Overcoming stage fright to follow your dreams of acting is tough for anyone. One of our guests did just that to become one of the miraculous role models she cosplays as.
Cosplayer. Actress. Model. Is there anything she can’t do? (Spoiler: Probably not.)
Christiana Cosplay is a panel host (among many other things) from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Christiana enjoys cosplaying as characters from several genres of fiction but is most recognized for her work portraying DC Superheroes and Disney Princesses. As a child, she was diagnosed with Selective Mutism, a psychiatric disorder in which a person who is normally capable of speech is unable to speak in given situations or to specific people. This disorder usually coexists with shyness or social anxiety. These circumstances prevented her from performing, giving reports, and sometimes speaking throughout her life. Consequently, she was often alienated from her peers.
In 2010, Christiana began acting at a popular dinner theater. This job would require her to perform in front of hundreds of people and, considering her condition, it was quite a challenge. This experience helped her realize that she was stronger than she had known, and she has since landed various roles in other productions. While performing in the theater, Christiana also became interested in cosplaying, which she described in an interview with Con Culture Magazine as “an outlet for creativity and a way to give back to kids who may not know anyone there but do know the characters.” She has since donned her cosplay creations at various events as a way to connect with children that look up to the characters she portrays.
Christiana will be joining us as one of the guests for CoreCon IX: Monsters and Mechs. Make sure to come out and meet her June 8th through 11th at the Baymont Inn and Suites in Fargo!