Cosplayers, performances and shenanigans abound! The Anime USA Masquerade features them all!
What is a Masquerade, you say? It’s a place where Cosplayers and costumers alike come together to show off their performance and craftsmanship skills in one exciting and entertaining show! Performers will be judged for their ability to captivate and entertain a crowd, bringing their favorite series and shows to life through dance, comedy, or even drama. Meanwhile seamstresses and tailors show off their amazing work to bring beloved characters into being on stage. Participants of the Hall Cosplay Craftsmanship contest also join to show off their hard work in a cosplay fashion show!
Interested in learning more about participating in the Masquerade?
Anime USA Masquerade: What you need to know –
- All skit group participants must have a valid Anime USA Badge (specialty badges such as press, dealers, panelists, ect., are also valid).
- Anime USA Staff are NOT allowed to register for the Masquerade due to the time constraints and conflict of interest.
- All skits must register in order to participate:
- Pre-con registration will be available online (please check back for link).
- At-con registration, available on Friday and early Saturday will be limited to remaining slots available for Masquerade.
- All slots are first come, first served.
- Any contact information, such as names, emails, and phone numbers will be kept in confidence and not be shared beyond Masquerade Staff.
- Each participant may only appear in one skit. You cannot be a prop or “stage ninja” for other skits.
- Skits have a limit of 10 people on stage.
- All pre-registered groups must check in at Cosplay HQ during check-in times to confirm your entry and appointments. Failure to do so will result in forfeiting your spot for rehearsal and the Masquerade.
- Any group that has made their own costumes are allowed to participate in Craftsmanship Judging for Masquerade. Please see the rules below.
Skit Performance Requirements
All skit presenters must fill the following requirements in order to participate in the Anime USA Masquerade:
- Pre-recorded audio in the form of a single MP3 burned to a labeled CD to be delivered at check-in, or a single MP3 track on a USB flash drive.
- Note: Skits that request a microphone for live performance must obtain special permission from the Masquerade Director. Please email masquerade@animeusa.org with your request plus a copy of your intended script. There is no promise that you will be provided with a microphone nor that you will be approved. *NOTE:: Microphones are NOT props. We will not be lending out microphones as a prop – if you need a prop microphone please bring your own.*
- Time Limits are as follows:
- 1-2 People: 3 Minutes Max
- 3-5 People: 5 Minutes Max
- 6+ People: 6 Minutes Max
- All entries must attend Saturday rehearsal. By not showing up to rehearsal you forfeit your spot for the Masquerade. You do not have to be in costume for rehearsal.
- At least one member of the group must be in costume during the performance. There is no restriction on the genre of costumes permitted (such as Asian Culture only or Western Comics only.) Original or fanfiction characters are not permitted. Original fashion attire that are spun off of a series (such as Lolita Sailor Moon or Steampunk Batman) are permitted. If you are unsure if your character is allowed, please contact masquerade@animeusa.org.
- Masquerade entrants are unable to enter into Saturday Hall Cosplay Competition due to time crossovers. They can, however, submit a different costume to Friday Hall Cosplay Competition.
Skits also have the following limitations:
- Performances and costumes must be at a PG-13 level due to young children and families in the audience. No explicit sexual gestures, nudity, or explicit swearing will be allowed.
- No live steel or firearms. All weapons and props must follow the Anime USA guidelines as well as local state laws. If you are unsure, please bring it to Cosplay HQ or a Convention Safety staffer.
- No fireworks, pyrotechnics, or anything that involves live fire.
- No electrical outlets or extension cords will be provided. Anything that runs off of electricity must be battery powered.
- What goes on stage must come off. This means no leftover materials such as toilet paper, tissues, rice, water, flower petals, confetti, etc. will be allowed.
- No advanced stage acrobatics or intense martial arts. The stage is portable and cannot take heavy abuse from high jumps or excessively heavy pratfalls. Your safety and the safety of others is paramount over ‘flare’ that could be performed on a more stable stage.
- Any group found breaking any limitation rule during rehearsal will be removed from the Masquerade docket and not be allowed to perform.
Craftsmanship Judging
- Any group whose members (or a singular member) that has made more than 70% of the costume can participate in Craftsmanship judging.
- Craftsmanship Judging is done by appointment before Masquerade. Appointments are made during check-in.
- Progress pictures are not mandatory, but we do advise you try to bring at least one picture of your character. Not all of our judges may be versed in every series out there – having a picture of your character in the costume you are replicating is a great way to reference your costume.
- Costumes that were judged for the Hall Cosplay Competition cannot compete for Masquerade Craftsmanship.
- Craftsmanship entry is mandatory in order to qualify for ‘Best in Show.’
Division Categories
- Each entry’s appropriate category will be determined by the participant with the highest number of awards. For example: an entry consisting of 3 participants with zero major awards and 1 participant with 3 major novice awards won will be placed in the Journeyman category. The highest leveled member determines the division in which the group participates.
- Major awards include the following: Best Overall, Best of Division, Best in Show, 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place.
- Minor awards include the following: Judge’s Choice, Honorable Mention, ect.
- Novice
- A contestant who has yet to compete.
- A contestant who has under 3 major awards in the Novice Division.
- The following people cannot enter Novice Division: A contestant who won a Major Award in Journeyman or Master Class, or a Novice who has won ‘Best in Show’ or ‘Best of Weekend’ at another competition.
- Journeyman
- A contestant who has won at least three Major Awards in the Novice Division.
- A contestant who has won at least one Major Award in the Journeyman Category.
- The following people cannot enter the Journeyman Division: A contestant who won a Major Award in Master Class, or a Journeyman who has won ‘Best in Show’ or ‘Best of Weekend’ at another competition.
- Master
- A contestant who has won at least five major awards (Novice or Journeyman).
- A contestant who has won at least a Major Award in the Master’s Category.
- Additional Notes
- Contestants are allowed to jump up classes if they believe they are capable of competing at that level. A novice with no awards under their belt can compete as Masters if they wish.
- However: Once you have placed at a higher level, you can no longer go down.
Masquerade Rules::
Masquerade Sign-up Link::
Judging Description::
Want to judge our hall contest or our masquerade? Think you have the skills to evaluate others and help them along in their cosplay journey, please fill out the application.
Judging Link::