Wireless Mic & Projector Rental for Seussical

Oct 14

Written By

Seussical KIDS at Ibn Khuldoon National School

Starting point: Most productions of Seussical need 16 to 20 wireless channels. Our starting point is the Standard 16-channel system, or 20 channels if you mic the Bird Girls and Wickersham Brothers individually. Seussical JR. 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

Seussical has a large principal cast plus singing groups that trade lines quickly. A typical plan:

Principals (10): The Cat in the Hat, Horton, JoJo, Gertrude McFuzz, Mayzie La Bird, Sour Kangaroo, Mr. Mayor, Mrs. Mayor, General Genghis Khan Schmitz, Vlad Vladikoff
Groups: the Bird Girls and the Wickersham Brothers

Many productions mic the principals and cover the Bird Girls and Wickersham Brothers with two or three area mics. If the groups sing featured solo lines, step up to 20 channels.

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 Jungle of Nool, Who-ville and the circus all suit bright, colorful projections. Start with your screen width, then check mounting distance and stage light on the projector page. Compare projectors →

Mic notes for Seussical

The Cat in the Hat: the tall hat and fur make hairline mics hard; an earset placed before the hat goes on is more reliable.
Horton: sits on the nest for much of Act 2; place the pack where it won’t press against the set.
Gertrude’s tail: plan pack placement around the tail costume during fittings.
Young casts: use small mic belts and child-size earsets for younger performers.

Projecting the Jungle of Nool

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 Seussical production →

Seussical is a trademark of its owners. Rent Stage Gear is not affiliated with or endorsed by the show’s licensor. Photo: Seussical KIDS at Ibn Khuldoon National School, from Broadway Media’s production gallery.