Com Headsets
As a Show Caller, it’s your responsibility to call all the technical cues (audio, lighting, video, backstage, etc.) and ensure the audience is having a great experience in the room. In order to call cues, you communicate with the production crew by wearing a com headset.
There are two types: the single-muff (covers one ear) and the double-muff (covers both ears). Most often Show Callers wear the single-muff headset. This allows them to hear what’s being said on com while also hearing what’s happening in the room.
5 REASONS SHOW CALLERS WEAR A SINGLE-MUFF HEADSET:
Crew & Room: As the Show Caller, you’re in charge, and it’s best to have one ear dedicated to the production crew and one ear for the room. When you need to hear only the room, it’s still easy to remove your headset for a minute. Or if you need to hear only what’s being said on com, it’s easy to plug your open ear, if needed.
Audio Engineer: When wearing a headset, always make sure your open ear—the ear without the muff—is open to the Audio Engineer. They don’t wear a headset because so they can fully hear the audio in the room. Therefore, the Audio Engineer is the only person unable to communicate to the Show Caller via com so it’s important to have your open ear to them.
Audio Cues: If the audio cues are playing too loud or quiet in the house, it can ruin your audiences’ experience. Having one ear open to hearing the house helps you give notes to the Audio Engineer.
Emergencies: If there’s an emergency in the room, having an open ear allows someone to get the Show Caller’s attention verbally and you can still communicate over com to the production crew.
Phone Calls: With a single-muff headset, you can take a phone call, if needed.