Below is a list of panels that have been approved and are in preliminary scheduling (Schedule is subject to change). We are still reviewing some submissions and are still accepting submissions for Constellation 12.
Constellation 12 Program Schedule
Convention Panels
Opening Ceremonies - Friday 6PM-7PM
Come join us for opening ceremonies where we will introduce the guests we have for you this year and go over some of the great things we have this weekend.
Art Jam - Saturday 2PM-4PM
Are you an artist? Do you just like to draw, but don’t want to do so alone? Come to the Artist Jam and gather with others to just draw, sketch, and just generally “art”.
Cosplay Contest - Saturday 4PM-5PM
Do you like to dress up? Want to come shoe off your hard work or just have fun? Come to our masquerade/cosplay contest and show off your creations!
Guest Q&A - Saturday 5PM-6PM
Come learn about our guests this year, ask them questions, and put them on the spot!
Art Auction - Saturday 7PM-10PM
Described by Hugo Award-winning artist John Picacio as a “three-hour fever dream,” nothing surpasses the amazement and glory of the art auction. Come to bid or come to watch! You could loose your shirt for a good cause, or buy someone else’s! ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN!
Closing Ceremonies - Sunday 4PM-5PM
All good things must come to an end. Come and wrap up the convention with us, discuss some of the best of times you had, and find out about the future years.
Guest of Honor Panels
Let's Go to Another World! An Isekai Discussion - Friday 4PM-5PM
Becky Potter
Isekai - the theme of being transported or reborn into another world, is a booming genre in popular anime and Japanese light novels. This panel will discuss the trend and similarities and differences between hit titles. You'll also hear some recommendations for good ones to check out, depending on your interests (this panel leader has read and watched WAAAY too many isekai!). Feel free to come share any of your favorites, or find something new! The other world is waiting!
The “State" of Science Fiction (and Fantasy) - Friday 5PM-6PM
Max Gladstone
Let’s talk about modes of social organization in science fiction and fantasy: nations, kingdoms, empires, anarchosyndicalist communes, Hives, centinels, and necromantic capitalism. Some modes of social organization (strange women lying in ponds distributing swords) come back over and over. Why? Some arise brand new! Why? What can developments, changes, and enduring themes in the way SFF uses government tell us about how we feel about government?
My favorite art supplies (and yours!) - Saturday 10AM-11AM
Diane Taurins
Discuss art supplies - brand, color, shape, what makes a good art supply, as well as good art instruction books.
The Toonami Authors - Saturday 12PM-1PM
Max Gladstone
Science fiction and fantasy are constellations of "Taproot Texts,” volumes like Dune or The Hunger Games or The Lord of the Rings that inspire whole subgenres. A generation of rising authors with a broad range of styles and voices—Bo Bolander, Alyssa Wong, Tamsyn Muir, just to name a few examples—draws inspiration from anime and manga, from Neon Genesis Evangelion and Revolutionary Girl Utena to Full Metal Alchemist to Yuri on Ice. Let’s talk about how anime shaped the modern field.
Evolving as an artist - Saturday 1PM-2PM
Diane Taurins
Changing your style, techniques, and mediums through the years.
Theme decor for home, office, convention - Sunday 10AM-11AM
Diane Taurins
Discuss how to decorate your home, office, or convention space to create a themed environment.
What can Time Travel mean? - Sunday 1PM-2PM
Max Gladstone
Time travel is a concept as old as science fiction, and a wealth of time travel narratives have joined the canon recently, including Annalee Newitz’s Future of Another Timeline my and Amal El-Mohtar’s This is How You Lose the Time War. Time Travel also lives in the mainstream—Outlander, Time Traveller’s Wife, The Discovery of Witches. What brings writers back to Time Travel and what role does Time Travel play in their stories? We’ll talk about history, memory, imagination, discovery, paradox, and anything else that may suggest itself.
So You Want to Run an Event? Event Planning 101 - Sunday 3PM-4PM
Becky Potter
Do you like conventions, expos, and fan events? Ever want to run one yourself, or help out with an existing event? The co-founder of Anime NebrasKon will share her experience with you. This panel will discuss some basics for what you need to consider for an event, what resources are needed, and ideas for advertising and event growth. Have specific needs in mind? We are happy to answer your questions!
Submitted Panels
Jewel in the Lotus Dance Company, Eclectic Belly Dance Class - Friday 4PM-5PM
Paige Roswell & Judy Thiem
Come learn to shimmy & shake with Jewel in the Lotus, as they bring you belly dance moves from around the globe!
Comic Book Physics 101: The Flash (the Fastest Man Alive) and the ‘SpeedForce’ - Friday 4PM-5PM
Dr. Daniel Claes (UNL Department of Physics & Astronomy)
How does the Flash’s speed help him cross oceans, catch bullets, or vibrate through walls?
Comic Book Physics 101: Otherworldly, Unearthly Materials - Friday 5PM-6PM
Dr. Daniel Claes (UNL Department of Physics & Astronomy)
Nth Metal from the planet Thanagar gives Hawkman flight; Vibranium ore fell to earth giving Wakanda it’s technological edge. How can these be so different from common earthly materials?
Corsetry for Cosplay - Friday 5PM-6PM
Adrienne Ottemann (Quite-a-Riot Cosplay)
Tired of paying for corsets that don’t actually hold you in (or up)? Then make one! It’s easier than you think, especially with these professional tips and tricks from a cosplayer with a Master’s degree in apparel design and dozens of corsets under her belt... that is, uh, her bodice.
Concert: The Klingon Pop Warrior - Friday 7:15PM-8:30PM
Jen Usellis (The Klingon Pop Warrior/Commander jenbom sutai-toQqul)
The Klingon Pop Warrior is traveling the quadrant to bring you songs you thought you knew in the original Klingon. From pop to rock and everything in between!
Understanding Robert Heinlein - Friday 8PM-9PM
Lathan Murrell
Considered, one of the big three science fiction writers, Heinlein's world view is often hard to classify. In this panel we will discuss some of his work, the context from which he lived and wrote, the relevance his stories have today.
Cave Women of Mars Movie - Friday 8:30PM-10PM
A Christopher R. Mihm film
It is the future. 1987. Great scientific advances have allowed mankind to achieve that which previously only existed in speculative fiction -- space travel. But, on the eve of humanity's first manned mission to the red planet, no amount of speculation could adequately prepare us for the unexpected discovery of... CAVE WOMEN ON MARS!
Star Trek: Picard Discussion - Friday 9PM-10PM
Matt McKeever
The final episode of Star Trek: Picard drops on April 20, 2023. Watch the episode in advance and come to celebrate (or mourn) depending on how the “TNG Season 8” concludes. Also to be discussed if Season 3 redeemed Season 2. Bonus points if you can recite Worf’s full name and titles. There will be spoilers!
They Made a Walker Out of Me - What's It Like to Be a Walker on The Walking Dead - Friday 9PM-10PM
Kevin McGarry (ACME Comics & Collectibles)
Learn first hand what it is like to portray a Walker in AMC's hit show - The Walking Dead. Kevin McGarry was a featured Walker during the 11th season and is here to answer the burning questions like: how long does it take to apply the makeup? Did you go to Walker school? What did the blood taste like? Was Norman Reedus cool to work with? He will also talk about being on other hit shows such as Ozark and Spider-Man No Way Home.
Dere Say I Love You? (18+) - Friday 10PM-12AM
Andrew Montz (Professor Shinobi)m Vanessa Montz
What's up, nerds? I'm Professor Shinobi and I'm back with my lovely waifu Vanessa and we're gonna start some SAKURA GAMER. Now we are going in totally blind on this let's play so let's see if we can Co-Op a romantic partner or if matchmaking will fail us. So grab a seat in your gamer chair, jump into chat and enjoy some [SPONSOR'S DRINK PRODUCT HERE]. And remember, don't hate the player, love the game!
Weird Erotic Horror Films you May or May Not Have Heard Of (18+) - Saturday 12AM-1AM
Lathan Murrell
A delightful sampling of some of the out there horror films with some interesting takes on sensuality and sexuality. From especially dark Beauty and the Beast stories to the most twisted of Vampire Tales. They are the ultimate fusion of passion and terror.
Better, Faster, Cheaper: Sewing Tips to Up Your Cosplay Game - Saturday 10AM-12PM
Adrienne Ottemann (Quite-a-Riot Cosplay)
Do you still use a seam ripper to take apart your failures? Do your hems always end up a little wonky? Does the idea of putting in a zipper make you avoid your sewing corner for weeks on end? Come learn tricks of the trade from a former industry professional that will make each of those tedious tasks a piece of cake! Whether you’re a sewing noob or a consistent contest winner, there’s probably at least one thing you can take away to make your sewing faster, neater, or less expensive. Who knows? Maybe you’ve got a sewing trick of your own that will blow everyone’s minds!
Conquering the Tyranny of the Blank Page (15+) - Saturday 10AM-12PM
Patricia Scott
Patricia Scott will guide you through the process of creating a "magic" idea generator to help you avoid staring at a blank page. Everyone in the group will walk away with an idea generator of their very own. She will also share some writing tips she's learned over the years. Please be sure to bring a notebook and pen/something to use for note taking. This panel is being limited to 15-20 people.
How to Train Your Robot - Saturday 12PM-1PM
Lou Cubrich
Lou will be bringing in some small robots that he has made. He will explain how these robots work, and how to build them. The attendees will be able to try out the robots at the end.
Beginner Level Klingon - Saturday 12PM-1PM
Jen Usellis (The Klingon Pop Warrior/Commander jenbom sutai-toQqul)
Ever wanted to learn Klingon? The Klingon language consultant of Star Trek: Prodigy (and Klingon Pop Warrior) is here to get you started with the basics in pronunciation and grammar along with recommended tools to continue your studies!
Klingon Jeopardy - Saturday 1PM-3PM
Sharon Boren (IKV Raptor's Heart)
Star Trek trivia Jeopardy style.
Sci-Fi Belly Dance and Variety Show - Saturday 1:30PM-2:30PM
Take my coins, Take my shells, Take me where there's no music; I don't care, I'm still free, You can't take my shimmies from me!
The Browncoats, in an all new belly dance style, are making a pitstop at Constellation as they shimmy their way across the 'Verse.
Come take a 'Shiny' trip with the crew of Serenity as they make their stand against the Union of Allied Planets.
Cosplay Crunch Hour Contest - Saturday 2PM-3PM
Stuart Nelson
Contestants will gather in teams of 2-5 and will have 45 minutes to create the best costume they can from the supplies provided.
The Wheel of Mortality Returns! - Saturday 3PM-4PM
Nebraska Swordfighter's Guild
A medieval weapon edutainment extravaganza! Come spin the Wheel of Mortality and learn how various medieval weapons were used against each other! Can swords cut through armor? How does a spear work against a dagger? What's the best way to fight a knight? All these questions and more will be answered by the demo team from the Nebraska Swordfighter's Guild. So step right up! Give the wheel a spin, and prepare to be entertained!
Translating Song Lyrics into Klingon - Saturday 3PM-4PM
Jen Usellis (The Klingon Pop Warrior/Commander jenbom sutai-toQqul)
Learn what goes into bringing a popular song to life in the Klingon language - the challenges in translation and recording and the thought process behind both. Listen to some of Jen's favorite songs while following along with the lyrics & back translations and learning how they came to be!
Women Science Fiction Writers In The Golden Age - Saturday 3PM-4PM
Dr. Michael Page
Clare Winger Harris, Leslie F. Stone, Leigh Brackett, C. L. Moore, Judith Merril, Margaret St. Clair, Katherine Maclean, Andre Norton, Zenna Henderson. These women writers and others frequently appeared in the science fiction magazines of the Golden Age, from the launch of Amazing Stories in 1926, to Astounding Science Fiction in the 1940s, to the heyday of Galaxy and The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in the 1950s. In this presentation, Dr. Page will introduce the audience to the women writers of the Golden Age of Science Fiction.
How to Make Independent Films - Saturday 4PM-5PM
Tom Lombard
Filmmaker Tom Lombard explains the ABCs of making indie films, from concept to casting, filming, music, and the festival circuit. He will give examples from his own work and discuss the process, with lots of Q&A welcome.
Let’s Talk About PVC Foam! (EVA’s Forgotten Little Brother) - Saturday 5PM-6PM
Adrienne Ottemann (Quite-a-Riot Cosplay)
If you make your own props and haven’t heard of or used PVC foam before, then prepare to be enlightened! Cuttable with everything from an exacto knife to a scroll saw, sandable with as little as a nail file to a smooth shine, and firm enough to hold it’s shape only ¼” thick as the blade of a 36” katana blade, PVC foam is the miracle cosplay material that everyone should be using but doesn’t hardly know exists! Come learn the ins, outs, and tricks for using this incredibly under-utilized material!
Ultimate Werewolf - Saturday 5PM-7PM
Dane Jessen
Takes place over a series of game days and nights. Each day, the players discuss who among them is a Werewolf and vote out a player. Each night, the Werewolves choose a player to eliminate, while the Seer learns whether one player is a Werewolf or not. The game is over when either all the Villagers or all the Werewolves are eliminated.
Otaku Millionaire Hot Seat: Evangelion Edition - Saturday 6PM-7PM
Jacob Flax (Golden Belt Otaku LLC)
From the Capital of Nebraska, Six Players will face 12 Evangelion Questions with six lifelines for help for a shot of winning of up to ¥2,000,000 in a prize package. Can the Otaku Millionaire Hot Seat bring its first Sci-fi Convention win? Come to the panel and find out.
Amtgard Boffer LARP - Saturday 10PM-11PM
William Potter aka Argile (Amtgard)
An Introduction to Boffer Fighting, Crafting, and how Amtgard works.
Reading of "The Eye of Argon" (18+) - Saturday 11PM-12AM
Patricia Scott, Vanessa Montz, Andrew Montz, Lathan Murrell
An attempted reading of "The Eye of Argon" which is reportedly the world's worst sci-fi/fantasy novel and there are rules for reading it. Once the hosts fail, we will let audience members try to give it their best shot.
A History of Martial Arts in Theatre and Film - Sunday 12AM-1AM
Lathan Murrell
Here we will discuss how fight choreography and martial arts have been used in theatrical performance, the styles that have been used over the years, and the people and organizations that have had the biggest influences on stage combat.
Writer's Space - Sunday 10AM-11AM
Lisa Montoya
Glow in the Dark Picture books, Poetry, Comics, make your own Journal, and writing prompts!Bring your creativity, use our supplies. We have plenty of markers, pencils and glow in the dark glue!
Cosplay Crimes - Sunday 11AM-12PM
Stuart Nelson
Join panelists Stuart Nelson and Adrienne Ottemann as we explore and reminisce about the pitfalls, failures, and botched attempts we have experienced with making cosplay. Some of these cosplay crimes are forgivable and some have left us screaming NEVER AGAIN!
Afrofuturism in Depth - Sunday 11AM-12PM
Lathan Murrell
In this Panel we will do a deep dive into the themes and narratives that define Afrofuturism and what new literary and cinematic works are on the horizon in this genre.
Tell Tales: Bards Wanted! - Sunday 11AM-12PM
Lisa Montoya
Come and play story telling games with us! Learn about and explore some of the story and poetry games we have collected.
How do you.........sword? - Sunday 12PM-1PM
Nebraska Swordfighter's Guild
You like swords. We like swords. But how do you swing one without hitting yourself in the head? Come join the demo team from the Nebraska Swordfighters Guild for a mini lesson on swordplay. Equipment is provided and safety is required. Come learn with us!
Science Fiction Film Before 2001: A Space Odyssey - Sunday 12PM-1PM
Dr. Michael Page
Science fiction has been present in motion pictures since the very beginning. Georges Meiles A Trip to the Moon (1902) was one of the first narrative films, combining elements of Jules Verne's titular novel with H. G. Wells's The First Men in the Moon. In this presentation, Dr. Page will trace the history of science fiction cinema from these beginnings to Stanley Kubrick's landmark achievement, 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968).
The Frontier: Orion - Sunday 12PM-1PM
Roderick Vasek
Orion is not just one constellation out of many, its hourglass shape makes it more recognizable than nearly any other constellation. Lying close to the celestial equator, Orion is easily visible worldwide, and is composed of and surrounded by 8 of the 25 brightest stars in the night sky. Throughout history, Orion has been referenced in literature and inspired civilizations to use its shape in art, architecture and symbolism. Sci-Fi Convention ConStellation uses a stylized image of Orion as its symbol, representing past conventions with which its staff has been involved. One star, Betelgeuse, will likely supernova, perhaps in the next thousand years, while another star may serve as an inspiration for a future ConStellation project.
Voluntold You So: How Staffing Conventions Changed Us - Sunday 1PM-2PM
Vanessa Montz
We've seen things that you wouldn't believe. When you staff conventions for the better part of two decades, some odd things crop up, and even odder problems arise. So how did being part of a rag tag group of nerds and geeks get us into having drinks with the fine folks of the entertainment industry? Well you'll have to attend so we can say WE VOLENTOLD YOU SO.
Behind the Scenes on Star Trek: Prodigy - Sunday 2PM-3PM
Jen Usellis (The Klingon Pop Warrior/Commander jenbom sutai-toQqul)
Jen is the official Klingon language consultant for Star Trek Prodigy! Come hear how she went from fan creator to an official "employee" of Star Trek as well as what it was like working on the show, helping the actors learn Klingon, and more!