Paul Pearson

1949 - 2024

Everyone who has met Paul Pearson has vivid memories of moments with him. Paul was the self-described "cult item" of the local theater scene, a pioneering icon in the drag scene, and a central figure in the local queer community. Paul Pearson, 75, of Lincoln, Nebraska, died on June 17, 2024.

A champion of avant garde experimentation, creative risk-taking, and firm rejection of respectability politics, Paul's influence is felt widely. Over the years, Paul has created space for all kinds of people to be themselves, to express themselves freely, to let their freak flags fly. Hundreds of us have Paul to thank for introducing new and wild possibilities to our lives.

Paul's experimentation began at home. As an openly gay man, he entered a platonic, open marriage to his wife Annie (née Peterson) in 1972. A few years later, their household was joined by David Alback, who was bisexual and was the biological father of daughters Megan and Molly. Paul, Annie, and David co-parented together during a time when such family structures were largely invisible or unheard of.

After years of organizing underground drag shows in living rooms and hotel ballrooms, in 1978, Paul was the first drag queen to officially perform drag in a bonafide gay bar in the city of Lincoln. Through his drag persona, Buddy Starr, he continued to push the boundaries of drag, gender subversion, and performance art throughout his life, most notably through his drag troupe, The Screaming Kupcakes, and his full-scale "floor shows" in the latter years of his life. In 2018, Paul received the inaugural Founders Award from Star City Pride acknowledging his lifetime of queer performance and community building.

From approximately 1995-1999, Paul was the Founding Artistic Director of the Futz, a small 40-seat black box theater that produced shows that were "so off-broadway, we're in Nebraska!" The Futz grew a reputation for critically acclaimed experimental, cutting-edge, and daring theater in an intimate setting. Paul pushed boundaries in other theaters in Lincoln and the Midwest. He was active at the Lincoln Community Playhouse dating back to 1981, where he accumulated 22 acting roles, 64 costume and make-up design roles, and 12 directing credits. He directed shows and designed costumes and makeup for several seasons at Pinewood Bowl, directed the summer shows for the Beatrice Children's Theater for many years, and more.

Throughout his life, Paul worked a variety of day-jobs. From teaching and caring for young people with disabilities, to manufacturing, to retail, he ultimately settled in as the face who greeted customers at Fringe and Tassel, a locally owned and independently operated costume shop. For twenty years, Paul worked to diversify the shop's inventory to include premium stage and special effects make-up, provided make-up design tutorials for anyone who asked, worked with theaters and schools across the state for their costuming needs, and made holidays-especially Halloween-come alive.

He is survived by daughters Molly Pearson of St. Louis, Missouri, and Megan Lara of Omaha. He is preceded in death by wife Annie Pearson (née Peterson) of Lincoln; co-parent and creative partner David Alback of Lincoln; parents John Wilbur and Muriel (née Ogg) of Colorado Springs; partners and life companions Albert "Ace" Rocek of Omaha/San Francisco, Kelly Sheridan of Lincoln, John Paul "Zoot" Zuttermeister of Lincoln, among others.

A memorial will take place on Saturday, August 3rd, at the Lincoln Community Playhouse; doors at 6:00pm with program beginning at 6:30pm. Hors d'oeuvres and social hour immediately following the program. In lieu of flowers, donations to support end-of-life and memorial costs may be made in cash or sent on Venmo to: @PaulPearsonMemorial