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Cue Sheet Generator

Build professional cue sheets with auto-numbering, color-coded cue types, and print-ready formatting. Free for stage managers and showcallers.

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What Is a Cue Sheet?

A cue sheet is a document used in live production that lists every technical action (cue) that needs to happen during a show. Each cue has a number, a type (lighting, sound, video, etc.), a trigger that tells the operator when to execute, and a description of what happens.

Stage managers and showcallers use cue sheets to "call" the show — announcing each cue over comms so operators execute at precisely the right moment. A well-organized cue sheet is the backbone of any professional production.

Cue Sheet Best Practices

Use Clear Triggers

Every cue should have an unambiguous trigger. "GO on applause" is clearer than just "applause". "When MC says 'please welcome'" is better than "MC intro".

Number by Department

Use department prefixes: LX1 for lighting, SND1 for sound, VID1 for video. This helps operators quickly identify their cues in a dense cue sheet.

Keep Descriptions Short

Descriptions should be scannable at a glance during a live show. "Full stage wash — blue" is better than "Bring up all front and back wash fixtures to 100% in blue gel".

Include Duration/Timing

Noting "5s fade" or "instant" helps operators prepare for the speed of each cue. This is especially important for lighting and sound fades.

From Paper Cue Sheets to Digital

Printed cue sheets work well for straightforward shows, but complex productions need something more dynamic. When a producer adds a last-minute segment or the running order changes during rehearsal, reprinting cue sheets wastes time and risks confusion.

Rundown Studio digitizes the entire workflow. Your cues, timing, and running order live in one shared document that updates in real-time across every device. Your stage manager calls the show from a live screen instead of shuffling paper.

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