Cosplay Information

Applications for the costume contest and masquerade are OPEN!

2024 Cosplay Judges

Rakumaroo​

Rakumaroo has performed at various conventions since 2016 and won a judge's choice, first place, or best in show prize each time. Recently, she performed self-written, musical parodies for the masquerade half-time show at Tekko 2022 and 2023. She loves writing and performing skits and is excited to see what this year's competitors can do!
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Elysium Cosplay

Elycium is a non-binary costumer (they/them) who has been active in the renfaire and cosplay/convention scene since 2003. Over the years they have garnered a handful of craftsmanship awards, including a Best in Show. Ely specializes in sewing and needlework, with a special passion for embroidery. They are very excited to attend Hazardcon and see all of the cosplayers attending!​

Corwynte

A longtime cosplayer and self-taught sewist, Corwynte enjoys sharing their love of creating costumes and bringing their favorite characters to life!  Cosplay has been their catalyst to learn a variety of skills, from sewing techniques and embroidery to 3d modeling and printing, and they’ve won craftsmanship awards and judged at various cons around the region.  They are thrilled to be back at Hazardcon and excited to see everyone’s fantastic cosplays!  Corwynte can be found posting cosplay works-in-progress on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corwynte/​

Nimbus Grey

Nimbus Grey has been cosplaying since 2013, enjoying the challenge of finding creative solutions to bring her favorite characters to life. Nimbus spends her time gaming, writing, doing digital art, and being an agent of chaos.You can find her on Instagram and Twitter @nimbus_grey and Twitch @nimbus_grey0 
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Dueling Pisces

Dueling Pisces, also known as Dakota, started making cosplays in 2017 from Wisconsin and now is based out of Pennsylvania. Dakota specializes in sewing and original design works based on video game concepts, anime, and music videos/performances. “Can I do it,” rather than “should I do it,” can be heard from her often as she pushes the limits of cosplays by putting LED lights into ballgowns, making spinning wings, hand painting over a thousand petals, and more!  She loves the experience of competing and has won 7 different cosplay awards from 2019 to 2023 and has even appeared in two Entertainment articles. Currently Dakota is working to write up and film tutorials for others to use as well as hoping to get back into hosting panels again as they finish up their Chemistry and Biotechnology degree. She loves the community and creative freedom this hobby offers and loves to talk about her interests! Photo by @iroun.photos
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Cosplay Contest Rules and Guidelines:

All cosplays must adhere to all Hazard Con safety rules and guidelines obtaining to obscenity and weapon/prop safety and protocol. If you are unsure your cosplay adheres to these rules please check here.

Hazard Con’s Cosplay Contest will be divided into 3 divisions: “Novice”, "Journeyman", and “Professional.” 

Masquerade Contest Rules and Guidelines:

All Masquerade Contestant’s Cosplays must adhere to all Hazard Con rules and guidelines obtaining to obscenity and weapon/prop safety and protocol. If you are unsure your cosplay adheres to these rules please check here.

Contestants in the Masquerade Contest will not be judged by the quality of their cosplays but instead by the ability to entertain and behave as their character. All skits must adhere to the following rules:

Masquerade Contest Rules:

  • All participants must be registered members attending the convention. Staff will check that all competing performers have official Hazard Con 2024 badges. 
  • Cosplays from any genre of fiction are permitted to compete.
  • Cosplay must be required to participate in this event as it is a cosplay masquerade. Participants not in cosplay will be permitted to perform on stage. 
  • Participants MUST be present for masquerade rehearsal. Failure to attend this rehearsal will result in you forfeiting your right to perform and compete. Participants will receive an email informing them of rehearsal times.
  • Contestants will be performing in a Prewritten Skit.
    • A Prewritten Skit is a small scene you memorize or perform to show your adaptation of a character. Each skit must have a premade script which will be submitted to the judges prior to the contest to ensure it adheres to Hazard Con guidelines. “Winging” it will not be allowed.
    • Pre-recorded dialogue and/or music is HIGHLY encouraged and preferred to ensure your performance goes smoothly and of the highest quality. Hazard Con cannot guarantee more than one microphone per performance. You will have the opportunity to send your audio via email before the event. 
  • A skit may contain up to 6 cosplayers. No larger groups are permitted.
  • Each skit may only by 5 minutes long with a 30 second grace period. Anything that happens over the 30 second grace period will not be judged.
    • Group skits may be longer by 1 extra minute per person. The 30 second grace period still applies (ex. If your group consists of 3 people, you are allotted 2 extra minutes of performance time)
    • “Stage ninjas” count towards the extra person guidelines. 
  • No projectiles are allowed in your skits.
  • No props may remain on the stage, you or a “stage ninja” must remove the prop before the end of the skit.
    • Props such as confetti, silly string or any other objects that are considered messy are not permitted on stage.
  • Participants are limited to the performance stage area. No performer is permitted to leave the stage to continue their act (ex. No running into the audience)
    • If running off-stage concludes your performance, this is permitted.
  • You may only participate in one Masquerade skit.
  • Judges will watch your performance and grade it in the following categories:
    • Appeal:
      • Did the audience enjoy it?
        • Did they laugh or cry if necessary?
        • Was it entertaining?
    • Preparation:
      • Did the performers prepare themselves or were they clearly just messing around on stage?
    • Stage Presence:
      • Did the performers do an adequate job of playing their characters?
    • Originality:
      • Did the performers put clear care into what they were performing or did they do something we’ve seen before? ​

Contest and Masquerade Applications