Once a Month and In Between - Getting Involved in the Community
“Have you ever been alone in a crowded room?” If you’ve listened to Dark Blue by Jack’s Mannequin this line probably plays in your head on occasion. Over nearly a decade of participating at Dystopia Rising events, it’s something I still find myself feeling from time to time, and I’m sure many of you can relate at one point or another. Sometimes we just need to be reminded of the simple things. So what do you do when everything is dark blue?
The ‘once a month’
Once a month we set aside our regular lives to come together at Dystopia Rising New York where we’ve built a community of amazingly creative, talented, and dedicated individuals. We put on a new face and a new name and become the people of Requiem. These characters empower us to be something else, but it’s still us under all the makeup and costumes, and sometimes that means we’re shy or even doubt ourselves. Perhaps the friend you had plans with couldn’t make it last minute, or there’s a plot you want in on but don’t know who to talk to, or maybe it’s just intimidating to walk up to a group of people you don’t really know. That’s why we all need to remember that we’re in this together.
While we all adore our core group of friends, it’s important that you don’t limit yourself solely to that group. My suggestion to everyone is to make a personal goal to speak to 3 people you don’t know at the event, one for each day. When I say speak to them, I mean have a meaningful conversation. You should be able to walk away from that conversation knowing something about them, and sharing something about yourself. Ask about their family, their fighting style, if they’ve ever eaten pocket shrimp from a hobo. Keep in mind that some people can get very busy and if they seem a bit apathetic towards conversation, it could be for a number of reasons; they’re in a time crunch, they’ve only slept 3 hours, they’re hangry, and so on. You’ll have other chances to speak with them when things are less hectic, be sure to take those opportunities.
Along with introducing yourself, try to make an effort to connect at least one person you just met with one person you already know. Don’t let them walk away until they’ve said hello. As important as it is for us to make connections, it’s just as impactful for others.
As the event draws to a close and we all drop our weekend personas, approach someone you roleplayed with and let them know you appreciated the interaction. After cleanup shifts have wrapped up, it’s time to meet for afters! If you’re not sure where people go after the game, ask around to find out what’s the popular place! Grab some food, get to know others, and say goodbye until next month!
The ‘in between’
Building connections doesn’t have to end once you get in your car. Between events there’s multiple ways to stay engaged in the community and meet others. Our Facebook group, Great Hall - Dystopia Rising: NY, will have opportunities between events to post about your characters, give achievements to others, and stay up to date on what’s next. Our Discord channel is a great place to ask questions, share crafting ideas, and meet others during casual hang outs. Even our Tiktok is a great way to get to know everyone; watch interviews with others or join us and be in one!
Overall, there are so many ways to start getting involved, and it all begins with getting to know someone else. Dystopia Rising New York is a community of nerds who take the time to come together and build a story. We’re all here for the same reason, to have a great time.
So what are you waiting for? The next event is just around the corner! Jump on Facebook, join our Discord community, and start making those connections!