5:30 PM Friday!

11:30 AM Rehearsal

The Cosplay Masquerade, the most anticipated show of the weekend, will be held in Main Events! You’ll be watching and cheering for the participants in their handcrafted costumes performing skits based on geek/pop culture. They’ll be entertaining and competing for placement prizes and esteem! 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 competition. 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 badges to ConnectiCon XXII in 2025!
Divisions

• Novice: Participants (13+) who have won fewer than 3 performance awards at this, or any other convention.
• Advanced: Participants (13+) who have won 3 or more performance awards at this, or any other convention.

Registration and Check-In

• In order to participate, you must have an ConnectiCon member badge.
• Entries must register for the Masquerade via the ConnectiCon website prior to the convention. No new entries will be registered at the convention.
• Minors under 18 years of age may participate in the Masquerade only if a permission/release form signed by the minor's legal guardian is provided. If you are a minor, please bring the signed copy with you to the check-in location at Cosplay HQ.
• Forms will be provided at check-in and on the ConnectiCon website prior to the convention.
• There will be designated check in times. Details will be emailed to all approved skits before the event.
• There will be designated rehearsal times. Details will be emailed to all approved skits before the event.
• Minor changes to your skit may be made at check-in. Changes are subject to the approval of the Masquerade Coordinator or Stage Manager. Minor changes include, updated cast, stage names, pronouns and/or skit introduction.
• 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 Masquerade 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 Masquerade. Skits performing with unlisted members will be immediately disqualified.
• You Masquerade rehearsal is Mandatory, and will be held beforehand on the same day.

Rules

• Idol and JPOP/KPOP skits that consist of just dance choreography from the original artist are not allowed in the Masquerade. Idol/JPOP/KPOP 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 Pop-Off! and Pop-Off:Live Debut!
• Acts performed at previous/other Masquerades will be permitted as long as they have not won any awards.
• The maximum number of people allowed on stage at any given time is 8. This is for everyone's safety.
• There will be no electrical hookups on stage so please keep your costumes self-contained.
• Please keep your costumes to a reasonable size: 8 ft tall / 250 pounds. Make sure your costume can make it across the stage, get through the doorway without hitting anyone, getting stuck, etc.
• Completed Reference images of all characters in your performance must be submitted to participate.
• All characters must come from the following genres: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Webcomics, Anime, Cartoons, Comics, Movies and Video Games. If there are any questions regarding whether your costume falls into one of these categories, please contact the Masquerade Coordinator.
• Anyone who does not show up for the Masquerade Check In/Rehearsal is marked ‘no-show’ and will not be allowed to compete in the Masquerade.
• 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 Masquerade Coordinator. Keep in mind not all requests can be fulfilled, but we will do our best to accommodate you.
• Do not bring anything on stage that you cannot take off with you. This includes confetti, rose petals, etc. Keep in mind the time limit includes the setting up and removal of props. The timer begins when the skit participants enter the stage area. If you have any large props, you need moved on beforehand, please contact the Masquerade Coordinator
• No fire, flash powder, lasers, explosives or open flame of any kind will be allowed. Electronic flashes will be permitted provided that you notify the Masquerade Coordinator in advance, and it must be announced in your MC introduction to protect those who may be affected by the flashing lights. Strobe lights are not permitted.
• Keep all content to PG-13 and under. This is a family friendly convention. No foul language, explicit gestures, nudity, etc.
• You must enter and exit the stage using the areas designated by the masquerade staff. No jumping onto or off of the stage is allowed. Failure to follow these rules will result in disqualification.
• We have the right to cancel any performance at any time.
• DAMAGES: If you break any equipment or cause any damage to the facility you are responsible for paying to replace it. Be aware of cords, curtains, screens, etc. to prevent any damage.
• The Weapons Policy and convention rules also apply here. This is for the safety of yourself and others and can be found on the Convention main page.
• Presentations will observe the following time limits based on the category in their presentation:

• Novice: 2 minutes (120 seconds)
• Advanced: 3.5 minutes (210 seconds)

• The Masquerade MC will read an introduction, if provided, prior to the start of your skit and a list of your skit's participants after the conclusion of your skit. The Masquerade MC may not be used for any part of your performance beyond this capacity.
• Participants are not required to be in costume for rehearsals, but are highly encouraged to bring all props required for their skit.
• 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

• You may choose to submit an audio file to provide background music, dialogue, effects, etc. for your presentation.
• Preferential time slots will be given to performers who have all their materials submitted in on time or in advance.
• MP3 files are preferred for audio, but we will take WAV & AAC formats. Audio will be checked by our staff to ensure that it can be played during the convention.
• MP4 is the only format we will take for video files.
• 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 audio, we will not stop until your presentation is finished. If you need pauses in the background effects, please include these pauses in your recording.
• Email files to cosplay@connecticon.org
• 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 (carrying items off and stage). Accommodations can only be made for more elaborate fully complete performances on a case-by-case basis using the coordinators discretion.

• Awards

• 3 Judges Awards
• 1st and 2nd Place Novice
• 1st and 2nd Place Advance

• 1st and 2nd Overall Best in Show

• In order to qualify for best in show, contestants must compete in both the craftsmanship contest and perform a skit in the same cosplay at masquerade.