After seeing all of the wonderful skits at Katsucon for the World Cosplay Summit Preliminaries, I got to thinking about what makes a good skit and what can break it. I've been in performances at a convention (with some awesome friends; and have won awards, which is always nice, but we do it for the love of the craft), I've seen more than enough in my years of con-going to express the basics of competing on stage. Here are some simple tips and things to keep in mind while preparing and performing your skit! Keep in mind that these are solely based on my own experiences both on the stage and in the audience; you're free to do whatever you like within convention guidelines, but hopefully these little tips will help your experience with public performing be more enjoyable.

Photo from The Kennedy Center website

I'm heading off to Katsucon tomorrow morning, so here's a quick bit of info for all of you who can't be there for the US division of the World Cosplay Summit preliminaries!

Many cosplayers and costumers get into the hobby as a way of boosting their confidence about their bodies as well as their self-esteem. Being in a costume just makes you feel so awesome! You almost take on another personality entirely. But it doesn't lower one's inhibitions to the point where they'd expose their bodies more than they're comfortable with. So, with all the costumes and cosplays to choose from, how can you wear something from Vampire Knight, High School of the Dead, or even any comic book without feeling like you're flashing the world? Well, I've got some tips and tricks you may find useful in protecting your modesty while still keeping true to the character you're portraying!

Tiny skirts...my old foe. We meet again!

Attention everyone! Cosplay for a Cause is holding an eBay auction for ONE 2012 calendar signed by all eighteen featured cosplayers and artists from around the world, including Yaya Han, MalroDoll, Francesca Dani, and Yuki LeFay! The only way to get one outside of this auction is to buy the calendar and track down every single person across the globe yourself (and that can get mighty pricey). Every penny from the auction, as well regular calendar sales, will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross to help with the disaster relief from the tsunami and earthquake back in March 2011. Let's see how much they can raise! The auction ends on January 26, so get a move on, people!