Riedel Communications today announced that Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) has successfully integrated the Bolero wireless intercom system into their student-run productions. OCSA, a renowned nonprofit public arts high school, utilized the Bolero system for both a live sketch comedy show and their annual fundraising gala, enhancing the students’ creative capabilities and technical skills.
The Bolero system, featuring three antennas, 18 beltpacks, and 18 headsets (10 Air and eight Max), provided the students with professional-grade communication tools. This setup allowed them to bring their artistic visions to life, facilitating a seamless and efficient production environment.
“Using the Bolero system, we expanded our show’s scope and incorporated more dynamic elements than ever before. It was essential not just for our show, but also when we faced unexpected challenges during the gala,” said Morgan Ang, a senior and Performance Coordinator at OCSA. “Bolero’s multichannel capability connected our directors, camera operators, two studios with notoriously poor reception, and the control room, extending even to outdoor locations and across the street. This constant communication, even during lunch breaks, was indispensable. We are immensely grateful to Riedel for their support, which has helped us grow as artists and professionals.”
The Bolero system played a crucial role in the second annual “OCSA Unleashed,” a student-produced sketch comedy show inspired by popular formats like “Saturday Night Live.” Broadcast live on YouTube from the school’s campus studios, this year’s event involved over 100 students from five of OCSA’s 17 arts conservatories: Film & Television, Production & Design, Creative Writing, Acting, and Musical Theatre. Bolero’s wireless flexibility and reliability enabled the expansion from a three-camera to an 11-camera setup, ensuring flawless communication across a diverse and extensive team. The system’s range allowed seamless coordination, even for outdoor and cross-street scenes during the final sketch, which transitioned from live to a prerecorded scavenger hunt.
“Discovering and implementing the Bolero system was a game changer,” said Willie Yao, a senior at OCSA. “Its ease of use, reliability, long battery life, and excellent coverage allowed us to focus on our performance without worrying about communication issues. The reply and push-to-talk buttons were easy to use, even for first-year students, and customization features like renaming packs and setting party lines were fantastic. We are thankful for Riedel’s support, which has been crucial to our success. This experience has significantly enhanced our production quality and prepared us for future professional endeavors.”
Bolero’s versatility was further demonstrated during OCSA’s annual fundraising gala, held a week before “OCSA Unleashed,” with back-to-back rehearsals. When the in-house communication system failed unexpectedly, students swiftly deployed the Bolero system within an hour, ensuring reliable communication in a room filled with more than 500 attendees.
The journey to acquiring the Bolero system began with the students. Yao and Ang’s research into communication systems suitable for their productions led them to Bolero, inspired by its presence at sporting events and a local Orange County large amusement park. Intrigued by Bolero’s crystal-clear audio, robustness, reliability, plug-and-play setup, long battery life, and Bluetooth integration, the students reached out to Riedel. Their initiative paid off when Joyce Bente, president and CEO of Riedel Communications North America, responded promptly to their inquiry.
“We are incredibly proud of our students’ initiative and ambition,” said Julia Gutierrez, Director of Public Relations at OCSA. “‘OCSA Unleashed’ showcases their talents and demonstrates their passion and dedication to their craft. This event has fostered phenomenal collaboration among our conservatories, and we look forward to its growth. Our students are not just learning; they are thriving, pushing boundaries, and making significant contributions to the arts community.”
“We are extremely impressed with the students at Orange County School of the Arts. Their ambition and dedication are truly inspiring,” said Bente. “Visiting the campus, meeting Morgan, Willie, and the rest of the students, and seeing ‘OCSA Unleashed’ firsthand was a privilege. It’s an honor for Riedel to support these future industry leaders with world-class equipment. Their ability to adapt our technology to both planned events and unforeseen circumstances highlights their ingenuity and resilience. We are proud to be part of their journey and look forward to continuing our support for arts and education. This collaboration has not only enriched the students’ educational experience but also laid a solid foundation for their future careers in the arts industry.”
Further information about Riedel and the company’s products is available at www.riedel.net.
