What Is a Cue Sheet? Definition and Example
A cue sheet is an ordered list of every cue in a live show: lighting, audio, video, and stage cues, each with its timing and the department that runs it. Crews use it alongside the run of show so nothing is missed and every transition lands on time.
What goes on a cue sheet
Each row of a cue sheet is one cue: a cue number, the time or the moment it fires, the department that owns it, the action itself, and a note when the action needs context. Cues are numbered in show order, so the caller can say "standby Q4" and every department knows exactly what comes next. The example below shows the shape.
| Cue | Time | Department | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 6:30 PM | Lighting | House to half | On host walk-on |
| Q2 | 6:30 PM | Audio | Open Mic 1 | Host mic live |
| Q3 | 6:35 PM | Video | Cut to slides | Keynote deck |
| Q4 | 7:15 PM | Lighting | House up full | Break |
| Q5 | 7:30 PM | Audio | Open panel mics | 4 mics |
| Q6 | 8:15 PM | Video | Outro loop | Play to exit |
Cue sheet vs run of show
A run of show is the whole plan for the event, segment by segment. A cue sheet zooms in on the cues within it. On smaller shows the two live in one document: segments as rows, cue detail in the columns. That is how a run of show in NextShow works.
Building a cue sheet your crew can follow live
A printed cue sheet is right until the first change. Build it in NextShow instead: add a column for the department, a column for the action, and any others your show needs, then share one View link with the crew. When a cue moves, everyone is already looking at the current version. And as the show runs, the live active segment shows every department exactly where you are.
Questions
What is a production cue sheet?
A production cue sheet is an ordered list of every cue in a live show, with its timing, the department responsible, and the action to take. Lighting, audio, video, and stage crews work from it so every transition lands on time.
What is the difference between a cue sheet and a run of show?
A run of show is the whole plan for the event, segment by segment. A cue sheet zooms in on the cues inside it. On smaller shows the two live in one document: segments as rows, cue detail in the columns.
How do I share a cue sheet with the crew?
Share it as a live link instead of a printout. In NextShow you send one View link that opens in any browser, with no install and no account, and every change you make reaches the whole crew instantly.
