Wireless Mic & Projector Rental for Annie
Starting point: Most productions of Annie need 12 to 16 wireless channels. Our starting point is the Standard 16-channel system. Annie JR. with a smaller cast usually fits in 12 channels.
This is our suggested starting configuration, not a requirement of the show or its licensor. Your count depends on your edition, your staging and your crew.
How we got to 16 channels
Count the people who sing or speak on mic at the same time, not the whole cast. A typical plan:
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Principals (6): Annie, Miss Hannigan, Oliver Warbucks, Grace Farrell, Rooster, Lily St. Regis
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Featured orphans (6): Molly, Pepper, Duffy, July, Tessie and Kate, who carry “It’s the Hard-Knock Life”
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Featured roles (2 to 4): Bert Healy, FDR, Drake and the Boylan Sisters
Bert Healy, FDR and the Boylan Sisters appear in different scenes, so some productions share packs among them. That only works if a crew member has time offstage to move the pack, re-fit the mic and check it.
This count assumes: every listed role has its own transmitter; your venue covers big ensemble numbers with area or choir mics; and there are no pack swaps. Doubling roles or swapping packs lowers the count. Miking ensemble members individually raises it.
Doubling, pack swaps and your sound operator
Two actors can share a transmitter only if they are never on stage at the same time and a crew member has time offstage to move the pack, re-fit the mic and check it. Every channel also needs attention at the mixer: one operator following a marked script can run a show this size, but bring them into rehearsals before tech week.
Recommended package
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Wireless: Standard, Good (Shure SLXD), 16 channels, with Broadway lavs: $1,695/week. Book this exact system at Broadway Media →
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Better microphones: the same 16 channels in Better (Shure QLXD or Sennheiser EW-DX) is $2,495/week, and Best (Shure ULXD) is $3,295/week. Better → Best →
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Protection plan (required): choose one at checkout at Broadway Media: a Damage Waiver at 10% of the rental ($169.50 on the Good system for one week), your organization’s certificate of insurance, or a security deposit. Compare the options →
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Shipping and longer runs: shipping is charged at checkout at Broadway Media. Each extra week is the same weekly rate, with no multi-week discount.
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You provide: a mixer with 16 free mic inputs and a sound system. Economy is the only system that includes a mixer, so a Standard system connects to yours. Check your venue →
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Range: add a wireless expansion pack (from $195/week) for each 8 channels if performers work more than about 50 ft from the rack, such as in the house aisles. View expansion pack →
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Projector: Annie moves from the orphanage to the Warbucks mansion to New York streets, which suits projected scenery. Start with your screen width, then check mounting distance and stage light on the projector page. Compare projectors →
Mic notes for Annie
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Wigs and quick changes: for the orphans, a hairline lavalier placed under the wig, or an earset fitted before the wig goes on, stays in place better than a lavalier clipped to a costume that changes.
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“It’s the Hard-Knock Life”: your sound operator brings up the six orphans’ mics together and uses area or choir mics for the rest of the girls. Giving every orphan a pack only helps if someone can manage that many faders on cue.
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Sandy: plan the dog’s entrances so no one needs to adjust a pack on stage while Sandy is there.
Projecting Annie’s scenery
Scenery is licensed separately from the projector rental. Search Broadway Media’s catalog for your version of the show, then rent a projector to run it. Search scenery at Broadway Media →
Timeline
Pick a start Monday on or before the first rehearsal that needs mics. Broadway Media targets delivery by 5 p.m. local time that Monday, so plan setup and a full test during business hours that week, and book an extra week if you need the gear sooner. Book at least 9 days ahead; orders placed within 4 weeks of the start date may carry a rush charge. How renting works →
Request a quote for your Annie production →
Annie is a trademark of its owners. Rent Stage Gear is not affiliated with or endorsed by the show’s licensor. Photo: Annie JR. at Harare International School, from Broadway Media’s production gallery.