Wireless Mic & Projector Rental for Bye Bye Birdie
Starting point: Most productions of Bye Bye Birdie need 14 to 16 wireless channels. Our starting point is the Standard 16-channel system, which covers the principals and featured teens.
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
Bye Bye Birdie has adult principals and a big group of Sweet Apple teens. A typical plan:
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Principals (9): Albert, Rosie, Kim, Conrad Birdie, Hugo, Mr. MacAfee, Mrs. MacAfee, Randolph, Mae Peterson
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Featured teens (4 to 6): Ursula and featured teens in “The Telephone Hour”
Cover the rest of the teens with area mics.
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: The telephone hour grid and the Ed Sullivan Show are classic projection moments. Start with your screen width, then check mounting distance and stage light on the projector page. Compare projectors →
Mic notes for Bye Bye Birdie
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“The Telephone Hour”: many teens sing single lines; area mics are fine for the ensemble but mic the featured singers.
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Conrad Birdie: gold lamé and hip moves; a mic belt keeps the pack secure.
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Period hair: 1950s hairdos and hairspray: use moisture covers.
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Mae Peterson: often an older character actor; check mic placement with any wig or hat.
Projecting Sweet Apple
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 Bye Bye Birdie production →
Bye Bye Birdie is a trademark of its owners. Rent Stage Gear is not affiliated with or endorsed by the show’s licensor. Photo: Bye Bye Birdie at Horizon West Theater Company, from Broadway Media’s production gallery.