Wireless Mics and Projection for Into the Woods JR.

Show guide · JR. · 15 singing principals, little or no chorus · Reviewed by Stage Gear staff, October 2026

Stage Gear supplies wireless mics, rentals and projection to school and community theatres across the U.S. Our staff work in theatre; this guide is how we'd mic Into the Woods JR.

Who gets a mic

We counted every role MTI lists as singing or carrying lines over music: the Narrator, Cinderella, Jack, Jack's Mother, the Baker, the Baker's Wife, Little Red, the Witch, Florinda, Lucinda, the Wolf, both Princes, the Stepmother and Rapunzel. That is 15 body mics plus 2 spares, for 17 channels.

Borderline roles: Cinderella's Mother has one song and no dialogue, and she usually stays at the tree, so a wired mic hidden in the tree set piece works and saves a channel. The Mysterious Man does not sing; area mics can catch him if you stage his scenes downstage. Granny, the Steward, Cinderella's Father and Milky-White play to area mics. Florinda and Lucinda are always together, so do not share a pack between them.

Bigger budget: give Cinderella's Mother and the Mysterious Man their own packs, for 19 channels. On a tighter budget, the traditional double of the Wolf and Cinderella's Prince (the Wolf is gone before the Prince's big scenes) frees one channel.

Mic plot

Every Bodymic is wired for one transmitter family: Shure, Sennheiser, Audio-Technica, AKG, MiPro or Creative Audio. Build your Bodymics to match the packs you own. Cast Pack: every 4 Bodymics of the same style and capsule size earn a 5th free. This plot is a starting point; change any row to suit your cast.

The ensemble

There is no chorus in this version, so area mics mostly catch the small speaking roles and the full-company moments in the Opening and "Ever After." Put 2–3 area or choir mics along the stage edge. If you add an ensemble of extra villagers or trees, they rarely need a channel; give a spare body mic only to someone who sings a solo line.

Show notes from our team

• The Opening. Lines pass among nearly every principal in seconds. Bring all principal faders up at a safe level for the whole number instead of chasing each line, and rehearse it with mics early.
• The Witch's transformation. The Witch changes from old hag to her younger look near the end. An earset is not tied to the wig, so rehearse the swap with the mic on.
• Cinderella's Mother at the tree. She sings from the grave or tree without moving. A wired mic hidden in the set piece sounds steady and saves a pack; check it at every sound check because it is easy to forget.
• Lots of exits and entrances. Characters cross in and out of the woods constantly. Label every pack with role and color, keep a cue sheet of who is onstage, and mute anyone in the wings.

Projection

The woods, Jack's cottage, Cinderella's house, Rapunzel's tower and the palace steps all suit projected scenery, and projection helps show the beanstalk and the Witch's transformation. Most school auditoriums need 7,000–10,000 lumens with the right lens; smaller black boxes and cafetoriums need less.

Our sister company Broadway Media makes Scenic Projections for Into the Woods JR. Not sure which projector? Read Stage Projectors for Digital Scenery.

Rent it for the run, or own it

Buying for a school? U.S. public schools can pay by purchase order. How school ordering works.

Common questions

How many wireless mics does Into the Woods JR. need?

Plan on 17 channels: 15 body mics for the singing principals plus 2 spares. Put Cinderella's Mother on a wired mic at the tree and cover Granny, the Steward and other small roles with area mics.

Does Into the Woods JR. need ensemble mics?

There is no chorus, so you need only 2–3 area mics at the stage edge for small speaking roles and the full-company moments. If you add extra villagers, they rarely need body mics.

What mic works best for the Witch?

An earset. The Witch wears a wig and often a prosthetic nose, then transforms near the end. An earset is not attached to the wig, so it stays put through the change.

Can we rent mics just for our show week?

Yes. Stage Gear rentals run Monday to Monday around tech week, so you have mics for rehearsals and every performance. Systems arrive tested with return labels, and school purchase orders are welcome.

Stage Gear is not a show licensor. Into the Woods JR. is licensed through Music Theatre International (MTI); production rights come from them. Stage Gear sells and rents the equipment. See you on stage!