Masquerade

Norwescon Masquerade Skill Divisions

Anyone may choose to compete in a higher skill division. Group presentations will be judged based on the highest skill division of the individual members.

Rising Star is for any contestant 13 years of age or younger who is not part of an adult group. Rising Star costumes must be made by the entrant with no more than a minimum amount of supervisory help. An adult-made costume may not be entered in this category and should instead be entered in the appropriate skill division of the adult.

Novice is for any contestant who has not previously won an award for a costume in any masquerade, or who has won a maximum of two awards in the Novice division for different costumes at a world-class convention masquerade such as World Con or Costume Con, or at a regional convention masquerade such as Norwescon or Westercon.

Journeyman is for any contestant who has won a maximum of three awards for different costumes in the Journeyman division at a world-class or regional convention masquerade.

Master is for any contestant who has won four or more awards for different costumes in the Journeyman or Master division, or who has won one or more Best in Show awards, at a regional or world-class convention masquerade. Professional costumers must enter the Master division.

Children’s Masquerade

Have a padawan learner in the family? Or a Crusader knight? A fairy princess who wants to show off her wings? Bring them to the Norwescon Children’s Masquerade! The children’s masquerade allows children who are too young to compete as Rising Stars (self made costumes by children 13 years and under) to show off their costumes. To accommodate early bedtimes and short attention spans, the children’s masquerade is the first part of the Masquerade. But should you wish to see the rest of the amazing costumes, seats will be saved for you and your child.

Since entrants will go on stage shortly after 8:00 p.m., all children wishing to enter must meet with the Children’s Masquerade head prior to the Masquerade. We will have forms and all necessary info available for you, then. Bring your Star Trek ensigns, aspiring Quidditch players and Narnian queens to Norwescon’s masquerade in April!

Masquerade Judging

Presentation judging is mandatory. It consists of your presentation on stage. It judges everything from your costume’s appearance from stage, to how you act and move, to your music and voiceovers, etc. The Judges will give awards divided by skill levels and excellence of performance within those different skill levels.

Workmanship judging is optional. It takes place in the masquerade backstage area before the show begins. It allows the workmanship judges to consider exceptional accomplishment in crafting costumes, props, and accessories. This is the place where exquisite attention to detail may be recognized. Re-creation costumes (a costume whose design is copied from a film, television show, theatrical presentation, book illustration, comic, work of art, or other medium) must provide a color picture of the original for the workmanship judges. Let your Den Parent know if you want your costume and/or props and accessories judged for workmanship.

Norwescon Masquerade Rules

Please review these rules carefully. Violation of any rule will disqualify an entry. Please help us make the masquerade safe and enjoyable.

1. Never surprise the Masquerade Director.

2. No jumping off or throwing things off the stage.

3. No live firearms, no live explosions or fire.

4. All weapons must be peace bonded except as needed for stage presentation.

5. The masquerade is PG-13. Lack of costume is not a costume.

6. Purchased or rented costumes may not be entered in competition. Credit must be given for all makeup and costume construction.

7. Costumes can be no longer than twelve feet, no taller than ten feet, and no wider than six feet.

8. No live microphones are provided for contestants.

9. Sound tapes/CDs must be complete prior to Saturday morning of the masquerade. Bring two copies of your sound accompaniment to the meeting of your choice.

10. No messy substances — wet, dry, or oily — that might ruin another contestant’s costume or make the stage dangerous are permitted.

11. No flash photography is permitted while contestants are on stage, or in the backstage area. A designated photo area will be provided for contestant photos after the masquerade.

12. Last but not least, the Masquerade Director has the final say.

Performance Planning

An overhead plan of the stage is available here (40KB .pdf). In this plan, the audience seating is at the top of the diagram. The stage performance area is 18 feet wide by 16 feet deep.

Default Tech

1. Lights black with spotlight on MC, ninjas set any props.

2. MC introduces the contestant.

3. Lights & Sound up on contestant(s) entrance, MC reads dialogue if not on tape/CD.

4. Sound & Lights fade as contestant(s) exit, MC announces contestant info & ninjas strike props.

Volunteers

The Masquerade is looking for two types of Volunteers: assistants and performers.

The assistants help enable the show to go off without a problem. There is a need for Stage Ninjas (must be 16+ yrs.), Den Parents, Ushers, Door Guards, etc. If you would like to help, please contact Volunteers through our contact page and they will pass your information along to the Masquerade.

The performers are up on stage showing off the costumes that make up the meat of our show. If you have a costume you would like to present, one that will impress the audience and judges, this is the option for you. No experience required and there is time to ask questions and practice in advance of the event.

Come one, come all! Let us make this one of the best Masquerades ever!

Questions or comments? Please contact Special Events through our contact page.