What you need for an operetta performance

An operetta performance needs more than costumes and a stage. You will need audience seating, a working sound setup, lighting, dressing-room furniture, scenery, props and printed materials. This shopping list brings those items together so you can check what must be bought, borrowed or brought to the venue. Plan the backstage and front-of-house details early: coat storage, changing areas, directional signs and program booklets are easy to leave until the final week.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Chairsqty 160
Foldable tablesqty 8
Bar stoolsqty 4
Clothes racksqty 4
Coat rack hooksqty 180
Dressing room tablesqty 4
Changing room chairsqty 12

Equipment

Wireless microphonesqty 4
Microphone standsqty 4
Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Laptop
Audio cablesqty 8
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 6
Gaffer tapeqty 6
Ironsqty 2
Ironing boardsqty 2
Clothes steamersqty 2
Mirrorsqty 4
Clothes railsqty 4
Calculatorsqty 2
Walkie-talkiesqty 6
USB sticksqty 4
AA batteriesqty 24
AAA batteriesqty 24
Flashlightsqty 6

Lighting

LED spotlightsqty 8
Light standsqty 4
Atmosphere lightsqty 8

Decorations

Theater curtainsqty 4
Backdrop cloth
Decorative panelsqty 6
Artificial plantsqty 8
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Tableclothsqty 8
Clipboardsqty 6
Sticky tackqty 4
Buntingqty 8
Red carpet
Directional signsqty 12
Chalkboardsqty 4
Menu standsqty 8
Decorative candlesticksqty 8
LED candlesqty 24
Prop casesqty 6
Decorative vasesqty 8
Table décorqty 12

Tableware

Water glassesqty 180
Wine glassesqty 180
Coffee cupsqty 100
Coffee spoonsqty 100
Dessert platesqty 180
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 12

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Serving traysqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Bread basketsqty 8
Kitchen scale
Ice cube traysqty 6
Waste binsqty 6
Cooler thermometersqty 4

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broomqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Laundry basketsqty 4
Drying rackqty 2
Washable cleaning clothsqty 20
Laundry basketsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 18 bottles
- Spa Rood - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Savory puff pastry snacks - 300 pieces
- Mini quiches - 200 pieces
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Bell peppers - 12
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Pears - 30 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Cheese cubes - 3 kilo
- Brie - 12 packages
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Olives - 8 jars
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Salted crackers - 12 packs
- Wholegrain crackers - 8 packs
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Mini raisin buns - 200 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Strawberry jam - 4 jars
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Oregano - 1 pot
- Basil - 1 pot
- Tortilla wraps - 12 packs
- Chickpeas - 12 cans
- Corn - 8 cans
- Tuna - 8 cans
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Puff pastry - 20 packs
- Lactose-free cream cheese - 8 packs
- Gluten-free crackers - 8 packs
- Gluten-free bread - 8 loaves
- Vegan vegetable spread - 8 tubs
- Paper napkins - 600 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Food gloves - 4 boxes
- Cocktail picks - 4 boxes
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Stirrers - 300 pieces
- Paper straws - 200 pieces
- Butter cake - 8 pieces
- Mini apple turnovers - 200 pieces
- Chocolate cake - 8 pieces
- Vegan cookies - 12 packs
- Gluten-free cookies - 12 packs

Paper goods

Program bookletsqty 180
Ticket rollsqty 4
Name badgesqty 30
Ballpoint pensqty 20
Notepadsqty 8
A4 printing paperqty 2

Clothing

Costume racksqty 6
Clothes hangersqty 80
Clothing coversqty 50
Sewing kitsqty 4
Safety pinsqty 3
Costume labelsqty 80

Tips

Plan one chair per expected audience member, then add about 5% extra if the venue allows it. Also provide at least one table for programs, registrations or refreshments.
For a small performance, allow at least two wireless microphones, two microphone stands and enough audio cables to reach the mixer without crossing walkways. Test every microphone and cable before the performance day.
Prepare one dressing-room table and one changing-room chair for each shared backstage area. Add clothes racks and coat rack hooks before costumes arrive, rather than trying to organize them during the cast call.
Use gaffer tape to secure every cable and extension cord, especially around speakers, light stands and the laptop. Keep power strips accessible, but place them where performers and audience members cannot trip over them.
Print program booklets and directional signs several days before the performance. Keep spare copies of the running order, clipboards and sticky tack backstage so last-minute changes do not delay the doors opening.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for an operetta performance?: You need seating, tables, sound equipment, lighting, costumes, props, scenery, dressing-room furniture and printed materials. The plan includes 90 items in total, including microphones, speakers, a mixer, LED spotlights, backdrop materials, programs and directional signs.
How many chairs should I buy for an operetta audience?: Prepare one chair for every ticketed audience member and add roughly 5% spare capacity where possible. For 100 guests, that means about 105 chairs, subject to the venue’s fire and seating rules.
How many microphones are needed for an operetta performance?: For a small cast, start with at least two wireless microphones and two microphone stands, then increase the number if several performers need to speak or sing at the same time. Test the microphones, mixer, speakers and cables at least one day before the performance.
When should I print operetta programs and signs?: Print program booklets and directional signs at least three to five days before the performance. This leaves time to correct cast details, print replacements and put up posters or signs before the audience arrives.

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