Mary Rose Ferrara, Costume Designer, has had a life-long love of the theatre, which began at St. Benedict’s Academy where she played the role of Henry Higgins’ mother in My Fair Lady. After performing in several school productions, she discovered she enjoyed costuming more than performing. Mary Rose continued to hone her skills in the alterations and bridal departments at Carlisle’s department store and S&K Menswear. She began her costuming career in 1971 volunteering at Storybook Theatre with Ben Agresti and Charlie Corritore. Prior to joining the Erie Playhouse staff in 2003, Mary Rose was head costume designer at Mercyhurst Preparatory School. Her proudest accomplishments at MPS were The Wizard of Oz, Into the Woods, and The King and I.
Mary Rose is proud of her theatre family. Her husband Marty has proudly served as the Erie Playhouse Property Master for the past 3 years, and he has been nick-named the “Chief of Stuff." Her daughter "Moe" (Maureen), a magna cum laude graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College, has been playing violin in the EP pit orchestra for the past 10 years. After a recent stint in the Erie Playhouse Costume shop as costume assistant, Maureen is currently studying for a Juris Doctor Degree at Pace Law School.
Mary Rose’s favorite show at the Erie Playhouse is Aida because it was a family event. Daughter, Moe, performed in the pit, husband, Marty, worked on stage crew, and Mary Rose was Amneris’ dresser. “Theatre just gets into your blood and all of those around you just can’t help but be drawn in with you!” When not in the costume shop, Mary Rose enjoys spending time with her husband of 36 years, shopping for fabric and taking road trips to NYC.