Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Mandell Professionals in Residence Project (MPiRP)
A Department of Performing Arts collaborative program bringing theatre and dance professionals on to the Drexel campus for performances, production and instruction.
2008 MPiRP Resident Show PROM with New Paradise Laboratories – nominated for a Barrymore Award for Excellence in Theater for Outstanding Movement/Choreography
The Mandell Professionals in Residence Project, which is supported in part by a grant from the Samuel P. Mandell Foundation is an ongoing collaboration with the professional theatre and dance communities of Philadelphia and Drexel University. Members of the Drexel University community will be enriched by the high quality of dance and theatrical productions being offered through MPiRP in the Mandell Theater. In addition to receiving discounted tickets for MPiRP performance events, students will benefit from workshops and opportunities to gain hands on experience with established professionals.
"It's great to be able to get a professional credit to our name at such a young age, and the fact that they (the professional artists) are so willing and so happy to share this with us. It's been a really great experience." Rachel Semigran, Junior - English
"Its completely changed the way I work seeing how they carry themselves in a rehearsal atmosphere and how they carry themselves in performance and I think that it has brought all of us to the next level." Jeremy Toll, Freshman - Music Industry
Click here to hear more about what students and professionals have to say about MPiRP
Philadelphia is fast becoming one of the most important places in the country for innovative and exciting theater and dance. MPiRP will provide valuable space for some of these up and coming performing arts organizations and artists. Drexel hopes to be an artistic home and fill a void for quality performance space in the Philadelphia performance community.
The Pig Iron Theater Company
Residencies vary from a single artist (actor, playwright, director, choreographer, designer) to a full company in residence. The specifics of each residency vary depending on the needs and talents of the particular partners. Each unique collaboration is designed to benefit both Drexel and the professionals with the goal of giving students a unique educational experience and offering the professionals in residence the resources and diverse talents that Drexel has to offer. Professional residencies have full use of the Mandell Theater complex including rehearsal space, along with limited use of scene and costume shops and a 400+ seat proscenium stage with a fly system (Theater Specs).
Current Residency Events:
Theater
World Premiere Production of Bluebird by Maurice Maeterlink with EgoPo Productions in Residence. April 25 – May 10 in the Mandell Theater
Inspired by Maurice Maeterlinck’s epic fairy tale “The Bluebird”, “Bluebird” takes audiences on a journey through fantastical worlds as they follow Mytl and Tytl, two children on a mission to find the Bluebird of Happiness to save a dying child. Brenna Geffers and Lane Savadove, Artistic Director of EgoPo Productions will adapt the play from the original and the show will feature the music of Grammy and Pulitzer Prize winning composer George Crumb and be performed by musicians from Orchestra 2001 celebrating their 20th Anniversary who will be in residence as part of the Rankin Scholar in Residence Program. This is an event not to be missed!
Tickets: $28 general/$5 Drexel students/faculty/staff with ID
For Tickets or information call 800-595-4849 visit www.egopo.org
Current and past MPiRP participants
- EgoPo
- Orchestra 2001
- George Crumb
- The Pig Iron Theatre Company
- New Paradise Laboratories
- Siobhan Davies Dance & Carl Paris - Dance Lecture
- Commonwealth Classic Theatre Company
For more information or to apply to be considered for a residency please email Nick Anselmo