Cosplay Confessions is a series we do to spotlight and get to understand the wonderful members of our cosplay community (and beyond!). This month we have stealinthenight!

HOW DID YOU GET INTO COSPLAY?

In high school and college, I would often go to Suncoast's Anime Days which were like mini-conventions. I went a few times dressed as Fujiko Mine and Lupin the Third. The more I hung out with my friends who also cosplayed, the more they would tell me about conventions and the amazing adventures they had and the cosplays they were doing. I wanted to see what the cosplay community was like and went to Otakon not too long after which further encouraged my want of cosplaying. I really didn't fully embrace cosplaying until I finished college - since then I have done at least 10 outfits; some popular characters, others of my own design. I've also crafted witch crowns for Halloween and other spooky events.

WHY DO YOU LIKE COSPLAYING?

It allows me to express myself, take a break from being my daily self, meet new friends, alleviate my anxiety for a while, and generally embrace who I am. It's a hobby that allows me to grow not only in skills but myself as a person. When I'm cosplaying or even crafting, I feel my anxiety diminish significantly, my imagination broaden, my enthusiasm become unhinged, and my confidence flourish. I interact with people better, partake in CMVs, do photoshoots, and become more of an outgoing person than what I already am. Cosplay also allows me to experiment with different genres (steampunk, AU, etc.) and take on the roles of characters I find interesting, fun, or unique.

WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR FAVORITE CHARACTER(S) TO COSPLAY?

Utena Tejou from Revolutionary Girl Utena, a 50s take on the Tardis, and one of my original designs simply entitled 'The Drow'. Utena Tnejou was my dream cosplay I originally wanted to do in my teen years but never had the time, funds, or confidence. My Tardis cosplay is done in a 50s fashion - swing skirt with the windows on the front (and a surprise for Whovians on the back), a simple button-up white shirt, a black bowtie with a mini Tardis in the middle, ankle-high socks, black and white Oxford shoes, and a big black belt reading 'Police Public Call Box'. It was the first cosplay I wore when I went to cons with my future husband. 'The Drow' is a witch outfit I like to bust out during Halloween; originally she started off as a simple witch crown but evolved into a black gown with a petticoat, extended darkened fingers, and a veil hiding my face. She's given many people a fright and awed others.

HOW DO YOU PUT TOGETHER YOUR COSTUMES?

Caffeine, a great playlist of anime music and/or 80s music (mostly Electric Light Orchestra), and unbridled enthusiasm. I'll usually go to thrift stores, The Dollar Store, and hunt clearance racks to see if there's anything I can use. If I do find something, I'll sew it (if it's something too complex my mother will assist me) to my liking. I'll always try to find a purpose for clothes, fabrics, or items; everything has a use! Michael's is also my best friend for felt, foam, hot glue (one can never have too much hot glue), and other necessities. I'll even order on Amazon if there's something I really can't find.

WAS HAS BEEN SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE CONVENTIONS/EVENTS TO COSPLAY AT?

I absolutely adore Animenext for its energetic crowds, the wonderful people, and the artists. The first time I went I was contemplating going for only one day or all three, but after seeing a gentleman carrying around a speaker blasting anime music and everyone singing along, I ultimately decided on going for all three days. Since then, I haven't regretted my decision. I also enjoy Katsucon and New York Comic Con for the immense amount of people and amazing cosplays.

WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE COSPLAY STORIES?

Last year I went to Katsucon for the first time in my Utena Tenjou cosplay. The second day I was there I had seen other cosplayers wearing white roses and asked them where they had received them. They had said a woman dressed as the Rose Bride (Anthy Himemiya also from the show Revolutionary Girl Utena) was handing them out and to keep an eye out for her. Half of the day I was there as Utena, I didn't see her. I had to go to my Naruto photoshoot, so I changed into Sakura Haruno, did the photo shoot, and as I was on my way back to my friend's room at the con hotel, I saw this large, red dot across the balcony from me. It was the Rose Bride cosplayer! I ran up to my friend's room, quickly changed into Utena, and booked it downstairs to where I saw her. Not seeing her, I grew discouraged and thought she had left. As I was looking around for an exit, I saw her at the gazebo getting ready to do another photo shoot. Between me and her was about 20 feet, a small divider, and a security guard. I rushed to the divider, leaned over it, drew out my handmade Sword of Dios, and yelled,"HIMEMIYA!!!!!!!" She heard me, whipped out a white rose, and responded, "MISS UTENA!" I fell to my knees in happiness and was able to get my picture with her afterward. She absolutely made my Katsucon experience one I'll never forget.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU'VE HAD TO OVERCOME BEING A COSPLAYER?

There's always the worry that your cosplay will fall apart, that it won't come out the way you wanted, that people won't understand it, that it may not look as great as someone else's. For me, these worries seemed to vanish as I grew more confident not only in my abilities but myself. Thankfully, my cosplay hasn't collapsed on me, but I will always be prepared with hot glue and the directions to the nearest repair station. In the end, though, cosplay is a hobby that I'm always willing and encouraged to improve upon despite how good I am now. It's always amazing to think about how one can flourish especially in something they're already confident in. It's something I honestly something I want to do for such a wonderful hobby.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE IF THEY WERE INTERESTED IN GETTING INTO COSPLAY?

Cosplay for yourself. Be open-minded. Don't be afraid if you think you aren't good enough because everyone starts somewhere and it only gets better from there. Express yourself, you have so many avenues to do so in cosplay. Also, don't be scared to ask for help, I've often asked cosplayers how they made their weapons, watched tutorials, and even asked who made their cosplay or prop for them. This is a community where you won't feel alone in asking for help, embracing your fandom, and showing love for your character(s).

WHAT CHARACTER WOULD YOU LOVE TO TACKLE SOMEDAY?

A character I would love to cosplay someday is a gijinka of the Pokemon, Entei. Entei has been my favorite legendary Pokemon for years, especially when Pokemon 3: The Movie premiered alongside the video game release of Gold, Silver, and Crystal. I still have the promo card from when that movie debuted! The Johto region will always hold a special place in my heart for Entei.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST COSPLAY ACHIEVEMENT?

The friends I have made. When I first attended Animenext with my future husband, he was dressed as Kakashi Hatake. We were watching the Cosplay Pro Wrestling match and a group consisting of a Kushina, Minato, and Naruto came running up to us yelling, "KAKASHI-SENSEI KAKASHI-SENSEI!!" We wound up hanging out with them for a good length of the con. Since then we joined their Naruto group (The Sannin Warriors) which, essentially, is our cosplay family. We went to Katsucon with them last year and even afterward we met up and went to the shore towns during the Fall. I've also met others who have told me that my cosplays made their day and even did a Gravity Falls photoshoot with my old college friends and new friends last year at Animenext.

WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND YOU?

You can find me on Instagram as @stealingthenight. Feel free to follow me! I post progress on my cosplays, spooky things, witch crowns, food, and random bouts of life. I'll also be attending Animenext this year if you want to say hello!