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The Masquerade

A.K.A. Costume / Cosplay Contest

The Masquerade is a presentation costume contest. Contestants are judged on construction, workmanship and presentation.

It’s part costume contest and part fashion show / exhibit / presentation / skits / dance routines / and more! There is usually an intermission featuring a performance (musical, or comedy, or …?). There are many reasons why our members spend all year planning and preparing for The Masquerade!

Audience members are welcome to wear costumes if they like; however, there is no requirement. Sit back and enjoy seeing to work and performances of our contestants.

masquerade

photo by Cliff Stornel

Categories

Opening note: In all categories (except for Junior) the costume must have been home-made by contestant or professional seamstress/tailor. Store bought costumes will not be eligible for judging. The final decision of your level category will be decided by the Masquerade Director.

The walk through and judging will take place prior to the Masquerade (check your schedule for location and time!) All contestants are required to attend in full costume in order to be judged and to help ensure the show will run smoothly. All categories other than fan favorite and performance will be judged at this time.

masq_2014_03Junior

  • Contestants must be under the age of 13.
  • If the costume was made by an adult or the contestant wishes to be judged on workmanship it will be judged in the appropriate category (novice, journeyman or master).
  • Costume must be age appropriate to wearer.

Novice

  • To be entered in this category the contestant may not have won any previous masquerades or similar costume contests.
  • Costumes created by someone other than the model will be accepted and judged at the appropriate level.

masq_2014_02Journeyman

  • To be entered in this category the contestant must have won at least one award (but no more than three) in a masquerade of similar costume contest.
  • Costumes created by someone other than the model will be accepted and judged at the appropriate level.

Master

  • To be entered in this category the contestant must have won three or more awards at a masquerade or similar costume contest.
  • Designers who are professional seamstresses/costumers will be judged in this category automatically.
  • Costumes created by someone other than the model will be accepted and judged at the appropriate level.

masq_2014_01Masquerade Rules

  1. Surprise the audience/judges, but not the Masquerade Director. If you are planning something particularly “unique” please let us know in advance.
  2. All masquerade entrants must be members of Keycon 34 and will be asked to show their badges.
  3. No open flame, fire, flash powder or flash paper is allowed.
  4. No messy substances allowed. Do not use messy or icky stuff on the floor or on the judges or audience!
  5. No nudity or exposing genitals or buttocks to the audience or judges. No costume is no costume. No “mooning” the audience or judges.
  6. No touching of other contestants.
  7. Nothing is to be done that may cause damage or create a disturbance.
  8. While weapons will be allowed on stage, they must be checked by our Masquerade Director first. We reserve the right to disallow contestants under the age of 18 from carrying weapons on stage. We reserve the right to disallow weapons at our discretion.
  9. No live creatures, other than human, will be allowed backstage or on stage, with the exception of service animals.
  10. Complete costumes that have been purchased or rented may be shown in the masquerade but will not be eligible for judging. Commissioned costumes (purchased and modeled) or select purchased pieces in a costume are allowable, but the costume as a whole must be a work of individual creation.
  11. The Masquerade Director reserves the option to eliminate anyone from competition on the basis of taste, danger to the audience or other contestants or for any other reason deemed sufficient.
  12. The Masquerade also reserves the right to change these rules as necessary and will notify contestants of any changes promptly.
  13. Contestants may bringing a copy of a musical selection on a USB Drive or CD to have played during their skit. No audio will be played if nothing is submitted.

Masquerade Registration

Download the following form, complete, scan and submit by e-mail before Keycon Opening Ceremonies on the (7 p.m. Friday, May 19, 2017) or in person at Registration before 1 p.m. Saturday, May 20, 2017.