Wireless Mic & Projector Rental for Disney’s The Lion King

Oct 14

Written By

Disney’s The Lion King JR. at Market House Theatre

Starting point: Most productions of Disney’s The Lion King JR. need 14 to 16 wireless channels. Our starting point is the Standard 16-channel system, which covers the principals, the Rafikis and the hyenas. The Lion King KIDS 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

The Lion King JR. has young and adult versions of the leads plus featured animals. A typical plan:

Principals (10): Young Simba, Simba, Young Nala, Nala, Mufasa, Scar, Rafiki, Zazu, Timon, Pumbaa
Featured roles (4 to 6): Shenzi, Banzai, Ed, Sarabi, additional Rafikis

Cover the pride lands ensemble and the chorus with area or choir 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: Pride Rock, the elephant graveyard and the jungle are strong projection settings. Start with your screen width, then check mounting distance and stage light on the projector page. Compare projectors →

Mic notes for Lion King

Masks and headpieces: place earsets before the headpiece goes on and keep mics clear of the mask.
Rafiki: opens the show with “Circle of Life”; check that mic first in every sound check.
Young and adult Simba and Nala: plan which channels are muted in each act so the board op doesn’t miss a switch.
Stampede: fast movement and fabric effects: secure packs and cables.

Projecting the Pride Lands

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 Lion King production →

Disney’s The Lion King is a trademark of its owners. Rent Stage Gear is not affiliated with or endorsed by the show’s licensor. Photo: Disney’s The Lion King JR. at Market House Theatre, from Broadway Media’s production gallery.