Rachael Heiman

Rachael Heiman is a theatrical costumer, multimedia artist, performer, and jack of all trades. Their expertise lies in historical costume recreation for musical theater and opera but their interest lies more in making fantastical wearable sculptures out of reclaimed garbage.

Rachael spent their childhood on the big island of Hawaii before settling in the California Bay Area. At age 6 they believed they would have to be a fashion designer in Japan because their designs were too “weird” for the American market. However, working as a model and Shakespearean actor in their middle school years, they discovered the magic of live theater.

At age 15, Rachael was taken under the wing of well known Bay Area costumer Abra Berman to assist with the SF Playhouse production of Camelot in 2013. In the following 10 years they've worked for a multitude of theater companies including: The SF Speakeasy, Dickens Fair, African American Shakespeare Co., Opera Parallele, West Bay Opera, Custom Made Theater Co, Cutting Ball, etc. 

Rachael Heiman received an Individualized BFA in Wearable Sculpture from the California College of the Arts in 2018. They use their fine art background to bring a more symbolic vision to the practicality of live theater. Their art practice often revolves around themes of mythology and fantasy while using reclaimed and scrap materials as often as possible. 

Rachael is now the resident costumer at the Youth Musical Theater Company in Berkeley and restores antique rugs at Clairmont Rug Co.