Laughing Rat Cosplay

Elizabeth Krueger

Had you asked me fifteen years ago "What are you going to do for fun in your adulthood?" I probably would not have answered "Dress up in silly outfits at comic cons and compete against other people in silly outfits to see whose outfit is silliest". Apparently I do a fair job of silly outfit making, as I've won multiple awards at conventions throughout the state of Wisconsin. I began costuming about five years ago after attending my first anime convention, and have had fun making new costumes and embarrassing myself on stage ever since. Last year, on a whim, I began studying the history of fan costuming and now give talks on the development of the hobby at various nerdy conventions throughout the Midwest. Apart from cosplay, I'm also a self-taught knitter, avid daydreamer, and exasperated mom of over a dozen pet rats.