IDOL SHOWCASE

Shine Bright On the Main Stage!

DerpyCon is proud to present our Idol Showcase! Take your idol dreams onto the bright stage of DerpyCon and show off your best choreographed dances for all to see – celebrating what we love about Japanese idols!

Looking to take your talents to the stage? Read the rules and apply below.

If you have any questions, please contact our Head of Cosplay using our Help Desk. 

Idol Showcase Applications are now closed for 2025!

Idol Showcase Submission and Performance Guidelines

  • DerpyCon Idol Showcase applications will be accepted through October 8, 2025.
  • All participants in the DerpyCon Idol Showcase must be 16 years of age or older by October 25, 2025.
  • The DerpyCon Idol Showcase is not a competition. There will be no awards, prizes, or certificates given after the performance. No compensation will be provided to performers.
  • Cosplayers of any kind are welcome to perform. All cosplayers are welcome to apply for Masquerade as well. Due to a high number of applications, acceptance to either Masquerade or Showcase does not guarantee acceptance to both events. Performers may not use the same performance in the Idol Showcase that they are using in the Cosplay Masquerade in the case of applying to both. They must be unique performances.
  • All performances should be themed around Asian pop culture, such as (but not limited to) J-Pop, K-Pop, and Japanese Idol stylings.
  • To enter the DerpyCon Idol Showcase, you must be registered as a badge-carrying member of DerpyCon 2025 before showcase check-in.
  • Check-in for the DerpyCon Idol Showcase will be held Friday early afternoon of the convention. Failure to check-in will results in a disqualification of the entry and the slot being opened up to another waitlisted entry. Check-in time and location will be made available online once the DerpyCon 2025 Schedule is set. The practice session and the Showcase are both schedule for Friday late-afternoon/evening.
  • All performances must be no more than PG-13. Please refrain from cursing, lewdness, or nudity on stage – we are family friendly!
  • Solo and Duet performances are allowed a maximum of 90 seconds (1 minute and 30 seconds) for a performance. Groups of three and up are allowed 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
  • There will be a maximum of nine (9) participants on stage at any time in any DerpyCon Showcase performance; this includes stage “ninjas” and other handlers. Performance times may be increased at Cosplay Staff discretion if extra time is available.
  • Participants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over 21 who is on-site and a paid member. This person must be on-site at the convention. This parent or guardian must be present to check-in any members of the group at the Idol Showcase check-in.
  • Staged falls, as well as smoke, pyrotechnics, glitter, or other special effects that will leave a mess behind are prohibited. Nothing can be thrown into the audience and any item that comes on stage must be brought off the stage at the end of the skit. All props must comply with DerpyCon Cosplay Prop rules. Any prop weapons must be appropriately checked with our Public Safety team, and peacebonded if necessary.
  • Use of DerpyCon equipment, such as microphones, is the responsibility of the performer. Do not drop, throw, or otherwise damage the equipment. Any damage to the equipment is the performer’s responsibility.
  • Participant’s costumes must allow freedom of movement. DerpyCon Cosplay Staff will be unable to assist entrants with their costumes. Performers must be able to navigate stairs and move around the stage unassisted.
  • Any participant who does not follow the rules of the DerpyCon Idol Showcase, misses the line-up times, or does not follow the instructions of cosplay staff during the event, may be disallowed from participating at the discretion of the Head of Cosplay.
  • Only DerpyCon Idol Showcase participants and helpers/parents/guardians will be allowed in the Back Stage Area.
  • Performances may be recorded by DerpyCon staff or media/press. However, we cannot guarantee a recording of your performance. If you would like to record, please arrange to have someone in the audience to record for you. Anyone recording must be a badged member of DerpyCon, and must follow DerpyCon rules as far as remaining in or near their seat and not blocking aisles, traffic flow, or doors in and out of the event room.
  • DerpyCon Idol Showcase staff will reach out to applicants no later than one week after the submission deadline. There will be a waitlist if the number of applications permits.
  • Updates and changes to images, songs, and performances may be made up until October 23, 2025, and can be done so by emailing the cosplay department at cosplay@derpycon.com.