Wireless Mic & Projector Rental for Elf The Musical

Oct 14

Written By

Elf The Musical JR. at Newtown Stage Company

Starting point: Most productions of Elf The Musical need 14 to 16 wireless channels. Our starting point is the Standard 16-channel system, which covers the principals and the featured New Yorkers. Elf The Musical JR. usually fits in 12 to 16 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

Elf has a mid-size principal cast and a lot of small featured roles. A typical plan:

Principals (7): Buddy, Jovie, Walter Hobbs, Emily Hobbs, Michael Hobbs, Santa, Deb
Featured roles (5 to 8): the Store Manager, Mr. Greenway, Chadwick, Matthews, Charlie, featured elves and shoppers

Cover the elves, Macy’s shoppers and the ensemble 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

Wireless: Standard, Good (Shure SLXD), 16 channels, with Broadway lavs: $1,695/week. Book this exact system at Broadway Media →
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 →
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 →
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.
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 →
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 →
Projector: The North Pole, Macy’s and Central Park in the snow are perfect projection settings. Start with your screen width, then check mounting distance and stage light on the projector page. Compare projectors →

Mic notes for Elf

Buddy: huge energy and almost always on stage; give him the most reliable pack and a spare.
Elf hats: place hairline mics before hats go on.
Santa: padding and a beard: an earset is easier than a cheek mic.
December dates: holiday shows book early; reserve gear as soon as you have your dates.

Projecting the North Pole

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 Elf production →

Elf The Musical is a trademark of its owners. Rent Stage Gear is not affiliated with or endorsed by the show’s licensor. Photo: Elf The Musical JR. at Newtown Stage Company, from Broadway Media’s production gallery.