From Creek's Becker Center to the NFL Draft Stage: Erin McNamara '16

When millions of football fans watched the 2026 NFL Draft unfold in Pittsburgh last month, most of them never thought about who built what they were seeing. Erin McNamara '16 did because she was one of the people who built it.

McNamara, a 2016 graduate, is a proud union stagehand and member of IATSE — the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees — the labor organization that provides the skilled workers behind virtually every major live event in the country. This spring, she and other members of Local 3 were part of the crew that constructed the stage for the 2026 NFL Draft, held April 23–25 at Acrisure Stadium, in Pittsburgh, PA.

It's the kind of work that demands technical skill, physical stamina, and the ability to execute under pressure — qualities that anyone who worked as a “minion” (the name for tech crew members at ICS) will recognize immediately.

At Indian Creek, McNamara found her place behind the scenes, learning the craft of theatrical production from the ground up. That experience, it turns out, was the beginning of a career path she may not have fully anticipated at the time.

The performing arts at Indian Creek School have been a launchpad for careers both behind the scenes and on the stage for many alumni.  Congratulations Erin!  We’re proud of you!