The Mandell Professionals in Residence Project (MPiRP) is an Westphal College Department of Performing Art’s collaborative program bringing theatre and dance professionals on to the Drexel campus for performances, production and instruction. Drexel students are given opportunities to work hands on with professional artists to produce high quality productions. Members of the Drexel University community are enriched by the high quality of dance and theatrical productions being offered through MPiRP in the Mandell Theater. Philadelphia is fast becoming one of the most important places in the country for innovative and exciting theater and dance, and MPiRP provides valuable space for some of these up and coming performing arts organizations and artists.

MPiRP’s was founded in 2005 with Pig Iron Theatre Company in residence celebrating their 10^th Anniversary season. Since then MPiRP productions have received four Barrymore Award Nominations for Excellence in Theater for "Prom" with New Paradise Laboratories, "Bluebird" with EgoPo Productions, and "The Long Christmas Ride Home" with Azuka Theatre which was chosen as the winner for Outstanding Sound Design for Christopher Colucci. Other collaborators have included: Commonwealth Classic Theatre Company; 11^th Hour Theatre Company; 1812 Productions, Mauckingbird Theatre Company, Inis Nua Theatre Company, Philadelphia Artists Collective (PAC), Simpatico Theatre Project; Swim Pony Performing Arts; Orchestra 2001; and Pasion y Arte.