Berkeley Repertory Theatre and Clear-Com Partnership Enhances Communication for World-Class Productions

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.