Central Cosplay Club provides therapy through costumes
College student by day and dragon by night, Amy Marquardt dressed up Monday as Toothless from the animated film “How to Train your Dragon.”
The Central Cosplay Club, a registered student organization changes their identity and personalities from 8-10 p.m., Mondays in Anspach Hall. The also club attends conventions all year.
“The best part of being in a group cosplay club is that you can do group costumes, and have fun with people that share an interest with you,” the Wisconsin freshman said.
Alongside Marquardt, Indiana sophomore Jaye Erwin dressed as Hiccup, also from “How to Train your Dragon." Other costumes included characters from popular Japanese animation series "Duararar!!" and other animated films and books.
“When you cosplay with someone you have more role playing opportunities and it’s more fun,” Erwin said. “You also can build off one another with couple dress up, work more in character, and it creates a lot of crazy antics.”
The club travels to conventions in full costume. Last weekend the group traveled to Alma College for the Almacon Convention, an anime and gaming convention hosted by Alma College Otaku and Gamers, an anime and gaming club.
“Conventions give everyone a chance to show off what they have been working on,” Erwin said. “We get to learn, grow and get critiques in a friendly environment. Cosplay is just a really good form of expression. You can be whatever you want without being judged.”
President Alexander Hansen said the club is always taking new members. Cosplay is for everyone, he said.
“If you feel like you would enjoy dressing up like anybody or anything, then by all means come join,” the Edmore sophomore said. “Cosplay is the art form of dressing up as a pop culture character. “
Edmore said cosplay also can be a form of therapy.
“Some people may feel like they don’t belong and are trying to find their identity,” he said. “I usually do anime style cosplay dress up because generally, they have different personalities than I do. I am a tiny bit of an actor and I find enjoyment with acting like the characters that I cosplay.”
Each member creates their own costumes, and some find comfort from cosplay. Club secretary and Waterford junior Sam Milner said she likes the ability to be another person.
“I like characters that are strong,” Milner said. I tend to be more quiet and let people mess with me, so I like to cosplay as someone who isn’t.”
