Mascots performers are in part athlete, dancer, actor and clown. They create brand recognition, generate excitement, get your fans and followers involved and champion your organization’s mascot marketing strategy.
As a defining part of your brand’s overall message, it is important that your mascot performer takes their responsibilities seriously. This will ensure they represent your organization, team or company to the best of their ability.
To help your mascot performer, here are seven rules that all performers should follow:
1 - Discuss your core values
Your mascot performer is representing your entire organization. Whether they are performing for a sports team, school, a not-for-profit or business, they need to represent your brand and every single one of your values. Ensure your performer is aware of what they are.
Acting out of character while in costume, even in jest, could reflect badly on the organization a mascot is working for.
2 - Stay calm
Sometimes mascot performers will come across someone who is rowdy or disrespectful. It is very helpful to have a “spotter” anytime the mascot is performing, who can intervene in these situations and alert someone about the trouble, if it becomes necessary.
If a child is disrupting the fun, it’s important your mascot performer stays calm and the mascot spotter looks for the parents so that they can take control of the situation. If it’s an adult, your mascot performer should remove themselves from the situation and the mascot spotter should get in touch with the event organizer or venue security to take control if the issue continues to escalate.
3 - Don’t speak
You’ve probably noticed that the majority of mascots don’t speak. Unless you have a mascot costume designed with a moving mouth, talking while performing and wearing a mascot costume can be difficult. Limiting speech also helps maintain consistency when there are multiple performers for a single mascot costume. Audience members will often talk to the mascot, and while responding back verbally is usually a no-no, it’s a great idea for your performer to respond physically, with gestures and body language.
4 - Take regular breaks
Mascot performing is very high-energy, but your company’s audience will still expect your mascot to keep in character. A mascot performer’s job is to build up the energy, engage, and entertain.
If your mascot performer runs out of steam partway through a performance, they probably won’t be able to make the most out of their performing time.
Ensure your mascot performer doesn’t start out at their peak energy output! Conserve energy by taking rests when possible, and if they need a longer rest make it part of the act. A performer can exaggerate the “exhausted” feeling by splaying out on a bench or chair and making animated tired movements.
5 - Stay comfortable and hydrated
Being a mascot is physically demanding. Ensure they stay hydrated by drinking lots of water leading up to their performance.
When they take breaks, a mascot performer can replenish their lost electrolytes with a sports drink. The appropriate clothing also helps, and don’t be afraid to allow your performer to swap with another performer - especially during longer performances.
6 - Don’t get caught changing in or out of the costume
A mascot’s objective is to make sure that their audience thinks they are real, especially when interacting with children. To maintain the illusion, never let anyone in public see your performer change into, or out of, the mascot costume. Never take off any costume elements such as the head, gloves, or feet in a visible area.
It’s important for consistency (and to avoid traumatizing small children!) so that you don’t ruin the grand illusion. Make sure your performer always finds a private dressing area to change or remove the head if they are taking a break.
7 - Hang out with other mascots
Allow your mascot performer to put themselves out there! Encourage them to actively search out other mascot performers, reach out on social media, attend meet-ups, or join forums. Other mascots may have valuable performing tips and tricks that will help, and it’s always nice to make new friends!
Most importantly, when performing, let your performers have fun!
If you are looking to create a mascot for your school, team, or business, contact us for a quote! Our team of mascot design experts would be more than happy to answer any of your questions.
