NDPR Featured in KC STUDIO Magazine

Arts News: Influential National Design Portfolio Review, founded by UMKC’s Tom Mardikes, enters its 13th Year

Rebecca Smith March 26, 2024

On May 25 the National Design Portfolio Review will be held at New York’s historic Bohemian National Hall. Founded in 2011 by Tom Mardikes, UMKC professor of theatre sound design, the NDPR presents talented theatrical designers from the country’s finest graduate programs and connects them with established designers, directors and producers.

“Reputations get formed,” says Mardikes. “We learn from each other and probably pick up some tricks from each other.”

NDPR is a shining opportunity for ambitious graduates. But it also serves the participating schools, who use it in recruitment efforts. Mardikes has himself hired talent he’s discovered there for local productions. READ MORE

This year's National Design Portfolio Review will take place on Thursday, May 22nd, from 11am to 8pm, in the African Grove Theatre at New York University's new Paulson Center.

An important launchpad for young design talents looking to jump-start their theatre careers, the NDPR was born in 2010 at the USITT Conference and Stage Expo, with the first event taking place in May 2011. It was created as a replacement for the annual design review run by the noted scenic designer and educator Ming Cho Lee, popularly known as "Ming's Clambake."

According to the event's organizers. "The mission of NDPR is to introduce talented, emerging, theatrical designers from the finest graduate training programs in the country to established producers, artistic directors, directors, and designers from across the country. The event serves as a formal welcome to the profession as postgraduates to present their portfolios and have an opportunity to dialogue and engage with the finest artisans in the profession." Read More