What to buy for a contemporary dance performance

A contemporary dance performance needs more than chairs and a sound system. Your shopping list must cover a safe dance surface, reliable audio and lighting, performer changing areas, audience seating and simple front-of-house supplies. Buy or collect technical items early so there is time to test cables, speakers and music files before the audience arrives. Drinks, glasses, coffee cups, waste bins and printed programme materials are easy to overlook until setup day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Audience chairsqty 110
Foldable tablesqty 8
Changing room chairsqty 12
Clothes racksqty 4
Coat racksqty 2
Waste binsqty 6

Equipment

Active speakersqty 2
Mixer
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Laptop
Audio cablesqty 6
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 6
Cable matsqty 8
Dance floor panelsqty 24
Gaffer tapeqty 4
Spare cablesqty 6

Lighting

LED spotlightsqty 6
Light standsqty 3
Atmosphere lightsqty 8
Spare batteriesqty 24

Decorations

Hall drapesqty 6
Backdrop cloth
Plantsqty 8
Vasesqty 8
Table runnersqty 8
Program boardsqty 4
Route sign standsqty 6

Tableware

Glassesqty 130
Coffee cupsqty 60
Platesqty 130
Forksqty 130
Knivesqty 130
Spoonsqty 100
Serving traysqty 8
Pitchersqty 8

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Storage binsqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8
Serving tongsqty 8
Label holdersqty 12

Cleaning

Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Hand broomsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea assortment - 100 bags
- Black tea - 30 bags
- Herbal tea - 30 bags
- Green tea - 20 bags
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Mints - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Ginger beer - 4 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Alcohol-free wine - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Aged cheese - 1 kilo
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Vegan cheese - 500 grams
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Bell peppers - 12
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Bananas - 20 pieces
- Strawberries - 2 kilos
- Olives - 6 jars
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilos
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Snacks - 4 bags
- Crackers - 8 packs
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini wraps - 8 packs
- Gluten-free crackers - 3 packs
- Vegan wraps - 4 packs
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Honey - 1 jar
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Basil - 6 bunches
- Pepper - 1 grinder
- Salt - 1 pack
- Paper napkins - 400 pieces
- Cocktail picks - 500 pieces
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 10 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 6 pairs

Tips

Allow one audience chair per registered guest, plus a small spare margin if the room permits. Add foldable tables for registration, refreshments and programme materials rather than using the performance area.
Treat the dance floor as a technical requirement, not decoration. Check that the floor panels cover the full play area and keep gaffer tape, spare cables and cable mats ready for quick fixes and safe cable routes.
Prepare the sound setup with active speakers, a mixer, the laptop, audio cables, extension cords and power strips. Bring spare cables and test every music file on the actual laptop before the performance day.
For a changing area, provide chairs and clothes racks, and add coat racks near the audience entrance. These are often forgotten when the venue is booked without a separate performer or audience arrival plan.
Buy drinks and tableware before setup day, including glasses and coffee cups, then chill the drinks in time for doors opening. Place waste bins where people gather, especially near refreshments and the entrance.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a contemporary dance performance?: Plan for audience chairs, tables, changing-room furniture, coat racks and waste bins, as well as speakers, a mixer, a laptop, cables and power equipment. You may also need dance floor panels, LED spotlights, light stands, decorations, glasses and coffee cups.
How many chairs do I need for a dance performance?: Provide one chair for every registered audience member and keep a small spare margin where space allows. Print the audience list before setup so the final seating arrangement matches registrations.
When should I arrange the technical equipment?: Reserve the speakers, mixer, microphones, lighting and dance floor panels before the final setup period. Test the complete system and all music files at least one day before the performance, not just on the day itself.
What do performers need backstage for a contemporary dance show?: Set aside a changing area with chairs and clothes racks, and confirm the access route before the group arrives. Have the performance floor, lighting and audio tested before performers begin their warm-up.

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