What to Buy for a Ballet Performance

A ballet performance needs more than costumes and music. Your shopping list also has to cover the audience area, backstage changing spaces, technical setup, refreshments, and clear signage. Plan drinks and tableware around the number of dancers, volunteers, and guests, then check power, lighting, and costume supplies before show week. Items such as gaffer tape, extension cords, labels, and garment racks are easy to overlook but can stop the setup from running smoothly.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Audience chairsqty 180
Bistro tablesqty 12
Entrance table
Changing room chairsqty 24
Clothes racksqty 8
Foldable tablesqty 8
Waste binsqty 8

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Laptop
Laptop charger
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Gaffer tapeqty 6

Lighting

Stage spotlightsqty 8
Light standsqty 4
Control panel
LED string lightsqty 4

Decorations

Backdropqty 2
Stage drapesqty 4
Decorative panelsqty 6
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Entrance sign
Directional signsqty 6

Tableware

Water glassesqty 220
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 80
Platesqty 80
Forksqty 100
Dessert spoonsqty 100
Serving traysqty 8

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Pliersqty 6
Storage binsqty 12
Serving bowlsqty 12

Catering

Program bookletsqty 200
Name stickersqty 80
Napkinsqty 250
Clothing coversqty 40
Clothing labelsqty 80
Wristbandsqty 200
Tea towelsqty 12
Ice packsqty 12
Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemon - 12 pieces
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Ice cubes - 10 kilos
- Mini water bottles - 60 pieces
- Coffee milk - 2 bottles
- Stir sticks - 250 pieces
- Paper cups - 250 pieces
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Snacks - 3 bags
- Mini pretzels - 3 bags
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Mandarins - 30 pieces
- Cucumber - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 1.5 kilos
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Ham - 1,5 kilo
- Chicken breast slices - 1.5 kilos
- Hummus with vegetables - 1 kilo
- Multigrain bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 120 pieces
- Wholegrain wraps - 60 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Pasta salad - 5 kilos
- Green salad - 4 kilos
- Dressing - 3 bottles
- Vegetarian quiche - 8 pieces
- Chicken wraps - 60 pieces
- Vegetarian wraps - 40 pieces
- Brownies - 120 pieces
- Mini muffins - 120 pieces
- Cookies - 5 packs
- Chocolate - 3 kilos
- Diet-friendly sandwiches - 20 pieces
- Gluten-free cookies - 4 packs
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 packs
- Trash bags - 80 pcs
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Tissues - 12 boxes

Cleaning

Vacuum cleaner
Mop headsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 20
Toilet brushesqty 3
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Disinfectant sprayqty 4
Clothes rollerqty 6
Laundry basketsqty 6
Glovesqty 12
Litter pickersqty 2

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per guest for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Include extra water for dancers, volunteers, and anyone working backstage.
Allow one audience chair per confirmed guest, plus at least 5% spare chairs if the venue has room. Add entrance and foldable tables for tickets, programs, refreshments, and registration.
Pack at least one long extension cord and one power strip for each separate technical area, and bring gaffer tape to secure cables. Test the laptop, charger, mixer, speakers, microphones, and lighting controls together before the rehearsal.
Provide one clothes rack for each changing area and enough changing-room chairs for the people using it at the same time. Label costume pieces and set pieces before they arrive at the venue so nothing is misplaced during quick changes.
Order tableware for the final guest count plus 10% spare: water glasses, coffee cups, plates, and forks. Buy or prepare directional signs and an entrance sign before the program booklets are collected, not on the performance day.

Frequently asked questions

How many chairs do I need for a ballet performance?: Prepare one chair for every confirmed audience member, then add about 5% spare capacity. For 120 guests, that means 126 chairs if the venue layout allows it.
How much water and soft drink should I buy for a ballet show?: Plan two to three drinks per guest during the first hour, including water, and one additional drink per person for every later hour. Add extra bottles for dancers, volunteers, and technical staff.
When should I buy ballet performance supplies?: Buy or confirm non-perishable equipment, signage materials, decorations, and tableware at least 7 days before the performance. Chill drinks and pack consumables 1 day before the event.
How many extension cords and power strips are needed backstage?: Use at least one extension cord and one power strip for each independent technical or backstage area, then add one spare of each. Keep cables secured with gaffer tape and test the complete setup before the final rehearsal.

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