What to Buy for a Talent Show

A talent show needs more than a stage and a microphone. You will need supplies for registration, judging, refreshments, certificates and prizes, plus reliable ways to connect every performance. Plan quantities around your confirmed audience and participant count. For drinks, allow two to three per person during the first hour, then one per hour after that. Check technical requirements with performers before shopping, especially for DI boxes, adapters, cables and playback equipment.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Stage sectionsqty 6
Jury tablesqty 2
Registration desk
Beer tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 120
Bar stoolsqty 6
Coat racksqty 3
Waste binsqty 8

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Wireless microphonesqty 4
Microphone standsqty 4
Stage monitorsqty 2
DI boxesqty 4
Laptop
Music player
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 6
Cable traysqty 10
Cable tapeqty 6
Printer
Camera
Power banksqty 4

Lighting

LED spotlightsqty 6
Light standsqty 2
Mood lightingqty 4

Tableware

Drinking glassesqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 6

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Ice cube traysqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Knivesqty 6
Serving tongsqty 6
Coolersqty 3

Decorations

Stage backdrop
Balloon archesqty 2
Buntingqty 6
Tableclothsqty 12
Name card holdersqty 20
Directional signsqty 8
Photo backdrop

Sports equipment

Cable matsqty 8
Bollardsqty 12
Barrier tapeqty 4

Cleaning

Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Vacuum cleaner
Cleaning cartsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea assortment - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Still water - 8 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Beer - 8 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Prosecco - 4 bottles
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Limes - 1 kilo
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Bananas - 4 kilos
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Strawberries - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 2 kilos
- Arugula - 6 bags
- Mixed salad - 6 bags
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini rolls - 120 pieces
- Wraps - 80 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Herb cream cheese - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 3 kilos
- Ham - 3 kilos
- Smoked salmon - 1 kilo
- Falafel - 2 kilos
- Egg salad - 2 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Pesto - 4 jars
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 can
- Paprika powder - 1 can
- Italian herbs - 1 canister
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Party snacks - 4 kilos
- Olives - 3 jars
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 100 pieces
- Mini muffins - 100 pieces
- Chocolate - 4 boxes
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper cups - 250 pieces
- Paper plates - 250 pieces
- Wooden skewers - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Cleaning cloths - 24 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 packs

Tips

Plan one jury form and one pen per judge, plus at least 10% extra copies in case a form is lost or a score needs correcting. Keep the printed run sheet at registration, backstage and the technical desk.
For drinks, calculate two to three servings per guest for the first hour and one serving per guest for each additional hour. Add water separately; performers and judges should not have to rely on the bar.
Allow one drinking glass per seated guest, plus roughly 20% extra for breakage and replacements. If you serve coffee, provide one cup per expected coffee drinker and keep spare cups near the coffee machines.
Buy cable tape and use cable trays wherever leads cross a walking route. Bring extension cords and power strips only after checking the distance from the mixer, speakers, lights and stage monitors to the power supply.
Order prizes and prepare certificates before registration closes, not after the running order is published. Buy or print at least one prize and one certificate for every planned award, with a few blank certificates for last-minute changes.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a talent show?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Add extra water for performers, judges and anyone working backstage.
How many microphones are needed for a talent show?: Start with one wireless microphone for the host and at least one additional microphone for performers who need vocal microphones. Confirm the final number after collecting each act’s technical requirements, ideally at least one week before the show.
What should I buy for talent show judging?: Prepare one printed jury form and one pen per judge for every judging round, plus at least 10% spare copies. Keep the judging criteria and a printed running order with the jury materials.
When should I order talent show prizes and certificates?: Order prizes and prepare certificates as soon as the award categories are fixed, preferably at least two weeks before the event. Keep a few blank certificates available until the final results are confirmed.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.