When people see a mascot at a game or event, they usually think of the character as one person. Behind the scenes, however, relying on a single performer can create a major problem.

What happens when your mascot performer gets sick? Has class? Goes on vacation? Gets injured? Graduates? Or simply can’t make an appearance?

Suddenly, the mascot disappears.

Whether you’re running a mascot program for a school, university, sports team, business, or community organization, developing multiple trained mascot performers can make your program significantly stronger.

The Mascot Should Be Bigger Than the Performer

Great performers can put an incredible amount of personality into a character. But audiences should ultimately connect with the mascot, not the individual inside the costume.

Think about it this way:

Superman can be played by different actors and still be Superman.

Your mascot should work the same way.

Different performers should be capable of stepping into the costume while maintaining the character’s recognizable personality, movements, traditions, and behaviors.

That requires training and preparation.

1. Your Mascot Can Attend More Events

This is probably the biggest advantage.

Imagine your university mascot has:

• A basketball game at 7:00 PM
• A donor event at 6:30 PM
• A community appearance at 5:00 PM

One performer can’t realistically do everything.

A trained mascot team gives your organization much more flexibility.

Instead of asking, “Is our mascot performer available?”

You can ask, “Which performer is available?”

That’s a huge difference.

2. You’re Protected When Someone Gets Sick

Mascot performing is physically demanding.

Performers get sick. Injuries happen. Emergencies come up.

If you have only one person who knows how to perform the character, one unexpected cancellation can mean canceling an appearance altogether.

Having a backup performer gives your mascot program insurance against those situations.

3. Performers Need Breaks

This is especially important during long appearances.

Mascot costumes can get extremely hot, and performing continuously for extended periods isn’t always safe or realistic.

At larger events, multiple performers can rotate.

The audience sees the same mascot.

Behind the scenes, performers get opportunities to cool down, hydrate, and recover.

4. Graduation Doesn’t Destroy Your Program

This is a major issue for school and collegiate mascots.

You finally find an incredible performer.

They develop the character.

They create traditions.

They become comfortable interacting with crowds.

Then…

They graduate.

If nobody else has been trained, years of experience can disappear with them.

Strong mascot programs constantly develop the next generation of performers.

Your veteran performers shouldn’t just perform—they should help train whoever comes next.

5. Multiple Performers Create Better Ideas

Every performer brings something different to a mascot program.

One might be great at dancing.

Another might excel at improvisation.

Someone else might be fantastic with children.

Another performer might create hilarious skits.

A mascot team allows performers to learn from each other and continually develop the character.

Instead of one person’s creativity driving the mascot, you suddenly have an entire team contributing ideas.

But There’s One Big Challenge…

Multiple performers can accidentally create multiple versions of the same mascot.

One performer makes the mascot extremely energetic.

Another makes the character shy.

Another constantly dances.

Another barely moves.

Fans shouldn’t feel like they’re meeting a completely different character depending on who’s inside the costume.

That’s why your mascot needs a clearly defined identity.

Create a Mascot Character Guide

Every serious mascot program should consider creating a simple character guide.

It doesn’t need to be complicated.

Document things such as:

Personality: Is the mascot mischievous, confident, goofy, competitive, friendly, or adventurous?

Signature movements: Does the mascot have a recognizable walk, celebration, dance, or pose?

Rules: What should the mascot never do?

Fan interactions: How does the character interact with children, opposing fans, athletes, officials, and other mascots?

Traditions: Are there specific routines performed at games or events?

Photography: Are there standard poses or behaviors performers should use?

The goal isn’t to make every performer identical.

It’s to make sure they’re all portraying the same character.

Train Your Backup Before You Need Them

One of the worst times to train a backup mascot performer is five minutes before they’re needed.

Let new performers practice before putting them into major appearances.

Have them learn:

• Character movement
• Nonverbal communication
• Crowd interaction
• Costume safety
• Hydration and breaks
• Costume care
• Working with handlers
• Improvisation
• Character rules

Whenever possible, let newer performers observe experienced performers before taking over themselves.

Don’t Forget the Mascot Handler

Building a strong mascot program isn’t only about the people inside the costume.

A good mascot handler can be incredibly valuable.

Handlers can help navigate crowds, watch for hazards, communicate with event organizers, keep track of time, protect the character’s identity, and recognize when the performer needs a break.

The performer creates the magic.

The handler helps make sure the performer can do it safely.

Build a Program, Not Just a Performer

Finding one talented mascot performer is great.

Building a system that continues producing talented mascot performers is even better.

Your mascot should still be entertaining fans five, ten, or twenty years from now—long after today’s performers have moved on.

Create traditions. Document the character. Train backups. Develop younger performers. Pass knowledge down.

That’s how a person wearing a costume becomes an actual mascot program.

---

Need Help Building Your Mascot Program?

Get My Mascot is building resources for the entire mascot community—from organizations looking for performers to mascot coaches, consultants, manufacturers, job opportunities, and hundreds of mascot characters.

Whether you’re starting a mascot program from scratch or trying to take an established character to the next level, there are experienced people who can help.

Your mascot shouldn’t depend on one person. Build a program that lasts.