[tech2000]

At my school, we always checked the batteries, tested the microphone, and put it in a plastic ziplock bag with the actor or character's name on it and then place our case of mics in the greenroom for the actors to pick up and put on, on their own. They still have to come out and do a sound check, but that's easy.
Then we always tell them to take off their mics and put them back in the ziplock bag. Then our sound guy will turn off, and put the mics and packs back in their storage spot.
We threaten actors with a huge fine if the mic or pack is broken in anyway.

jkowtko, that's a good idea for storing mic packs, I should look into doing that...