Tips for Masquerade Preparation

Masquerades are fun events. The audience likes them because they get to see a really neat show. Costumers like them because they get to see what other people come up with. The masquerade staff likes them because they get enjoyment from helping put on a good show.

To help everyone have a good time, it helps to have costumers be prepared. These tips are distilled from the experiences of several costumers, and they are meant to help make the experience enjoyable for all costumers. While aimed at novice costumers, sometimes even experienced costumers need a few reminders.

This is not an official document of any organization. Nothing official or sanctioned is implied. These are suggestions from costumers for other costumers, so everyone can have a good time participating in masquerades.

When designing your costume, keep the following items in mind:
- When they become available, read and understand the masquerade rules for the particular masquerade that you intend to participate in. If you don't understand a rule, or you have a question, contact/e-mail the masquerade director as soon as possible. The rules can have a major impact on your costume design.
- Make sure that your costume can fit through the doors - especially those that go from the green room to the masquerade stage.
- For travel purposes, make sure that your costume and prop(s) can disassemble, so you can pack everything easily.
- Can you move in it?
- Practice the movements that you intend to do on stage in your costume. Are your movements limited by your costume?
- Can you get up any stairs to the stage?
- Will you fall out of your costume?
- Can you construct your costume so you can go to the bathroom?
- Can you construct your costume so it can be taken off in an emergency?
To take care of yourself:
- Sleep and bathe the night before.
- Be prepared for things to go wrong.
- Bring comfortable shoes, so you can walk to and from the green room.
- If you can, bring the thread that you used on your costume plus a needle for it to the green room. A small travel-sized sewing kit would be a good thing to have on hand.
- Make sure that you eat a real meal that includes protein before you change into your costume. You can expect to be in the masquerade green room for three or four hours, and the green room will frequently not have food available.
- Make sure that you drink enough water. Fainting on stage or in the green room because you're dehydrated is not fun.
Before you go on stage:
- Make sure that you have read the masquerade rules for the particular convention that you are attending. Either send e-mail to the masquerade director for any questions that you have, or be sure to ask them at the convention.
- Make sure that you have rehearsed your presentation. You can ask for help on this from a friend or another costumer (But not in the green room, please!).
- Make sure that your tape or CD works at the tech rehearsal if a tech rehearsal happens, and you are given the opportunity.
- Remember to have fun. Everyone wants you to do well, so enjoy what you've created and decided to share with everyone.
Other items to consider:
- To help keep the surprise of your costume, consider making a cover up garment to travel from your hotel room to the green room. This can be a long cape or other easy-to-make garment that you can get into and out of very easily.
- Be sure to let your den parent know of any special medical or health concerns in case of an emergency.

Page maintained by Carole Parker