An Event-Day Cue Sheet Your Whole Team Can Use

A running order is useful only if the people working the event can use it under pressure. A cue sheet turns a long plan into short, clear prompts for the people who need to act at the right moment.

Put the essential information first

At the top, list the event lead, the current version, the venue, the date and the main contact route. Include where the team should meet and who can approve a change to the schedule. If several versions are circulating, an obvious time stamp helps everyone work from the same plan.

Give each cue an owner

For every segment, write the planned time, what happens, who starts it and what must be ready. “19:00 doors” is less useful than “19:00 doors open; front-of-house lead confirms stewards in position; sound stays on the agreed playlist.” Keep each line brief enough to scan quickly. Add a separate column for notes such as microphone changes, accessibility announcements or a lighting state.

Plan for a change

Identify a few flexible points where the programme can catch up if something runs late. Decide who tells performers, technicians and the front-of-house team about a change. An updated cue sheet should reach every team that depends on it, rather than only the person at the desk.

After the event, note which cues were unclear. The best template is the one that improves after every show and gives the next team a calm, shared starting point.