Wireless Mic Rental for Hairspray

Hairspray is a big show with a big cast, big hair, and big numbers. The principal roster runs at least twelve deep and the dance numbers don’t let up. If you’re looking for wireless mic rental for Hairspray, the MicKit Perform 16 is the right kit. It ships nationwide in one turnkey road case with sixteen pre-paired channels, bodypacks, elements, fresh batteries, and a laminated quick-start card.

How many wireless mics does Hairspray need?

A typical production mics fourteen to sixteen principals:

• Tracy Turnblad — the lead, carries “Good Morning Baltimore” and “I Can Hear the Bells”
• Link Larkin — “It Takes Two”
• Penny Pingleton — Tracy’s best friend
• Edna Turnblad — Tracy’s mother, traditionally played by a male actor, “You’re Timeless to Me”
• Wilbur Turnblad — Tracy’s father, also in “You’re Timeless to Me”
• Motormouth Maybelle — “I Know Where I’ve Been” (the Act 2 showstopper)
• Seaweed J. Stubbs — “Run and Tell That”
• Little Inez — Seaweed’s sister
• Amber Von Tussle — the antagonist
• Velma Von Tussle — Amber’s mother, “Miss Baltimore Crabs”
• Corny Collins — the TV host
• The Dynamites (three) — the backup trio

Plus featured roles like Prudy Pingleton and the Beatnik Chick. Sixteen channels covers the core plus the Dynamites.

Recommended kit

Rent the MicKit Perform 16. Sixteen channels is non-negotiable for Hairspray because the Dynamites, the Council Members, and the Detention ensemble all have featured moments. Hairspray wireless microphones need to handle belty 60s pop, R&B, and choreography-heavy production numbers.

Essential add-ons:

• MicKit Premium Element — “You Can’t Stop the Beat” is one of the biggest finales in musical theater. Motormouth’s “I Know Where I’ve Been” is a belt climax. “Welcome to the 60s” is a full-cast production number. The GO-9WD element earns its place.
• MicKit Power — multi-day tech, multi-weekend run, and a lot of hair spray (literally). Power pack is worth it.

Show-specific mic notes

Three things about Hairspray:

1. Hair. This is Hairspray. The show is about hair. Every principal has a massive 60s wig or hair style, and the element has to route somewhere the wig doesn’t cover. Mount the boom high on the cheek above the sideburn and tape with skin-tone surgical tape. Brief the wig team on not teasing over the element. For wigged productions, our headset vs. lavalier guide explains when a hair-hidden lav is cleaner than a boom.

2. Edna’s costume. Edna Turnblad is traditionally played by a male actor in drag with padding and a wig. The bodypack has to live somewhere the padding doesn’t muffle — usually high on the back between the shoulder blades, inside the foundation garment, not on the exterior costume. Test during tech.

3. “You Can’t Stop the Beat” finale. The entire cast is on stage, every principal is belting, and the choreography is wall-to-wall. Rent wireless mics for Hairspray knowing that the final number is the loudest cue in your show and your limiters have to be set for it. Don’t touch your gain structure once you’ve set it for the finale — ride faders instead.

How it ships

Every Hairspray order ships in one turnkey road case. Sixteen channels pre-paired, bodypacks, elements, fresh batteries, and a laminated quick-start card. Pre-paid return label. Free return shipping.

Book your kit

Book MicKit Perform 16 for your Hairspray dates →

Smaller cast? Check the full MicKit lineup.