Next month, the San Francisco Public Library will host a wonderful exhibit of queer theatrical history: a retrospective on the career of Debra “Beaver” Bauer,the legendary artist and costume designer, spanning more than fifty years of creative work.   

Bauer developed her reputation first as a member of the experimental Angels of Light Free Theater [working alongside celebrated performers such as: Hibiscus, Rodney Price and Martin Wong which flourished for ten years before its cast was impacted by AIDS. Their visual extravagance became her signature style. Bauer then transitioned to work in costume design, becoming one of the Bay Area’s most respected and celebrated designers. She designed for major theaters including American Conservatory Theatre (A.C.T.) and Berkeley Rep, as well as experimental companies: First Voice, and Theater of Yugen. She also worked with the circus ensemble Teatro ZinZanni, all while maintaining an approach based in drawing and a lifelong inspiration from the Angels of Light.

Bauer is beloved for her extravagant and sculptural costuming; her inspiration is often drawn from nature and influenced by the queer/trans cohorts with whom she collaborated. The exhibition presents new installations and a retrospective of more than 50 years of her creative work. It includes full costumes from multiple productions, selected props Bauer designed, and video documentation of these works activated in performance. The exhibition also features original renderings and documentary photographs that demonstrate the development of costumes from initial concept, through the fire of the fitting room, and onto the stage. Other highlights include THE BUS QUEEN’S GAZETTE – MUNI PORTRAITS SERIES – a suite of intimate portrait drawings of strangers created during her daily ride on the #22-Fillmore MUNI bus, along with new immersive installations..

The exhibition includes original renderings, performance photography, film and video clips, elements from costumes drawn from her expansive work and an original mural honoring the Angels of Light.