Wireless Mics and Projection for Pippin

Show guide · Full-length · 8 principals plus a troupe of Players · 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 Pippin.

Who gets a mic

MTI currently licenses the 2013 Broadway revival version, with 8 named roles: the Leading Player, Pippin, Charles, Lewis, Fastrada, Berthe, Catherine and Theo. All of them sing or carry dialogue over music, so we mic all eight. That is 8 body mics plus 2 spares, for 10 channels.

Borderline roles: Lewis sings little but has dialogue in the court and war scenes, and Theo speaks and sings briefly late in the show; both are easier to hear on body mics. If you must cut a channel, Lewis can play to area mics when he is downstage.

With a bigger budget, add body mics for two or three featured Players who take solo lines in "Magic to Do" and "Glory" or dance in the Manson Trio, for about 13 channels.

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

The Players open "Magic to Do" and sing through "Glory", "Simple Joys" and the finale, often while dancing or doing circus work. Two or three area or choir mics along the stage edge cover their singing; keep acrobatics upstage of the mics. Give a Player a body mic when they sing a featured solo line over the band.

Show notes from our team

• Fosse-style dance. "Glory" and the Manson Trio are tight, sweaty dance numbers. Use sweat covers, tape headsets and hairlines twice, and check every mic at intermission.
• Circus and acrobatics. The revival adds tumbling and circus work. Put packs in snug belts on the hip, never on the spine, and keep area mics clear of where acrobats land.
• Breaking the fourth wall. The Leading Player and Berthe address the audience and may walk to the stage edge or into the house. Walk the feedback zones in tech and pull those channels down when actors pass the speakers.
• Berthe's number. "No Time at All" invites the audience to sing along. Keep Berthe on top of the mix and lower the area mics so the audience does not muddy her lines.

Projection

The circus tent, the battlefield, Charles's court, the countryside and Catherine's estate all suit projected scenery, and projections help with the show's theatrical tricks and the stripped-down finale. 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 Pippin. 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 Pippin need?

Plan on 10 channels: 8 body mics for the Leading Player, Pippin, Charles, Lewis, Fastrada, Berthe, Catherine and Theo, plus 2 spares. Add 2–3 area mics at the stage edge for the Players.

Does the ensemble in Pippin need mics?

The Players sing in most big numbers, so place two or three area or choir mics along the stage edge. Give a body mic to any Player with a featured solo line, especially in "Magic to Do" and "Glory".

Should the Leading Player wear a headset in Pippin?

Usually, yes. The Leading Player dances constantly and talks to the audience, so a headset stays in place better than a hairline and gives steady sound. Match the color to the actor's skin or hair.

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. Pippin is licensed through Music Theatre International (MTI); production rights come from them. Stage Gear sells and rents the equipment. See you on stage!