showing, this year at Casco Bay Movers, grew the work, providing a slightly larger audience and more involved lighting capabilities.
By the third and most technical showing (this year at SPACE Gallery), performers have evolved their work to completion, built a community of engaged supporters, and grown as artists. With feedback and facilitated discussions along the way, Dollop offers a vital opportunity for performers to develop both artistic work and community at once.
Session 1: Emerging Work at the Subcircle Residency
In the first showing, dancers perform their work in front of a crowd of about a dozen people, who then ask the performers questions and share observations to help them develop their work further. In this image, Anne Tantuico, Gem Tantuico, and Sara Liebau present “Are You at a Crossroad?"
Photo credit: Scott McPheeters
Subcircle’s beautiful barn provides an intimate space for performers to both practice and show their artistry. Here, past Dollop dancers Holly Taylor and Eliana Madwed practice “The Sock Network.”
Photo credit: Scott McPheeters
The Dollop program uplifts performing artists, giving them a community of other creatives to lean on and learn from. In this image, several Dollop dancers and friends gather to connect after a practice session.
Photo credit: Scott McPheeters
Session 2: Refining the Work at Casco Bay Movers
The second showing takes place at Portland’s Casco Bay Movers, which offers more lighting capabilities and a larger audience to provide feedback on the performers’ work. Here, Anne Tantuico, Gem Tantuico, and Sarah Liebau perform “Are You at a Crossroad?”
Photo credit: Niki Cousineau
Performers test out their work in progress, sharing new artistic ideas as they develop their performances through the second showing. During the second phase of the program, Jessie Laurita-Spanglet and Tristan Koepke, seen here, performed their work, “Two Tall Bodies.”
Photo credit: Niki Cousineau
Part of what makes the Dollop program so special is that it fosters community dialogue and gives dancers a chance to share their artistic process in a safe, collaborative environment. This image features Dollop dancers Sarah Liebau, Gem Tantuico, Anne Tantuico, Jenny Dignan, Jessie Laurita-Spanglet, and Tristan Koepke speaking with moderator Sara Juli at Casco Bay Movers.
Photo credit: Scott McPheeters
Session 3: Final Performances at SPACE
SPACE Gallery provides full set design and lighting capabilities for performers’ third showing. Here, Jenny Dignan performs “And Then We Went Back to the House” at the final show on May 8, 2026.
Photo credit: Scott McPheeters
The third session of the program showcases refined work — feedback has been applied, audiences have grown, and dancers have evolved. In this image, Anne Tantuico, Gem Tantuico, and Sara Liebau perform the final rendition of their work, “Are You at a Crossroad?”
Photo credit: Scott McPheeters
The Dollop program culminates in final performances, but the work doesn’t stop there. Subcircle helps connect performers with other opportunities and encourages artists to continue honing their craft. Here, Tristan Koepke and Jessie Laurita-Spanglet perform a refined “Two Tall Bodies” at SPACE.
Photo credit: Niki Cousineau