ALAMEDA, USA – October 16, 2024 – The historic Kunstmin Theater, a cultural landmark in the heart of Dordrecht, has undergone a communication transformation with the installation of Clear-Com's award-winning Arcadia® Central Station System. The recent upgrade replaces the theater's outdated intercom system and seamlessly connects its two locations, Schouwburg and Energiehuis, through a unified, state-of-the-art communication platform.
Kunstmin’s head technician, Bart Meester, shared the reasoning behind the decision to switch to Clear-Com: “We had been using two different systems for years—an early Clear-Com digital system, FreeSpeak digital wireless system, combined with an analog ASL partyline system. While these systems served us well, it was time for a modern solution.”
After careful research and multiple demonstrations, Kunstmin chose Clear-Com’s Arcadia system for its ability to integrate both wired and wireless digital communication in one platform. “The clear sound quality and seamless wireless communication across our venues made Arcadia the obvious choice,” Meester added.
Kunstmin operates across two locations: the Schouwburg theater and Energiehuis, a multi-functional space used for workshops and rentals. These venues, half a kilometer apart, are now interconnected with fiber optic cables, allowing both sites to share the same intercom system. “We can use our four rooms independently or link them together as one large space, all controlled within the Arcadia system,” Meester explained. “The wireless FreeSpeak II® beltpacks enable our team to move freely between the two locations without losing communication, which is crucial given the nature of our work.”
Meester also noted the ease of use of the system for visiting artists and technicians: “Clear-Com’s system is so intuitive that we can confidently hand it over to external users, something that wasn’t always possible with our old setup.”
WG Theatertechniek, in partnership with Ampco Flashlight Sales, installed the Arcadia system at Kunstmin. Ramon van der Zalm from WG Theatertechniek remarked on the theater’s forward-thinking approach: “The staff at Kunstmin is incredibly knowledgeable and invested in understanding the full capabilities of the system. They are now set for future expansion should they need additional capacity.”
Frans van Houten, product specialist at Ampco Flashlight Sales, expressed his satisfaction with the project: “This installation has been a powerful collaboration between Schouwburg Kunstmin, WG Theatertechniek, and Clear-Com. The Arcadia system has proven its strength, and we’re proud to have been part of this successful upgrade.”
Kunstmin theater’s decision to invest in Clear-Com technology has not only enhanced its daily operations but also future-proofed its communication infrastructure for years to come.
For more information, visit https://www.clearcom.com/