The Camden Opera House now has a full time technical director on staff. Dave Morrison began July 1 as assistant opera house manager, technical director, working alongside Kerry Hadley, opera house manager. Dave worked for 11 years as assistant director of facilities at the Hudson River Museum where he also ran a summer concert series and was responsible for a variety of public events. "This position was a long time coming, and in just a short time has demonstrated so many successes for our clients and the continuing development/upgrading of the Opera House facility. As events continue to require new technologies and services it is incumbent on us to provide these as efficiently and cost effectively as possible. Dave does this with great cheer and a customer service orientation that has pleased our clients who have worked with him" notes Kerry.

Improvements to date include an interim painting/restoration of the Washington Street/Route 1 corner space on the third floor of the Opera House. Dubbed the "Gentlemen;s Club" in honor of its history as a meeting place for Camden business owners, the space is 22 by 23 feet in size and now available for rent on its own or in concert with the larger Third floor Gallery space. Café tables and furniture were purchased last year for this space, making it a comfortable spot for intermission refreshments, break-out sessions or meetings. These improvements precede the much larger long-term renovations desired which include installing HVAC, expanded restrooms and catering facilities on the third floor.

New equipment purchased include high quality Shure cordless microphones, a Telex (Clearcom type) in-house communications system and a lavalier microphone and a new sound system!

New Opera House Committee members are Donald White and Raymond Bruynanszki. Don White is a retired Sales and Marketing executive who has lived in Camden since the early 90's. Don is an active volunteer with the Camden Public Library and also serves on the Gateway1 Camden TRP. Raymond Bruynanszki is from the Netherlands, and began his career as a contractor and consultant for some of the best hotels in the Far East. In the last two years before he moved to Camden he worked with his mother - a famous Dutch comedienne and performer. Last December Raymond and his partner moved to Camden and became the new owners of the Camden Harbour Inn and Natalies restaurant. #######################################################