Dance performance shopping list

A dance performance needs more than costumes and music. Before shopping, confirm the audience size, dancer and crew count, venue layout, and the number of serving points. This list covers the practical items that are easy to overlook: spare audio cables, power strips, gaffer tape, flashlights, serving utensils, clothing racks, and enough glasses and cups for the full program. Buy or reserve technical equipment early, then do a final count one week before the show.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Chairsqty 160
Foldable tablesqty 10
Bar stoolsqty 6
Clothes racksqty 4
Folding tables for receptionqty 3

Equipment

Stage sectionsqty 12
Dance floor panelsqty 12
Speakersqty 4
Mixer
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Microphone standsqty 2
Laptop for music
Spare audio cables
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 6
Gaffer tapeqty 6
First aid kitsqty 2
Flashlightsqty 4
Batteriesqty 24
Walkie-talkiesqty 6

Lighting

LED spotlightsqty 8
Theatre spotlightsqty 4
Light standqty 2
Mood lightingqty 4
Spare flashlightsqty 6

Tableware

Drinking glassesqty 180
Coffee cupsqty 60
Platesqty 60
Platesqty 180
Forksqty 180
Knivesqty 180
Spoonsqty 120
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Carafesqty 12
Coffee potsqty 4

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Hot traysqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 3
Measuring cupsqty 3
traysqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 4
Kettlesqty 3
Storage cratesqty 20
Ice packsqty 30
Bottle openersqty 4
Thermos bottlesqty 10

Decorations

Backdrop clothsqty 3
Tableclothsqty 10
Stage drapesqty 4
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Directional signsqty 12
Program boardsqty 4
Clothing coversqty 30
Mirrorsqty 4
Costume racksqty 4
Name badgesqty 40
Program bookletsqty 180
Entry wristbandsqty 180
Pensqty 12
Clipboardsqty 6
Cash box
Crew wristbandsqty 40

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Cleaning cart
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Disinfectant gelqty 6
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Hand broomsqty 4
Toilet brushesqty 4
Paper towelsqty 12
Toilet paper stockqty 24

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Baby potatoes - 8 kilograms
- Rice - 5 kilograms
- Pasta - 5 kilogram
- Tomato sauce - 8 jars
- Vegetable stock - 2 boxes
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Sunflower oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 2 packs
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Onions - 3 kilograms
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 20 pieces
- Zucchini - 12 pieces
- Mushrooms - 3 kilogram
- Broccoli - 8 heads
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Mixed lettuce - 12 bags
- Chickpeas - 12 cans
- Feta - 2 kilograms
- Grated cheese - 2 kilogram
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Chicken breast - 6 kilograms
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Pita bread - 80 pieces
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Vegan toppings - 12 packages
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Snacks - 8 bags
- Mixed nuts - 3 kilogram
- Olives - 2 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Mandarins - 40 pieces
- Brownies - 120 pieces
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Vegan cookies - 4 packs
- Gluten-free crackers - 4 packs
- Yogurt drink - 24 bottles
- Energy bars - 30 pieces
- Sports drink - 24 bottles
- Herb cheese - 6 tubs
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
Water dispensersqty 3
Drink dispensersqty 4
Cooling platesqty 6
Sealable storage binsqty 12
Allergen labelsqty 80
Napkin holdersqty 12
Thermos cups for crewqty 30

Tips

Count tableware against your expected audience, not just ticket sales: allow at least one drinking glass per guest, plus extra glasses for performers, crew, and breakage.
Reserve stage sections, dance floor panels, speakers, mixer, microphones, and lighting as soon as the venue and technical requirements are confirmed; popular equipment may need several weeks’ notice.
Pack a technical backup kit with spare audio cables, extension cords, power strips, gaffer tape, and at least two flashlights. These small items are often missed until setup starts.
Arrange clothes racks and enough hangers before the final rehearsal so costumes can be sorted by dancer or scene. Add labels and keep props together in separate containers rather than loose backstage.
Keep reception supplies separate from show equipment: folding reception tables, tickets, wristbands, pens, signage, serving platters, and serving tongs should be ready before the venue opens.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a dance performance?: Plan for costumes, props, stage or dance floor equipment, speakers, a mixer, microphones if needed, lighting, cables, power strips, seating, reception furniture, tableware, and refreshments. Make the final shopping and equipment check 3–7 days before the performance.
How many glasses do I need for a dance performance?: Start with one drinking glass per audience member, then add 10–15% for crew, performers, refills, and breakage. If you also serve coffee, count one coffee cup per expected coffee drinker and add at least 10 extra cups for a small event.
What technical backups should I bring to a dance show?: Bring spare audio cables, extension cords, power strips, gaffer tape, a laptop with the checked music files, and at least two flashlights. Test every connection during the final rehearsal, no later than the day before the show.
When should I reserve dance performance equipment?: Reserve stage sections, dance floor panels, speakers, mixer, microphones, stands, and spotlights once the venue and technical requirements are confirmed. Aim for at least 2–4 weeks before the performance, and check availability again one week beforehand.

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