(Previously Masquerade)

2026 Event Producer: Nayroby

Event Day: Friday 3:30 PM

Rehearsal: Friday AM

Applications Due By: May 15th
The Cosplay Cabaret (previously Masquerade) is the most anticipated competition of ConnectiCon weekend! Laugh, cry, and cheer as participants perform hilarious and dramatic skits in handcrafted costumes! Winners will be determined by a panel of hand-picked specialty judges and guests of ConnectiCon. It’s a night FULL of excitement as our affable hosts keep the audience entertained and rooting for the performers!

The hosts of this year's Cosplay Masquerade, ChibiCon: Where Cosplay Meets Drag, will be doing a live performance to get you up and dancing!
Winners will receive free badges to the following year’s convention!

The winner(s) of the previous year may not apply the year following their win. They will be allowed to apply again the following year.

Divisions

• Novice: Participants who have won fewer than 3 major performance awards at this, or any other convention.
• Advanced: Participants who have won 3 or more major performance awards at this, or any other convention.
  • Note: A "Major" award refers to a top placing award (1st/2nd/Best in Show), not a Judge's choice or other special award.

Awards

• 1st and 2nd Place Novice
• 1st and 2nd Place Advanced
• Judges Awards - 1 per judge
• Host Award
• Best in Show

Registration, Check-In, and Rehearsal

• Entries must register for the Cabaret via the ConnectiCon website prior to the convention. No new entries will be registered at the convention.
• There will be designated check in and rehearsal times. Details will be emailed to all accepted skits before the event.
• Minor changes to your skit may be made at check-in. Changes are subject to the approval of the Event Coordinator or Stage Manager. Minor changes include updated cast, stage names, pronouns, and/or skit introduction. Lighting and audio changes cannot be made at the convention.
• Access to backstage areas will be restricted to individuals listed on your entry form. If any individuals who are not part of your skit (such as a parent or legal guardian) are needed backstage, please inform the Cabaret staff at check-in.
• All participants appearing on stage, including stage hands or assistants, must be listed in your registration form. You may not have unlisted or "secret" participants. Your participant list must remain accurate and up-to-date during your rehearsal as well as your performance during the Cabaret. Skits performing with unlisted members will be immediately disqualified.
• The Cabaret rehearsal is Mandatory, and will be held on the day of the show.
• Anyone who does not show up for the Cabaret Check In/Rehearsal is marked ‘no-show’ and will not be allowed to compete in the Cabaret.
• Participants are not required to be in costume for rehearsals, but are highly encouraged to bring all props required for their skit.
• All times are subject to change as we finalize the schedule. Communications will go out once the schedule is finalized if times changed.

Event Rules

• Idol and music artist dance skits that consist of more than 50% dance choreography from the original artist or published media are not allowed in the Cabaret. Dance performances consisting of original content, scripted components, or original choreography will be considered on a case by case basis; please note in your application what original content was written for the skit. Dance performances should apply to the Pop-Off! and NEXT LEVEL dance competitions.
• All performers must be in costume during your skit. Performers may make or purchase their costumes, however performers that make their costume are eligible to compete for the Best in Show award where they will be judged on both their performance and the craftsmanship of their cosplays. Original costumes or mashup concepts are allowed.
• Acts performed at previous/other Masquerades will be permitted as long as they have not won any awards.
• There will be no electrical hookups on stage so please keep your costumes self-contained.
• If you have any special requests such as going first or last in the masquerade because of disability accommodations, large props, etc. please email the progamming@connecticon.org Keep in mind not all requests can be fulfilled, but we will do our best to accommodate you.
• You can have up to 2 large set pieces for your performance that the stagehands will carry onstage for you, but all loose props must be carried onstage by your competition group. Please note all set pieces in your application so the stage managers can be prepared. No confetti, glitter, pyrotechnics, liquid, or loose objects that cannot be immediately removed such as rose petals.
• Keep all content to PG-13 and under. This is a family friendly convention. No foul language, explicit gestures, nudity, etc.
• Presentations will observe the following time limits based on the category in their presentation:
  • Novice: 3.5 minutes (210 seconds)
  • Advanced: 4.0 minutes (240 seconds)
• The Masquerade host will read an introduction, if provided, prior to the start of your skit. The Masquerade host may not be used for any part of your performance beyond this capacity.
• The Masquerade Coordinator has the full authority to request a change to a costume or skit. Refusal to make the requested change will disqualify the person or group from the competition.
• We reserve the right to withdraw or disallow any skit that, in our judgment, poses a risk to the safety of performers or audience members, fails to comply with facility rules, fails to meet the requirements of these rules and regulations or any other reason.

Video, Music & Audio

We recommend submitting a Google Drive or Dropbox folder in your application to collect all your photos, videos, and audio in one place.

• You may choose to submit an audio or video file to provide background music, dialogue, effects, etc. for your presentation.
• MP3 files are preferred for audio file formats. Audio should be included in your background video instead of a separate file if you choose to use a video.
• MP4 is the only format we will take for video files.
• For best results, we recommend a resolution setting of 1280x720 or 1920x1080 for widescreen [16:9], and 960x720 or 1440x1080 for fullscreen [4:3]. Please ensure your videos have appropriate frame rate settings and high quality audio.
• The maximum file size of each entry is 1 GB. There are online tools available to compress the file size of videos that are too large (an example would be Flixier).
• All performers must submit audio/video files ahead of time in order to be considered for acceptance. Please bring a backup copy of your file to the convention on a flash drive or disc.
• If you choose to submit a video, it will be played to the screens on the sides of the stage. There is no screen at the back of the stage. The screens where the live camera footage is displayed is the same as the screen your video will be played on. Thus, you will be forfeiting the live camera footage displaying your act on screen if you choose to submit a video.
• We cannot fade in, fade out, or alter audio levels during your presentation. Please include these changes in audio level in your recording.
• Once we start playing your audio/video, we will not stop, pause, or restart the file. If you need pauses in the background effects, please include these pauses in your recording.
• If there is a change in your application, including your files, after your submission, Email programming@connecticon.org with said changes.
• There will be NO live microphones onstage. All sound/dialogue must be pre-recorded, [We recommend playing your audio to yourself through a speaker as vocal audio quality & clarity can shift dramatically.]
• Please make sure the track is no longer than the limit based on your category (Novice or Advanced)
• The time limit does not include the allotted 1-minute set-up/break down period (carrying items off and stage). Accommodations can only be made for more elaborate performances on a case-by-case basis using the Coordinator’s discretion.