What exactly is a Masquerade Show? It's part costume contest, part fan variety show. Can the two co-exist on the same stage? Absolutely!
The Masquerade Show will take place Saturday night in the main function room. The "acts" will alternate between costumes and performances. For example, Blackadder II and Queen Elizabeth might parade across the stage, followed by a filker, followed by a sketch parodying the Fox Doctor Who film, followed by the entire fourth season Blake’s Seven crew.
Participation has been broken down into two broad sections: costume and performance. Those who enter under costume will be judged on what they’re wearing (the clothing) and how they’re wearing it (the presentation). Workmanship optionally can be judged separately from how the costume looks on-stage. We will be using the following categories:
Novice: Entrant has never won Best In Class in a regional SF or prior Chicago TARDIS Masquerade.
Journeyman: Entrant has won Best In Class at 1 - 2 regional SF or prior Chicago TARDIS Masquerades.
Master: Entrant has won Best In Class at 3 or more regional SF or prior Chicago TARDIS Masquerades.
Dramatic Performance: Entrant will be performing a sketch, reciting a poem, doing a monologue, etc.
Musical Performance: Entrant will be doing something musical.
Non-competing: Entrant just wants to do something on stage without being judged on it.
You will be allowed up to five minutes in front of the audience. Most costume entrants have some sort of presentation. People in the performance section don’t necessarily have to wear a costume to perform. All we ask is that the content be related to SF/fantasy.
Both sections will be eligible for some special awards, including Best in Show.
We will have up to three judges this year, specializing in costuming, performance, and/or general opinions. Although one of the Chicago TARDIS celebrity guests might volunteer their services to judge, the panel will in no case be made up of the guests exclusively.
You must have a Chicago TARDIS attending membership to participate in the Masquerade Show.
Weapons must be peace-bonded when not on stage.
No gooey or messy substances allowed on stage. We don’t want your entry to create a hazard for the other contestants.
Please keep costume and content to a PG rating: we will have children both in the audience and participating in the Show.
You must turn in a registration form by mid-afternoon. Saturday, November 26 to participate. No exceptions!
You must choose whether to participate in the costume or performance section as outlined above. Keep in mind that you can choose not to be judged. You do not have to perform to wear a costume on stage; neither do you have to wear a costume to perform. (You do, however, have to wear some form of clothing on stage.)
The Masquerade Director has full authority to eliminate
anyone from the competition on the basis of taste, danger to the audience or
contestants, violation of the above rules, or any other reason deemed
sufficient. We've never had to eliminate anyone yet, but this protects you
and the sponsors of this event from real LOONS. There will be NO appeal.
You should attend the Masquerade Show organizational meeting on Saturday afternoon, November 29 (time and place tba). If you can’t make the meeting, please see the Masquerade Coordinator before 5 p.m. on Saturday for last minute instructions. (The coordinator will in and around Main Programming on Saturday; come backstage between panels if you can't find her.)
We will have a CD player, microphones, and chairs and stools available for your use during your appearance. If you need something more esoteric, you must make arrangements before the convention weekend. We will be unable to fulfill unusual requests at the last minute. Please fill out a Masquerade Tech Needs form and turn it in with your Entry form, whether or not you have special needs.
Performance time limit is 5 minutes and will strictly be enforced. You must have approval of the Masquerade Coordinator to go longer than this time. If you go over your allotted time, you will have a stuffed chicken thrown at you!
You may enter only once in the Masquerade Show. If you wish to use multiple pieces of music during the course of your entry, you must prerecord the music onto cassette or CD-R before the weekend of the convention. No multiple CD’s for one entry will be accepted.
By entering the Masquerade, you give Chicago TARDIS permission to videotape you and your costume/act and to include you and your costume/act in the videotapes sold of the event.
Most important of all: Don’t Panic!
Before the convention, contact the Masquerade Coordinator, Barbara Wright, via e-mail. At the con, come to the Masquerade Organizational Meeting Saturday afternoon!
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