Damon Dering Gutierrez

Damon was a lover of many things. Comic books, Madonna, Broadway musicals, dungeons and dragons, and beauty in all its forms.

He was a force of provocative creativity in the Phoenix Arts and Theater scene for over 30 years.

He was the Owner and Artistic Director of Nearly Naked Theatre, which started its two decade run in the early 2000s.

He worked with and loved so many people in the theatre community. It is hard to tell how many people his life touched.

The art he made on the Nearly Naked stage was beautiful, painful, funny, provocative, filthy, but always unapologetically his.

His theatrical productions were colored by his faith, his belief in art, his unabashed sexuality, and his passion for live theater and music.

In the 90s, he worked as a professional female impersonator and won the titles of Miss Gay Phoenix America 1997 and Miss Gay Arizona America 1997. His drag performances are a thing of comedy legend.

He was an actor, director, button pusher, provocateur, drag queen, and Dungeon Master extraordinaire.

He leaves behind his mother Ava Dering, his beloved dog Trinq, and his chosen family the Highlanders.

Damon Dering

April 6, 1971 - April 25, 2024

Rest in power

No Day But Today…