Guide
How to write a pageant run of show (with a template)
A run of show is the minute-by-minute plan for show night that the emcee, stage manager, sound and lights all follow. Here’s how to build one that runs on time.
By Nate Fetzer, a local pageant board member and the founder of SashBoard · Updated October 16, 2026
Start with the segments
List every segment in order. A typical local show looks like this (times are examples):
| Segment | Who | Example length |
|---|---|---|
| Contestants’ call | All contestants | Before doors |
| Welcome and opening number | Emcee, contestants | 8 min |
| Introductions | Each contestant | About 1 min each |
| Talent | Each contestant | About 2½ min each |
| Intermission | Audience | 15 min |
| Evening gown and on-stage question | Each contestant | About 2 min each |
| Awards and crowning | Emcee, outgoing titleholder | 15 min |
Time the per-contestant segments
Multiply by the number of contestants and add changeover time. Eleven contestants at about 2½ minutes each is roughly 28 minutes of talent before transitions. Leave a buffer: shows almost always run longer than the plan.
Put contestants in order
Per-contestant segments follow the contestant numbers from your lottery. Write each contestant’s name, number, hometown and talent into the order so the emcee and stage manager have it in front of them.
Write the emcee script to match
Give each segment its script, with placeholders such as “Contestant number {number}, {name}, from {hometown}.” Mark cues in brackets: [music up], [lights down], [pause for applause].
Add the crew’s cues
- Sound: which track plays, and whether it’s background music or a contestant’s talent track
- Lights: changes between segments
- Stage: props, microphones and who brings the crown
Collect every talent track ahead of time and test each one at rehearsal.
Rehearse, then call the show
Run the whole show at least once in the venue. On the night, one person calls the show: they give a standby before each cue and a go when it happens, and track whether the show is ahead of or behind the plan.
Example: the opening minutes of a run of show
A sample opening, with times counted from curtain. Your segments and lengths will differ.
| Time | Segment | Crew cue | Emcee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0:00 | Welcome | House lights down, stage wash up | Welcome, thank sponsors, introduce the judges |
| 0:05 | Opening number | Opening music, full stage | — |
| 0:09 | Introductions | Spotlight center, background music low | Each contestant by number, name and hometown |
| 0:20 | Talent, contestant 1 | Her music, her lighting note | Her talent introduction from her paperwork |
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Questions
What is a pageant run of show?
A minute-by-minute plan of show night that lists every segment, who is on stage and the cues for the emcee, sound and lights.
How long does a local pageant last?
It depends on the number of contestants and segments. Add up each segment, multiply per-contestant segments by the field size, and leave a buffer.
Who calls the show on pageant night?
Usually the show producer or stage manager, who gives each cue a standby and a go and keeps the show on time.