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Green Room
HME Part of Old Globe Renovation
San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre recently opened their newly-renovated Conrad
Prebys Theatre Center, featuring a 250-seat arena-style theatre. Installing a wireless
communication infrastructure for the backstage crew proved difficult, as the
massive amounts of steel and concrete used in the new construction, as well
as the fact that two floors of the Center were below ground, posed a uniquely
complex problem for the production crew’s communication needs. HME, an
international wireless communications company based in San Diego, provided
engineers and a HME PRO850 intercom system to solve the problem.
Each PRO850 base station has two antenna connectors, one for receive and
one for transmit signals. To solve the Center’s need for better coverage HME engineers
built a custom antenna splitter/combiner, which took the three individual
transmission antennas and merged them into a single line that could connect to
the PRO850. The three transmit antennas were placed throughout the building to
offer comprehensive coverage despite the concrete and steel barriers.
The newly-created hands-free communication system allows the backstage
production crew the ability to stay in constant, clear communication with one
another both above ground and below, as well as up to 400 feet outside of the
theatre center itself.
industry news
City Theatrical Expands
Into London
City Theatrical has added standing inventory to their London
office, enabling same-day shipping of the City Theatrical product
line, fulfilling a long-time dream of City Theatrical president, Gary
Fails. Until now, customers could place orders at the City Theatrical
London office but the products were shipped from the U.S., and the
customers had to wait for delivery as well as pay customs charges
and shipping charges from America. Now, customers can order
products and have them shipped the same day from the London
office, and the price is fixed in pounds sterling with no shipping
charges from the U.S.
PLASA and ESTA Vote to Merge
ESTA, the principal trade association for the entertainment services and technology
industries in North America, and PLASA, the lead body for those working in the live
events, entertainment and communication industries worldwide, have voted to merge
their two organizations.
In a joint statement, PLASA CEO Matthew Griffiths and ESTA Executive Director Lori
Rubinstein said: “We believe the logic driving the merger is totally sound: the strengths
of both organizations are evident and we have an unequalled opportunity to increase
the value we provide to Members through services, networking and improved business
opportunities. A united approach to the issues and challenges of our industry will
provide major long-term benefits and greatly broaden the role of the PLASA.”
The announcement comes on the back of lengthy consultations with both sets
of memberships, which concluded recently in a formal vote of Members. More than
93% of Members from each association voted in support of the move, which will see
ESTA and PLASA integrated to create a single international trade association operating
under the PLASA name.