It depends on what
level your
theatre is. From what other prestigious techs have taught me (and please, correct me if I'm wrong) , shows on broadway don't even do individual sound checks because everything is so consistent. Nothing changes between performances. It becomes a daily wast of time. But, they sometimes do some group numbers, just to get a good overall mix.
I know that Metallica also hasn't had a
sound check for a while since Mick Hughes, the sound guy, says “After 18 years I know what I expect to hear!” But, he still does a
line check.
Of course, I still have mic checks at my school, where I just EQ, and set the levels for everything, and then the mic checks for the other performances are just to make sure nothing went askew. We have lower quality equipment, and we also place our lavs over the ear, which is more sensative to placement, so there is a larger possibility that something could go wrong. A lot of people
play it safe and check everything that could possibly go wrong. For others, it just gets old and pointless.
I personally think it is stupid to have a mic check just to see if the mics work. This should be done before they are put on the actors. You can also check the RF's on the receivers, and the AF on the board. But, everyone has their own opinion and style, and their own needs. For me, every mic check is to check up on the
level and EQ.
But, these guys are more correct on what is proper. (especially Van's first comment =) ) That is the way I always do it, but once you become a big dog, you can do whatever you want.
Once you know all the rules, and understand them, then you can brake them.
I don't know about you, but I am far from that
point...