- The staff reserves the right to ask you to change your outfit or to remove your prop from the property if it is not acceptable.
- Props and costumes are brought to the event at your own risk. The Avalon Theatre accepts no responsibility for damage to props and costumes brought to the event by attendees.
- No aspect of a costume or prop may damage property of the Avalon Theatre (body paint that could rub off on seats, sharp objects, etc).
- If you plan to wear your costume for the whole screening, your costume and/or prop must not block or inhibit the view of other attendees. Props or costume pieces must not block walkways or fire exits.
- The Avalon is unable to provide a secure area for personal items, though the green room will be open for attendees to change in private, and there may be racks for costume pieces to be hung or props to be set during the screening. Leave unattended items at your own risk.
- All costumes should provide enough coverage to be worn in public and should be in good taste and appropriate for a family-friendly show.
- Costumes cannot be obscene or offensive, including insensitive or unnecessary use of makeup, nor endorse any form of hate or any hate group. Gore, graphic violence, or other objectionable elements may also be grounds for the event staff to ask you to change your outfit or to remove your prop from the property.
- Costumes cannot promote alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, firearms/weapons (or the use of any of the foregoing), any activities that may appear unsafe or dangerous or any particular political agenda or message.
- Prop weapons should be made of lightweight materials such as foam, cardboard, or plastic. Sharpened edges of any kind are not allowed, including on armor, shields, or other tools.
- Prop weapons must be clearly distinguishable at a cursory glance from a real weapon, and totally, utterly incapable of harming the cosplayer or another person.
- Lightsabers are permitted- including those with a metal hilt.
- Live firearms including airsoft guns and paintball guns, either functioning or de-commissioned, are not permitted.
- Projectiles (including weapon ammo like airsoft pellets, BBs, and arrows) are not permitted.
- Any bow-type weapons must be unstrung or strung with a low-tensile thread (including slings).
- Metal and ceramic weapons are not allowed (including bladed weapons, swords, knives, ice skates, needles, syringes or sharpened edges of any kind).
- Bats, heavy blunt instruments (cricket, baseball, golf clubs, paddles, furniture legs, etc), and heavy tools and power tools (iron pokers, crowbars, drills, chainsaws, etc), are not allowed.
- Props may not be brandished in a threatening manner.
- Please no fighting, choreographed or otherwise. Exceptions are only for posing for photos when everyone is safe and comfortable.
Please take care when outside or when transporting any form of firearm prop.
Regardless of how it looks, be aware of your surroundings, attire, and the appearance of your props to bystanders when outside. Don’t assume a costume reassures people that the weapon is a prop.
False alarms waste police resources and risk creating stricter rules and laws.
Contest rules
- Costumes entered in the contest must be based on or inspired by the Star Wars Universe (or a galaxy far far away). Original designs and characters are welcome!
- Costumes constructed by the contestant as well as pre-fabricated or store bought costumes are all welcome for entry. Judges appreciate honesty on the source of the costume, but all are able to win awards.
- All contestants must have a ticket valid for the May the Force event.
- There is no age restriction for the costume contest. Children may be joined on stage for support with a non-contestant or another contestant.
- Entrants may either enter as an individual or as part of a group, but not both. Someone on stage with a child for support can also present their own costume as an individual or as a group, but can only be judged once.
- Entrants are responsible for their own belongings. The Avalon is unable to provide a secure area for personal items, though the green room will be open for people to change in private, and there may be racks for excess costume pieces to be hung or props to be set during the screening. Leave unattended items at your own risk.
- Each contestant will present their costume on stage. Music will be provided. Stage dressing is not permitted.
- The safety of the audience, staff, and other participants must not be compromised. This means that pyrotechnics, fireworks or any other methods of creating or causing a naked flame or explosion are forbidden; anything that may litter the stage (e.g., glitter or confetti) or make it slippery or sticky is similarly banned. Self-generated vapor as part of a costume may be permitted for use on stage following assessment at check-in at the event.
- There is no adult-related content allowed on stage. Keep all performances respectful and appropriate for general audiences.
- If competing in a group, awards will be given to the group, not individuals.
- Please don’t jump off the stage.
- The competition will be judged by three independent judges who assess the entrant’s costumes in addition to assessing how the entrants display their costume on stage.
- Have fun!