‘Behind the Curtain’ is a bi-weekly advice column written by masquerade judges answering anonymous questions from the community. These columns are written with the perspective of how Guild run competitions are, and may not apply to non-Guild run contests. Our column is built on your questions, there is a form to submit your question anonymously at the footer of every column!
If you’ve ever been to a cosplay Masquerade, you know the atmosphere is fun and supportive. But what happens Behind the Curtain? Let’s take a look backstage at what the experience can be like!
Similar to the audience of a Masquerade, there is a lot of anticipation in the lead-up to the show’s beginning. Cosplayers queue up in stage order backstage, and this queue often snakes on for what can seem like forever, but it moves quickly once the show starts. Before you know it, you’ll be in the wings of the stage about to step onto the stage for your moment in the spotlight.
It’s normal to feel anxious in the lead-up to your performance, and luckily, you’re surrounded by peers experiencing a lot of the same emotions! Make friends with the folks in line around you, it can help you and them fend off stage fright and who knows, you might make some lasting friendships with those around you!
Many cosplayers use their time in the queue backstage to run through their performance, practice some calming breathing exercises, or make some last-minute adjustments to costumes and makeup. Masquerade crew often check in on entrants throughout the show, seeing if they need any support or assistance.
I once helped a cosplayer fix a chain that had broken on their cosplay right before they entered the stage, by using a paperclip to create a new link in the chain! One of the best things about being backstage at a Masquerade is the camaraderie you can experience amongst your fellow competitors.
Photo by @cosplaywithfear from Megacon Birmingham 2023, featuring some of the winners from the show cheering on and supporting their fellow competitors.
Stage crew are on hand as you get up to the stage. Before you go on stage, there is a stage crew member there to confirm any final details of your performance that they can help with, as well as offer words of encouragement and support. Watching from the wings can be one of the most rewarding places to be, and our team loves to cheer on entrants from backstage!
The joy and euphoria cosplayers experience onstage is magical to witness, and while at some shows cosplayers will exit into the audience, at the ones where they get to exit backstage the stage team is always ready to congratulate and encourage you when you are done with your performance.
Photos are common, both backstage and after the show! Oftentimes, all the cosplayers who participated in the Masquerade will be invited onstage either before or after the winners are announced for some group photos, or even dancing! At the end of the Megacon Manchester 2023 Masquerade the entrants were all up on stage dancing to YMCA, and the judges even joined in as well!
When the Masquerade is over, and the winners are being announced the feeling of joy and support is immeasurable. Even if you don’t win the show you still did something amazing by entering and being brave enough to go up onstage and show the audience all your hard work.
Entering a Masquerade gives you a unique chance to experience something amazing. From the camaraderie of fellow entrants and the support of the stage crew, you won’t feel alone while you’re backstage preparing for your moment in the limelight.
If you’ve never entered a Masquerade before, I hope this behind-the-scenes look might encourage you to give it a go! It’s worth trying once, whether you’re in it to win, or just for the experience, it’s something that can be a lot of fun to do at a convention! If you’re not interested in entering, but helping backstage is something that is of potential interest to you, you can always apply to join the Guild of Nerds if you’re in the UK or Ireland.
22 February 2024
[…] any entrant and they’ll tell you that they’ve met some lifelong cosplay friends backstage at competitions. The atmosphere is electric, with everyone excited for each other – […]