13 - Communications

Abstract

This chapter discusses the efficient use of communications in an auditorium. The term communications may cover a variety of independent systems, some related solely to performance control and others to more general uses. To achieve compatibility, it is important to take all aspects of current and potential demand into consideration when planning new installations.With ever-increasing technical complexity on the stage and the pressure to make efficient use of manpower in all areas, the inclusion of comprehensive communications facilities is essential to any building in which an audience gathers to watch an event. The ability to communicate quickly and reliably is a key requirement for stage managers, and it is inadvisable to rely entirely on a single system. With advances in electronics providing sophisticated speech communication at modest cost, cue lights are no longer the only reasonable means of controlling a performance; however, they are silent, reliable, and interference-free and should still form a part of all comprehensive stage management installations. Auditoria should be equipped with systems to help those with hearing difficulties. These now falls into two categories, that is, (1) systems that make use of standard hearing-aids and (2) systems requiring special aids.