The Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT) has recently deployed Clear-Com’s Arcadia Central Station, with the objective of trying to resolve its persistent communication issues and streamline coordination across departments. The upgrade was carried out in collaboration with Clear-Com’s regional partner, Electronics & Engineering Pte Ltd. (E&E), as the company has claimed in a statement.

In a theatrical environment, communication breakdowns can directly impact show quality. SRT had begun experiencing reliability issues with its aging intercom system, including occasional interference and wear that hindered clear communication among the production team. “Every cue matters during a production”, said Lee Kong Shen, technical manager at SRT. “Our previous system just wasn’t keeping up with our pace. We knew we needed a change, something dependable, intuitive and future-ready”.

After evaluating several vendors, the team selected Clear-Com’s Arcadia Central Station as the foundation for their upgraded system. The new setup integrates wireless FreeSpeak II digital beltpacks and transceivers. Operating in the 1.9 GHz band, the system was designed with the intention of ensuring interference-free performance and minimising conflict with wireless microphones and Wi-Fi signals.

Additionally, Arcadia features the ability to bridge existing analog infrastructure with newer digital capabilities, looking forward to enabling a phased upgrade approach without disrupting ongoing operations. “Our communication capabilities improved dramatically”, added Lee. “The Clear-Com system offered crisp, uninterrupted interaction between departments, enabling us to respond to on-the-fly issues quickly and efficiently. Plus, its scalability meant we could expand or adapt the system based on the complexity of each production”-.

Installation was carried out with minimal cabling and no disruption to the theatre’s busy performance schedule. Clear-Com and E&E also provided thorough training and support throughout the integration process. “The user-friendly interface meant our crew could quickly get up to speed”, explained Lee. “It’s intuitive and reliable which was exactly what we needed”.

“We had a fantastic experience”, concluded Lee. “Both teams were incredibly responsive and proactive. From the initial consultation to post-installation support, they’ve been with us every step of the way. That level of commitment is rare and deeply appreciated”.