Wireless Mic & Projector Rental for The Little Mermaid

Oct 14

Written By

Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR. at Norma Butler Bossard Elementary School

Starting point: Most productions of Disney’s The Little Mermaid need 16 to 20 wireless channels. Our starting point is the Standard 20-channel system. The Little Mermaid 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 20 channels

The show has a long list of featured singers, and the Mersisters sing as a group. A typical plan:

Principals (11): Ariel, Prince Eric, Sebastian, Ursula, King Triton, Flounder, Scuttle, Grimsby, Chef Louis, Flotsam, Jetsam
Mersisters (6): Aquata, Andrina, Arista, Atina, Adella, Allana

That is 17 channels before ensemble. Productions that double roles, or cover the Mersisters with two shared area mics, can fit in 16. Ensemble numbers like “Under the Sea” are usually covered by 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), 20 channels, with Broadway lavs: $1,995/week. Book this exact system at Broadway Media →
Better microphones: the same 20 channels in Better (Shure QLXD or Sennheiser EW-DX) is $2,995/week, and Best (Shure ULXD) is $3,995/week. Better → Best →
Protection plan (required): choose one at checkout at Broadway Media: a Damage Waiver at 10% of the rental ($199.50 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 20 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: Under-the-sea scenes are some of the most popular uses of projected scenery. Start with your screen width, then check mounting distance and stage light on the projector page. Compare projectors →

Mic notes for Little Mermaid

Tails and costumes: mermaid tails limit where a pack can go. Decide placement during costume fittings, not at tech.
Ariel loses her voice: Ariel is silent for much of Act 2; keep her mic on so you are ready for her lines at the end.
Flying or lifts: if Ariel is lifted or flown, coordinate pack placement with the harness or lift.

Projecting under the sea

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 Little Mermaid production →

The Little Mermaid is a trademark of its owners. Rent Stage Gear is not affiliated with or endorsed by the show’s licensor. Photo: Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR. at Norma Butler Bossard Elementary School, from Broadway Media’s production gallery.