Point Park University Theatre Production Students' Work Featured at Benedum-Trees Gallery Tuesday, January 6, 2026
(L-R) Katie Gordy, Rowan Crawford, Professor Stephanie Mayer-Staley, Noël Eckles and Stella Frazer. Photo by Jacob White '29.
The design work of Point Park University theatre production students is on display in Pencil to Performance at the Benedum-Trees Gallery, located a block away from campus. The exhibition runs through February 14 and is free and open to the public.
Pencil to Performance showcases scenic design, costume design, lighting design and properties work from 10 Conservatory of Performing Arts shows at the university's Pittsburgh Playhouse. Inside the Benedum-Trees Gallery, a large worktable in the center of the room displays process work, while finished designs and production photographs line the gallery walls.
Professor Stephanie Mayer-Staley said seeing this exhibition come together is deeply rewarding.
"In theatre production, our work often moves quickly — the shows go up and down," said Mayer-Staley. "This exhibition is like harvesting at the end of a long season. We have the chance to pause, reflect and truly celebrate the creativity and dedication our students have poured into their craft over the past two years."
For the last two months, four theatre production students worked with Mayer-Staley to set up Pencil to Performance, including Stella Frazer, Rowan Crawford, Katie Gordy and Noël Eckles.
"To see my work on display in such a capacity was incredibly fulfilling," said Stella Frazer '26. "At Point Park, theatre production majors get to work with professional directors and designers alongside some of our peers, which I think is an absolutely invaluable aspect of this program."
Noël Eckles '28 said she chose Point Park because of the hands-on opportunities she would have in her major.
"Being able to earn a bachelor's degree with professional work under my belt is so valuable," Eckles said. "This exhibit is a great way for people to get a good look into what makes Point Park's theatre production program so unique."
"This exhibition shows the amount of effort and dedication theatre production students put into their work," said Rowan Crawford '28. "Most people don't typically pay attention to what goes on behind the scenes, and this is a great way for them to experience another side of the performing arts."
Pencil to Performance was co-curated by Stephanie Mayer-Staley and Erin O'Neill, who is also the director in this inaugural year of the Benedum-Trees Gallery.
"The gallery is further delighted to partner with Point Park University for this exhibit," said O'Neill. "This collaboration highlights the esteemed Conservatory of Performing Arts and its dedicated students and programs. The Point Park and Benedum-Trees Gallery exhibition showcases just a few of the many remarkable treasures in this vibrant Downtown area's cultural scene."
The gallery and Point Park extend a special thanks to the Benter Foundation for the generous support of this exhibition.
Added Mayer-Staley: "This is a moment to marvel at our students' accomplishments and honor the collaborative spirit that makes theatre so extraordinary."
Benedum-Trees Gallery
223 Fourth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
