Wireless Mic & Projector Rental for Les Misérables School Edition

Oct 14

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Les Misérables at Rowan County High School

Starting point: Most productions of Les Misérables School Edition need 20 to 24 wireless channels. Our starting point is the Standard 24-channel system, since the show is sung through and many students have solo lines.

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 24 channels

Les Mis is sung through, so every principal and many ensemble members sing alone at some point. A typical plan:

Principals (11): Valjean, Javert, Fantine, Cosette, Marius, Éponine, Enjolras, Thénardier, Madame Thénardier, Young Cosette, Gavroche
Featured roles (8 to 12): the Bishop, Grantaire, Combeferre, Courfeyrac, Feuilly, Joly, Factory Girl, Foreman, Bamatabois, featured Lovely Ladies and students

Cover the remaining ensemble in “One Day More” and “Do You Hear the People Sing?” 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), 24 channels, with Broadway lavs: $2,395/week. Book this exact system at Broadway Media →
Better microphones: the same 24 channels in Better (Shure QLXD or Sennheiser EW-DX) is $3,495/week, and Best (Shure ULXD) is $4,495/week. Better → Best →
Protection plan (required): choose one at checkout at Broadway Media: a Damage Waiver at 10% of the rental ($239.50 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 24 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 barricade, the sewers and Paris streets can all be built or extended with projection. Start with your screen width, then check mounting distance and stage light on the projector page. Compare projectors →

Mic notes for Les Mis

Sung through: there is almost no spoken dialogue, so channels stay open all show; check batteries at intermission.
Barricade: packs get crushed when actors climb; use padded pouches and run cables high.
Deaths on stage: performers lie on the floor; place packs so they don’t press into the deck.
Doubling: students often play a student in Act 1 and a different role in Act 2; plan who shares a pack.

Projecting Paris

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 Les Mis production →

Les Misérables School Edition is a trademark of its owners. Rent Stage Gear is not affiliated with or endorsed by the show’s licensor. Photo: Les Misérables at Rowan County High School, from Broadway Media’s production gallery.