Talent show shopping list
A talent show needs more than a stage and a microphone. You’ll need reliable sound equipment, enough seating for the audience, a clear setup for judges and performers, and supplies for refreshments and certificates. This shopping list helps you estimate quantities before you buy or borrow anything. Check the venue’s power supply, stage dimensions, and available furniture early, because replacement equipment and extra seating are often difficult to arrange at short notice.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Stage sectionsqty 6
- Stage steps
- Audience chairsqty 90
- Foldable tablesqty 10
- Jury tablesqty 2
- Bar stoolsqty 6
- Coat racksqty 2
- Clothes hangersqty 100
Tableware
- Drinking glassesqty 120
- Wine glassesqty 60
- Coffee cupsqty 80
- Platesqty 100
- Cake platesqty 100
- Cutlery setsqty 100
- Serving spoonsqty 8
- Serving bowlsqty 12
Decorations
- Balloonsqty 100
- Balloon arch
- Backdrop cloth
- Star foilqty 4
- Buntingqty 12
- Tableclothsqty 12
- Name badgesqty 120
- Wayfinding signsqty 8
- Prize trophiesqty 3
- Certificate foldersqty 15
- Gold ribbonsqty 3
- Photo booth propsqty 20
Equipment
- Speakersqty 2
- Mixer
- Wireless microphonesqty 3
- Microphone standsqty 3
- Music laptop
- Laptop stand
- Extension cordsqty 8
- Power stripsqty 8
- Gaffer tapeqty 4
- DI boxesqty 2
- Spare batteriesqty 12
- USB sticksqty 4
- Active DI boxesqty 2
- Presentation clicker
- Spare laptop
- Charging cablesqty 6
- Cable tiesqty 50
Lighting
- LED spotlightsqty 6
- Light standsqty 2
- Cable dimmersqty 2
- Mood lightingqty 6
- Emergency lightsqty 4
Kitchen
- Coffee machinesqty 2
- Kettlesqty 2
- Coolersqty 4
- Ice cube traysqty 6
- Serving traysqty 12
- Thermos flasksqty 6
- Drink dispensersqty 4
- Bar matsqty 3
Cleaning
- Waste binsqty 8
- Broom and dustpanqty 3
- Mopsqty 3
- Bucketsqty 3
- Cleaning glovesqty 6
- Microfiber clothsqty 12
- All-purpose cleanerqty 3
Catering
- Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 8 bottles
- Still mineral water - 10 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Sparkling wine - 4 bottles
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted sticks - 4 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Popcorn - 3 bags
- Mini cucumbers - 3 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Strawberries - 3 kilos
- Cheese cubes - 3 kilo
- Brie - 8 pieces
- Hummus - 10 tubs
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Tzatziki - 6 containers
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olives - 4 jars
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Toast squares - 10 packs
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini croissants - 80 pieces
- Mini sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Vegetarian wraps - 40 pieces
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Cucumber - 10 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Arugula - 1 kilo
- Pasta salad - 8 kilo
- Potato salad - 6 kilos
- Quinoa salad - 4 kilo
- Mini meatballs - 5 kilos
- Vegetarian meatballs - 3 kilos
- Chicken skewers - 4 kilos
- Vegetarian quiche - 6 pieces
- Mini pizzas - 80 pieces
- French fries sauce - 2 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Mini muffins - 80 pieces
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Chocolate - 3 kilos
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Herb mix - 4 sachets
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Napkins - 400 pieces
- Paper straws - 200 pieces
- Coffee filters - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 3 bottles
Tips
- Allow roughly one audience chair per expected guest, plus 5–10% extra if the venue has space. Set aside separate tables and chairs for the judges so score sheets, pens, and drinks do not compete with performance equipment.
- For a small show, plan at least two microphones, two microphone stands, speakers, a mixer, and a music laptop. Test every cable and audio file at the venue at least one day before the show.
- Prepare one name card for every performer, judge, presenter, and key volunteer. Pack spare cards and markers; last-minute programme changes are common after the final registrations are checked.
- Plan refreshments by headcount rather than by guesswork: have 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then about 1 drink per person for each additional hour. Add cups, plates, cutlery, serving bowls, and serving spoons to the same order.
- Buy or prepare certificates and prizes before the final performance list is printed. Keep them together with the jury forms and a few blank certificates so a late entrant or category change does not delay the presentation.
Frequently asked questions
- What equipment do I need for a talent show?
- For a small indoor show, plan for speakers, a mixer, two wireless microphones, microphone stands, a music laptop, and a laptop stand. Add stage sections and a stage step if the venue does not already provide a safe platform. Test the complete setup at least 24 hours beforehand.
- How many chairs do I need for a talent show audience?
- Prepare one chair for each confirmed audience member and add 5–10% spare capacity where possible. For 80 guests, that means 84–88 chairs. Keep a clear aisle and leave enough room around the stage and jury tables.
- How many drinks should I buy for a talent show?
- For the first hour, allow 2–3 drinks per person, followed by around 1 drink per person for each additional hour. For 50 guests at a two-hour show, plan roughly 150–200 drinks, then add cups and a small reserve for performers and volunteers.
- When should I buy talent show supplies?
- Order or borrow stage, seating, sound, and microphone equipment at least 1–2 weeks before the show. Buy perishable refreshments 1–2 days before the event, and prepare jury forms, name cards, certificates, and prizes no later than the day before.
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