Clear-Com optimizes AV infrastructure at the University of Kent

Con Arcadia, Clear-Com has improved the management of communications and AV equipment at the Performing Arts Center of the Kent State University.

Located on the campus of the Kent State University (Ohio), The Performing Arts Center is dedicated to creative excellence and providing an optimal learning environment for students. After having a single-channel communications system and walkie-talkies for some time, the theater and dance school evolved its production communication with the installation of an IP intercom platform Arcadia Central Station de Clear-Com.

New Arcadia system integrates with intercom user stations Clear-Com FreeSpeak II y HelixNet that had previously been installed. This configuration combines all the functionality that Kent State University requires to have the clear and constant communications it needs for each stage of production, from pre-production technical configuration, including classroom education, to the actual performances.

“With three locations, including our Porthouse Theater outdoor stage, we produce ten plays, dance and musicals per year, all designed and produced by students”, says Jeff Polunas, assistant professor of sound design and projection. “With such a tight production schedule, we wanted to make our shows run more efficiently and increase the educational value for students.

The intercom system was to be used in three theaters in Kent State, So the team looked for a portable and rack-mounted intercom solution that required no additional hardware and only minimal configuration changes.. Have Arcadia products, FreeSpeak II and HelixNet in the company also evolved the sound design curriculum at Kent State, providing students with real practical experience in professional audiovisual communications.

Jeff states that his students “They gain essential know-how while configuring and installing, test and recalibrate communications systems, and they dismantle everything again after each show. From pre-production to performance, It is an intensive practice for our students and provides us with the portable and flexible production capacity that we needed. It has contributed to improving the educational experience of our students”.

He went on to point out that “apart from the general improvement of our production communications, we found Clear-Com Core Configuration Manager, a browser based solution, very useful when configuring and managing infrastructure. It is very intuitive and provides us with a visualization of all the components of our system, including interface monitoring”.

With its Clear-Com intercom infrastructure, Kent School of Theater and Dance improves its production value with each performance. Connect all users with a clear communications system, easy to use and manage.

“Whether they're moving behind the scenes in lighting or props, as if they are in the control room working with the switch, The robust quality of the Clear-Com system eliminates many hours previously spent troubleshooting faulty equipment or maintenance delays. The production team can now focus on creative performances, supported by concise and reliable communications”.