I too agree that Shure is a good brand, I have worked with Sennheiser Lavs and they are ok, had alot of problems with cables shorting out. I ussual go with shure's
LX or their newer SLX series, which has a frequency scanner to find the best frequency, this is helpful when using alot of wireless equipment on stage. A good company that is use is
http://www.bhphotovideo.com . They have excellent prices for most gear. Anyone you order with be sure to ask for the educational/government rates, they sometimes can save you a few bucks. Another tip is to check with your purchasing staff, (IE the ones who order furniture, supplies
etc.) Most public schools are apart of purchasing orgs such as KCDA or ACUI. (depending on your school and state location) With this all said, you can get good quality products for lower prices because you are in an educational setting, use it to your advantage. Another helpful tip may to get additional funds from your assoicated student body (ASB) or administration, because this equipment can be used for more then just
theatre events. Best of luck in your search.
Josh - Central Washington University