Obituaries: David Draper

  • by BAR staff
  • Monday October 18, 2021
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David Draper
David Draper

April 25,1948 — September 14, 2021

Born and raised in Washington, D.C., David received his BA in acting/directing from University of Maryland, College Park and his MFA in costume design from University of Texas at Austin. Aptly named, his skill as a draper of garments was legendary. He managed the costume shop of American Conservatory Theatre for 25 years and was a prolific designer, contributing to such local companies as ACT, California Musical Theatre's Music Circus, Theatre Rhinoceros, Margaret Jenkins Dance Co., and Shakespeare Santa Cruz. He also worked extensively in New York City, Baltimore, and Minneapolis. The list of celebrities he dressed includes top film and theater actors, as well as such queer icons as Divine, Brian Boitano, and Klaus Nomi, whose iconic white patent leather dickie was draped by David's hand. Famous for his wicked sense of humor, friends fondly recall his epic team costumes at Halloween, such as the Bubble Headed Bimbos. He was the recipient of a Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award. He is survived by two siblings, Anthony Draper and Katharine Sizemore.

Plans for a memorial will be shared at a future date on his website.

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