Wireless Mics and Projection for Once on This Island JR.
Show guide · JR. · 13 singing roles plus a storyteller chorus · Reviewed by Stage Gear staff, October 2026
Short answer: plan on 15 channels. Thirteen body mics for the leads, the four gods, the four storytellers and Andrea, plus 2 spares. Cover the choir of storytellers 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 Once on This Island JR.
Who gets a mic
We counted Ti Moune, Daniel, Mama Euralie, Tonton Julian, the four gods (Papa Ge, Asaka, Agwe and Erzulie), the four Storytellers who narrate and sing most of the show, and Andrea. That is 13 body mics plus 2 spares, for 15 channels.
Borderline roles: on a 12-channel budget, mic two Storytellers and cover the other two with area mics. The Gatekeeper and Daniel's Father have short scenes; the Gatekeeper needs a strong speaking voice more than a mic. If your blocking shows the Gatekeeper and Daniel's Father are never onstage together, they can share a spare pack.
Bigger budget: add packs for the Gossipers, Daniel's Father and the Gatekeeper for about 18 channels. Little Ti Moune has no solo singing, so an area mic usually covers her lines. Match each mic color to the performer's skin tone.
Mic plot
| Ch | Role | Mic | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel 1 | Ti Moune | Headset, brown | Lead with a big dance solo; headset stays put. |
| Channel 2 | Daniel Beauxhomme | Hairline (3 mm), beige | Young male lead; love duets need clean detail. |
| Channel 3 | Mama Euralie | Hairline (3 mm), brown | Head wrap; mic sits under the front edge. |
| Channel 4 | Tonton Julian | Hairline (3 mm), brown | Hat or head wrap; featured singing role. |
| Channel 5 | Papa Ge | Earset, brown | Mask or face paint; earset clears the mask. |
| Channel 6 | Asaka | Hairline (3 mm), brown | Big headdress; belts "Mama Will Provide". |
| Channel 7 | Agwe | Hairline (3 mm), brown | Headdress; early solo in "Rain". |
| Channel 8 | Erzulie | Hairline (3 mm), brown | Headpiece; soft love songs need close miking. |
| Channel 9 | Storyteller 1 | Hairline (3 mm), brown | Narrates and sings most of the show. |
| Channel 10 | Storyteller 2 | Hairline (3 mm), brown | Narrates and sings most of the show. |
| Channel 11 | Storyteller 3 | Hairline (3 mm), brown | Area mic instead on a 12-channel budget. |
| Channel 12 | Storyteller 4 | Hairline (3 mm), brown | Area mic instead on a 12-channel budget. |
| Channel 13 | Andrea | Hairline (3 mm), beige | Daniel's fiancée; sings at the ball and wedding. |
| Channel 14 | Spare | Hairline (3 mm), brown | Kid-size spare for gods or storytellers. |
| Channel 15 | Spare | Hairline (3 mm), beige | Second spare in a lighter tone. |
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 Choir of Storytellers is onstage most of the show, moving as trees, animals and the storm. Cover them with 2–3 area or choir mics along the stage edge and keep group singing downstage where you can. If a choir member sings a featured line, move a spare body mic onto them rather than adding a channel.
Show notes from our team
- Headdresses and masks. The gods often wear tall headdresses, and Papa Ge may wear a mask. Fit mics at the first costume fitting, tape cables under the headpiece, and use an earset where a mask covers the hairline.
- The storm and creative movement. Performers become trees, animals and a rainstorm. Use mic belts, keep packs off spots that hit the floor, and check mics after the storm sequence.
- Ti Moune's dance. Ti Moune dances a big solo at the ball. A headset holds through spins and jumps; pull her fader down during the dance so breathing does not come through.
- Many voices, few gaps. The score runs almost nonstop, with storytellers handing lines back and forth. Write a clear mic cue sheet and mark who speaks next so faders open on time.
Projection
Once on This Island JR. moves between the peasant village, the gods' world, the storm, the hotel of the Grands Hommes and the gate, so projected skies, weather and settings suit nearly every scene. 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 Once on This Island 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 15-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 Once on This Island JR. need?
- Plan on 15 channels: body mics for Ti Moune, Daniel, Mama Euralie, Tonton Julian, the four gods, the four Storytellers and Andrea, plus 2 spares. On 12 channels, mic two Storytellers and cover the rest with area mics.
- How do we mic the Choir of Storytellers?
- Use 2–3 area or choir mics along the stage edge. The choir moves a lot as trees, animals and the storm, so stage group singing downstage and give a spare body mic to anyone with a featured line.
- What mic works for Papa Ge's mask?
- An earset is usually easiest when Papa Ge wears a mask or heavy face paint, because the boom sits along the cheek, away from the mask. Fit it with the full costume on.
- 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 Once on This Island JR. this year?
Get mic tips for your show and a reminder before rental season books up.
Stage Gear is not a show licensor. Once on This Island JR. is licensed through Music Theatre International (MTI); production rights come from them. Stage Gear sells and rents the equipment. See you on stage!
