July 14th, 2010
The Inner Life of Mascots
Anyone who’s ever tried to make a living as an actor will probably have had the opportunity to be a mascot, at least for a little while. It’s not an easy job, not at all, and it involves a level of dedication that few other professions might ever demand. Standing on a corner dressed as a hot dog for a hot afternoon very likely has its downsides, but there are also limitless possibilities for fun as well.
The golden opportunity in this part of the acting business comes when there’s an offer to be a sports mascot. This can mean a long-standing gig that pays better than most, and for an actor, it’s a great moment to test some basic skills. There’s an easy distance between self and the character, since the Mascot Costumes do most of the work, at least initially. There’s also the pleasure of knowing that the crowd generally tends to feel an attachment to their mascots, so it’s hard to put on a bad performance.
A solid actor can transform a costume in amazing ways, but of course, a quality costume is essential to make the transformation possible. In a pinch, anyone could wear it, because it stands as a moving image that people like to see. They can have great comic effect, and enliven all sorts of gatherings, even the ones where sports and food aren’t connected.
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