October 4, 2010

The Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia held the 16th annual Barrymore Awards Ceremony for Excellence in Theatre on October 4th at the Walnut Street Theatre. Last year’s resident Mandell Professionals in Residence Project (MPiRP) company, Azuka Theatre, was nominated for two Barrymore Awards for their production with the Drexel Players of The Long Christmas Ride Home. Sound designer Christopher Colucci was nominated and won for Outstanding Sound Design for the production. Keith J. Conallen was also recognized with a nomination for Outstanding Leading Actor in a Play for his portrayal of Stephen.

The Mandell Professionals in Residence Project (MPiRP) is a collaborative program bringing theatre and dance professionals to campus for performances, production and instruction.  Drexel students are given opportunities to work side-by-side with professional artists to produce high quality productions. Now in its sixth year, 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. Other collaborators have included Pig Iron Theatre Company and Commonwealth Classic Theatre Company. This year’s residency with 11th Hour Theatre Company will bring a glorious new production of RENT to the Mandell Theater in November. <>Click here<> for more information on MPiRP.