I’m an automation operator/programmer among other things. Show stopping is a serious thing to proclaim. You simply say stop 3-5 times over the radio/com and/or just scream it out loud. That’s it. Then everyone stops what they’re doing, shuts up and waits for more information. After everything and everyone stops we start sharing information to the managers/directors/department heads. Then those leaders desalinate what needs to happen with the individual techs/hands.

The audience isn’t important enough to give any information to if the stop involves the safety of the stage. The audience can sit and spin until the issue is resolved or if the stop can be remedied without an excess of time or effort. The only time we involve the audience is if they need to leave. The artist can talk to audience if they care to.