ALAMEDA, USA – November 19, 2024 – For decades, Berkeley Repertory Theatre has relied on Clear-Com® for high-performance communications that ensure precision and coordination during every production. As the theatre recently upgraded to Clear-Com’s award-winning Arcadia® Central Station, FreeSpeak II® digital wireless intercom, and HelixNet® Digital Network Partyline System, it continues a legacy of seamless communication that supports the artistry and technical demands of live performance. Located in downtown Berkeley, CA, the theatre’s two spaces—the 599-seat Roda Theatre and the 399-seat Peet’s Theatre are now equipped with Clear-Com’s state-of-the-art digital communications technology.
Founded in 1968, Berkeley Repertory Theatre has become a cornerstone of regional theatre, winning the 1997 Regional Theatre Tony Award® and earning a reputation for artistic excellence. Satisfying Berkely Rep’s requirements demand extensive flexibility as the theatre’s annual season, presented across its two stages, includes a wide range of productions from classic plays to world premieres and contemporary works.
The new system, overseen by Sound and Video Supervisor Lane Elms and Senior Sound Engineer Angela Don, brings together an Arcadia Base Station, FreeSpeak beltpacks, FreeSpeak Antenna Distribution units, and FreeSpeak Antennas, as well as multiple HelixNet Stations, HelixNet Remote Stations, HelixNet Belt Packs, and Powerlines. Arcadia serves as the central hub for the theatre, seamlessly integrating FreeSpeak II and HelixNet channels into one system. This unity is crucial for managing productions that span both theatres, enabling real-time communication between crew members across Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s stages.
“Clear-Com’s reliability and top-tier performance have supported our productions for decades,” said Lane Elms, Sound and Video Supervisor at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. “Clear-Com is essential to our live operations, from new works to full-scale pre-Broadway musicals. Our recent upgrade to a digital system has enhanced this even more, allowing us to seamlessly interface with our backstage page, lobby paging system, and archival recording systems. Beyond Clear-Com’s technology, we’re fortunate to have such a good relationship with their team. From the beginning, Clear-Com has checked in regularly—a practice that Regional Sales Manager Jay Wallace continues today. It’s reassuring to know Clear-Com is just a phone call away, and we’re proud to consider them part of our Berkeley Repertory Theatre family.”
Jay Wallace, who has worked closely with the theatre for years, underscored Clear-Com’s relationship with the team, “Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s dedication to creating one-of-a-kind high-quality theatre has been so exciting to watch and support. We’re honored to provide their work with a reliable system that meets their needs.”
Clear-Com’s Arcadia system unifies the FreeSpeak II and HelixNet systems, allowing shared channels and expanding the team’s ability to coordinate complex productions across both stages. This integrated approach allows for greater flexibility, from monitoring multiple channels to creating customized workflows that enhance efficiency.
Clear-Com’s real-time communication solutions are an essential part of Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s behind-the-scenes operations, offering consistent reliability, clarity, and ease of use that is critical to delivering high-caliber productions. “Clear-Com’s solutions are more than just equipment—they’re an integral part of our theatre,” said Angela Don, Senior Sound Engineer at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. “It’s great to know we have such dedicated support, from technology that meets our evolving needs to a team that’s always there for us.”
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