Wireless Mics and Projection for Disney's Moana JR.
Show guide · JR. · 11 principals plus a large ensemble · Reviewed by Stage Gear staff, October 2026
Short answer: plan on 13 channels. 11 body mics for Moana, Maui, the family, Pua, Hei Hei, Tamatoa and the three Chief Ancestors, plus 2 spares. Cover the ensembles with 2–3 area mics at the stage edge.
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 Disney's Moana JR.
Who gets a mic
We counted roles with solos or dialogue over music: Moana, Maui, Gramma Tala, Chief Tui, Sina, Pua, Hei Hei, Tamatoa and Chief Ancestors 1–3, who narrate the story with speaking and singing solos. That is 11 packs plus 2 spares, for 13 channels.
Borderline: MTI notes that Chief Tui and Sina join the Maui, Monster or Shiny ensembles after their opening scenes, so keep their packs on and mute them while they are in the ensemble. If your Chief Ancestors narrate from fixed spots at the sides, three handheld mics on stands can replace their body packs and bring you down to 10 channels.
Bigger budget (15 channels): add body mics for two featured soloists from the Villager or Shiny ensembles.
Mic plot
| Ch | Role | Mic | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel 1 | Moana | Hairline (3 mm), brown | Long hair hides the element; most-sung role. |
| Channel 2 | Maui | Headset, black | Big, physical "You're Welcome"; headset stays put. |
| Channel 3 | Gramma Tala | Hairline, beige | Under gray wig; comic and tender solos. |
| Channel 4 | Chief Tui | Hairline, brown | Under headpiece; mute while he joins later ensembles. |
| Channel 5 | Sina | Hairline, brown | Under wig; mute while she joins later ensembles. |
| Channel 6 | Pua | Hairline (3 mm), beige | Small mic; solos in three songs. |
| Channel 7 | Hei Hei | Hairline (3 mm), beige | Small mic; speaking and singing solos. |
| Channel 8 | Tamatoa | Earset, black | Large crab costume covers the head; earset sits clear. |
| Channel 9 | Chief Ancestor 1 | Hairline (3 mm), brown | Narrates throughout; clear diction matters most. |
| Channel 10 | Chief Ancestor 2 | Hairline (3 mm), brown | Narrates throughout; tuck under headpiece if worn. |
| Channel 11 | Chief Ancestor 3 | Hairline (3 mm), beige | Narrates throughout; tuck under headpiece if worn. |
| Channel 12 | Spare | Hairline (3 mm), brown | Pre-taped backup for Moana. |
| Channel 13 | Spare | Headset, black | Quick swap for Maui or Tamatoa. |
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
The Ancestor, Ocean, Villager, Maui, Monster and Shiny ensembles sing as groups, so cover them with two or three area or choir mics along the stage edge. The Ocean ensemble moves constantly and rarely sings alone, so it does not need body mics. Give an ensemble member a body channel only for a featured solo line that must cut through, such as a lead Villager in "Where You Are."
Show notes from our team
- Tamatoa and the claws. Tamatoa is usually a big costume, with ensemble members playing the Left and Right Claws. Fit his mic at the first costume fitting and keep claw pieces clear of the element during "Shiny."
- The Ocean ensemble. Performers playing the Ocean often handle fabric, poles or boat pieces around Moana. Rehearse the canoe and water moments with mics on so fabric does not brush across her element.
- Chief Tui and Sina double. Both join ensembles after their opening scenes, then return as themselves at the end. Keep their packs on, mute them while in the ensemble, and label their faders clearly.
- "You're Welcome". Maui's showstopper is big and physical, and comic delivery swings from a whisper to a shout. Use a headset, tape the cable at the neck, and set his gain at full volume.
Projection
Motunui village, the open ocean, the voyaging canoe, Lalotai and Te Fiti's island all suit projected scenery, and projection handles the ocean and the change from Te Kā to Te Fiti without big scenic shifts. Most school auditoriums need 7,000–10,000 lumens with the right lens; smaller black boxes need less.
Our sister company Broadway Media makes Scenic Projections for Disney's Moana JR. Not sure which projector? Read Stage Projectors for Digital Scenery.
Rent it for the run, or own it
| What you get | Next step | |
|---|---|---|
| Rent for the show | A 13-channel wireless rental, Monday to Monday around tech week. Tested before it ships, return labels in every case. | See rental systems |
| Own it | Creative Audio Show-Ready, 16 channels: receivers, bodypacks and antennas racked, programmed and tested. $ 11,190.38. | See the system |
| Mics for the packs you have | Bodymics for the whole cast: hairline from $79, earsets and headsets from $99. | Build your Bodymics |
Buying for a school? U.S. public schools can pay by purchase order. How school ordering works.
Common questions
- How many wireless mics does Moana JR. need?
- Plan on 13 channels: 11 body mics for Moana, Maui, Gramma Tala, Chief Tui, Sina, Pua, Hei Hei, Tamatoa and the three Chief Ancestors, plus 2 spares. Handhelds on stands for the Ancestors can bring it to 10.
- How do we mic the Ocean and Villager ensembles?
- Use two or three area or choir mics along the front of the stage. The Ocean ensemble mostly moves rather than sings solo, so it does not need body mics; save those for named roles and featured lines.
- What mic works with Tamatoa's crab costume?
- An earset is usually best. Tamatoa's costume tends to cover the head and hairline, and an earset hooks over the ear and sits clear of the shell. Fit it at the first costume fitting, not at tech.
- 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.
Doing Disney's Moana JR. this year?
Get mic tips for your show and a reminder before rental season books up.
Stage Gear is not a show licensor. Disney's Moana JR. is licensed through Music Theatre International (MTI); production rights come from them. Stage Gear sells and rents the equipment. See you on stage!
