Open Forum

We may have a small amount of $ left over in our budget this year to purchase much-needed new headsets for our backstage crew. We may not need a new base but are looking into all options. We will need at least 4 headsets but will add to it as budget allows. Does anyone have recommendations for this? Keep in mind, I am not at all theater tech savvy.

A few random excepts about headsets from my theatre operations book for you...

I can't recommend any one brand, but for anyone thinking about installing or upgrading a headset system, consider that both wireless and wired headsets have their benefits and you should probably spec some of each.  

WIRED

Wired headsets don't eat up batteries, and are best for people who don't have to walk around.  For instance, the light board and sound board operators, the followspot operators. 

WIRELESS

Wireless headsets are best for crew who need to move around, such as a fly system operator.  The fly rail area can be a dangerous place and a long wired headset cable would be a big tripping hazard.  The SM should also have a wireless headset. Another person who has to move around backstage is a Mic Wrangler.  Likewise for the House Manager who has to move around the lobby, in and out of audience members, concession sellers, and the box office.  A cable would be very impractical.

Two more things to take into consideration:

RECHARABLE BATTERIES

You can spend hundreds of dollars a year on headset batteries - so be sure to include rechargables in your budget.

HOW MANY MUFFS

Always (almost always – the sound board op might be one exception) spec single muff headsets. A theatre is not a recording studio.  Theatre technicians absolutely must have single muff headsets. It is essential that one ear is uncovered in order for the technicians to be able to hear what is going on around them.  This is a huge safety issue.  Technicians on stage must be aware of their surroundings, and they must be able to hear any warning calls.

We may have a small amount of $ left over in our budget this year to purchase much-needed new headsets for our backstage crew. We may not need a new base but are looking into all options. We will need at least 4 headsets but will add to it as budget allows. Does anyone have recommendations for this? Keep in mind, I am not at all theater tech savvy.