Producing a seamless live show hinges on super high level backstage coordination and smooth transitions. Begin by establishing clear communication channels, utilizing headsets, walkie-talkies, or hand signals to keep the team connected. Conduct thorough rehearsals, emphasizing transitions to identify and resolve any potential issues ahead of time. Create a structured cue system, ensuring every crew member is aware of their specific roles and timing during the performance. Maintain a steady flow of information, fostering a cooperative environment where team members can quickly adapt to any changes. With meticulous planning and collaboration, your live show can run without any major issues. Break a leg!

Transitions can make or break your event. Even with amazing content, bad transitions will make you look like amateurs. To ace them: - Cohesive Vision: Keep the big picture in mind from the start. Transitions should feel smooth and intentional. - Clear Plan: A solid run of show is your best friend—assign every cue and task clearly. - Constant Communication:Keep front and back-of-house teams in sync, following the stage manager’s cues. - Rehearsals:Even simple transitions need a quick backstage huddle. For bigger events, run cue-to-cue. - Tech Savvy:Use lighting, sound, and video to your advantage—just double-check those cues! When transitions are on point, your event will shine, and your team will look like pros!

Rehearsal is key. Having time to figure out the smoothest transition and then being able to practice it can make or break that transition. Being able to talk via comm and get through even if something does go wrong and pivot can be vital. Having a strong showcaller/stage manager to facilitate the client's vision and lead the team to coordinate the transition.

Besides the obvious- like using headsets, rehearsing, transition, two things I don’t see as often enough and two things that I always do myself: 1. Use crew members names as much as possible on headset. Using crew members names ensure catching their attention at crucial moments. 2. Rehearse failures & redundancy implementations. Redundancies are back up plans, yes, but if not rehearsed, they will not go smoothly if/when needed. We cannot have such hubris as to assume we will never need our contingencies, or if we do, that we will execute them smoothly w/o having rehearsed them. When rehearsed, pivots to redundancies (such as a back up video playback after failure of a primary video playback) will not be as noticeable to an audience.

Develop a detailed schedule and assign clear roles to each crew member. Use real-time communication tools, such as headsets, to ensure everyone is aligned. Conduct a walkthrough before the event to identify and resolve potential issues.

Depending on the event format the answer will vary a lot. I think overarching: Clear Briefings, Clear chain of comand, Rehearse the full thing as often you can. And wireless intercom is a priceless invention :-)

First things first...Dry runs are key to a successful event, Communication between Backstage and Main console has to be coordinated and be in sync, Understanding the flow and timings with the entire team is very essential and the main thing is not to panic.

1. Ensure a detailed show run sheet with all details and standby remarks for next element 2. A complete tech run with all team members in position 3. Ideally wireless clearcoms / talkbacks 4. Video monitor - large plasma TV showing live stage to keep artist , entries updated and on standby 5. Clear instructions by show runner to backstage in charge on left and right of stage 6. Smart volunteers to support backstage in charge and call the next entry on time 7. Bottom faced lights to clearly mark path to enter from stage sides upto the stairs 8. No panic or raising of voice on callbacks by show runner or backstage in charge team, the show runner to have a final say 9. All props , awards , Trophies, trays to be arranged sequentially backstage

My number 1 tip is be prepared for anything! After working as host in a live broadcast and live event role for many years, it’s important to expect the unexpected. Make sure your host/emcee is comfortable relating comfortably and naturally to the audience. Should the unexpected occur, honesty and humour is the best policy! Then on with the show!