About me
David Dean Cruz is a costume designer, performer, and proud Thespian Troupe 4712 alum (Class of 2008) who believes costumes should do more than look good—they should tell the story before a line is ever spoken.
His creative work spans theatre, film, and drag queen entertainment, where bold choices, quick thinking, and strong silhouettes are part of the job. David studied fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) and has hands-on experience sewing and building costumes from start to finish, from first sketch to final fitting.
Currently, David works as a costume designer for Upland High School, where he enjoys helping students discover how character, movement, and storytelling come together through clothing. His background in drag heavily influences his design approach—embracing creativity, resourcefulness, and making magic with whatever materials are available.
As a former thespian himself, David is excited to give back and support future costume designers. His workshops focus on learning by doing, thinking outside the box, and having fun while creating costumes that bring characters to life.
