Cosplay Cabaret

Let's spice things up with the Cosplay Cabaret. A new spin on Cosplay Cabaret with a little extra. Come and strut your stuff, or give us a performance in this show! All shapes, sizes, and body types are welcome!

How to participate

The participants in the Cosplay Cabaret are chosen from among the convention attendees. If you are interested in participating, you must submit an application, along with an image of your costume. Registration for Cosplay Cabaret is not first-come, first-served; participants will be selected based on the quality of the costumes, as well as how applicable to the character they are. Be certain to read the Cosplay Cabaret rules before you submit your application.

If you have any questions, please email cosplay.cabaret@kumoricon.org.

Eligibility

• All participants must read and agree to follow all rules of the Cosplay Cabaret.
• By applying for the Cosplay Cabaret, all participants agree to allow Kumoricon to use their images for promotional purposes, both photographs and video—both those submitted in the application, and those taken by us.
• All convention policies must be upheld during the entirety of the Cosplay Cabaret. Harassment, and any behavior that disrupts another person's experience, are prohibited. Disallowed behavior includes unwanted physical contact, threats, heckling or jeering, or any other form of rude, offensive, or disruptive behavior. Participants are not allowed to perform sexist, racist, culturally insensitive, or ableist acts while on stage or presenting during the event. This policy applies regardless of whether the behavior is aimed at a specific person. Anyone breaking Kumoricon rules will be removed and reported to Operations.
• Kumoricon staff may participate in the Cosplay Cabaret as long as staff-related responsibilities are fulfilled.

How to apply

• To apply, fill out the application form on this page, below these rules.
• The deadline for online application forms is October 28, 2024, at 11:59 Pacific Time.
• The total number of entries that will be allowed will be 35 submissions.
• Applications must include full body front and back photos of your outfit. Applications that do not meet this requirement may be denied.
• Applicants will be notified with a week of the application deadline. Any entrants not chosen for the show will be put on a waitlist.
• Participants are required to attend the Check-In and Rehearsal and to show up at the requested time for the show itself. Participants who miss any of these events or arrive more than 15 minutes late to their scheduled rehearsal check-in time may be disqualified. This applies to those wait-listed as well up until check-in. Please see the official Kumoricon schedule (one released) for times and locations of required meetings and activities.
• Participants MUST adhere to the regular Kumoricon Dress Code outside of this event, including walking to and from this event. Any participant of the Cosplay Cabaret who does not follow these guidelines or is found not complying with the dress code by Kumoricon Staff may be disqualified from the show entirely.

2024 Submission Guidelines

• Skit specific requirements:
  • Submit a 1-minute video featuring your skit, with ALL group members present in the footage. Cosplay is optional, and the video should showcase a full view of the body a majority of the time. Begin the audition video by stating your name. No waist up videos will be accepted.
  • Please do not use filters (TikTok, Snapchat, etc.) on your audition video. Any video with heavy filters will not be considered.
  • Failure to follow the listed guidelines could result in your audition video being disqualified.
  • Submit photos of your cosplay from multiple angles (front, back, side) to make sure cosplay meets the specific Cosplay Cabaret dress code.
• Modeling specific requirements:
  • This is a time to show off your cosplay, pose, walk the stage, and show off to the audience.
  • Audition video is NOT required for this category, instead submit photos of your cosplay from multiple angles (front, back, side) to make sure cosplay meets the specific Cosplay Cabaret dress code.

Content and performance rules

Lingerie walk entries

Skit entries

• This is an age 18+ event. Content is allowed to be more suggestive, but still has the following limits that are stricter than some convention 18+ programming:
  • Offensive language can be PG-13—no racial or sexual epithets; songs/skits may be asked to change if found too offensive.
  • All characters must be 18 years of age or older.
  • No excessive violence.
  • No sexual activity or contact—real or implied.
  • No nudity—all costumes must adhere to the following coverage rules for this event:
    • 
    • These rules are gender-neutral.
    • 100% groin coverage
    • 50% butt coverage—cheeks allowed, thongs & g-strings not allowed
    • 30% breast coverage
    • 100% nipple coverage, pasties required
    • Bare back is ok.
    • These rules are more permissive than the general convention code of conduct. Performers must adhere to the general convention code of conduct when not inside the event.
  • If you have a question about your content, please feel free to ask the Cosplay Cabaret Coordinator if it is allowable.
• You may surprise the audience, but never surprise the crew.
• No fire, flame, smoke, fog, dry ice, wind machines, lasers, pressurized gases, or liquids.
• No messy substances—wet, dry, or oily—in the green room or on stage.
• No jumping on or off stage—please use the officially designated stage entrances and exits.
• Any props/scenic elements that are larger than handheld need to be submitted to the Cosplay Cabaret for approval. (Please contact us at cosplay.cabaret@kumoricon.org.)
• Participants must abide by the convention weapons policies. Pointing weapons at anyone not in your cosplay group will not be tolerated. The Cosplay Cabaret Coordinator must approve any actions involving weapons.
• Participants may not use stage time to make political, religious, insulting, or other demonstrations not related to their performance.
• Participants who violate any of our performance rules may have their performance stopped and may be disqualified.
• Decisions made by the Coordinator(s) may only be challenged if brought to the Director of Programming.
• You must have some kind of foot covering. Shoes or boots are required. Be aware of safety concerns. If your character does not wear shoes the lack of accuracy will be forgiven; consider flesh-toned or clear shoes.
• All health and safety rules established by Kumoricon or the convention center will be upheld.
• Costumes do not have to be self-made.
• Skits must provide their own music.
• Pre-recorded music and dialogue are required.
  • File uploads are preferred for online entries.
  • We can accept MP3, M4A, and other common file types. We strongly prefer 128kbps or higher.
  • Recorded music and dialogue must be clear to hear.
  • Bring backup copies of your audio on USB thumb drive to ensure it's not lost. Kumoricon is not responsible for damage to or loss of your media device.
  • We will not play or rip music off portable MP3 players, such as iPods or cell phones.
• Leave the stage as clean as it was when you set foot on it. Arrange to remove all items you brought on stage at the end of your presentation. If you have a particularly intricate presentation, we recommend you recruit your own stage ninjas.
• Don't plan for complex lighting. The default lighting cue is: lights go up, music starts, you come on at stage right, you leave on stage left, music stops, lights go down.

Song selection

• Entry is limited to one (1) entry per person/group.
• Songs may be from any category, but are limited to 3 minutes.
• You must include the lyrics for the song you are using so that we may review for approval. If the song is not in English, you must include lyrics in the original language and the English translation.
• All music must be submitted upon application completion. No music will be accepted after the application is complete.
• Audio may be a mash-up of up to two songs, but must be submitted as one playable track.