Wireless Mic & Projector Rental for Little Shop of Horrors
Starting point: Most productions of Little Shop of Horrors need 8 to 12 wireless channels. Our starting point is the Standard 12-channel system, which covers the principals, the three street urchins and the voice of Audrey II with spares. Smaller productions can use the 8-channel system.
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 12 channels
Little Shop has a small cast, which makes it one of the easiest shows to mic well. A typical plan:
-
Principals (5): Seymour, Audrey, Mr. Mushnik, Orin, the voice of Audrey II
-
The street urchins (3): Crystal, Ronnette, Chiffon
Use the spare channels for the featured customers and doubling roles.
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), 12 channels, with Broadway lavs: $1,295/week. Book this exact system at Broadway Media →
-
Better microphones: the same 12 channels in Better (Shure QLXD or Sennheiser EW-DX) is $1,895/week, and Best (Shure ULXD) is $2,495/week. Better → Best →
-
Protection plan (required): choose one at checkout at Broadway Media: a Damage Waiver at 10% of the rental ($129.50 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 12 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: Skid Row, the flower shop and the plant’s growth are fun projection moments. Start with your screen width, then check mounting distance and stage light on the projector page. Compare projectors →
Mic notes for Little Shop
-
Audrey II: the voice is usually offstage; a handheld or a separate wireless body mic works well, and the puppeteer needs no mic.
-
The urchins: they sing as a trio all show; set their gains together.
-
Orin: the dentist costume and gas mask in “Now (It’s Just the Gas)” need careful mic placement.
-
Audrey’s wig: place the hairline mic before the wig goes on.
Projecting Skid Row
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 Shop production →
Little Shop of Horrors is a trademark of its owners. Rent Stage Gear is not affiliated with or endorsed by the show’s licensor.