At Missouri Baptist University, one of the most treasured annual traditions is thePerk Event, an on-campus concert series that has been a highlight of student life for 28 years.
The event features live music, games, food and coffee.
While students gather each year to enjoy the performances, games and refreshments, a dedicated production team works for weeks behind the scenes to make the event possible.
In the weeks leading up to the event, Missouri Baptist’s on-campus production team, which works under the Office of the President, begins its preparations.
The team tests speakers, builds new cables, and organizes road cases filled with production gear.
According to event staff, preparation before load-in is crucial because it streamlines setup once the team arrives at the venue.
The next stage, known as load-in, involves transporting all production equipment from the university chapel to the event venue, including sound systems, lighting fixtures and other imperative equipment.
While crew members move cases by hand, rental deliveries arrive simultaneously.
Once everything is in place, the team begins setting up equipment, a process that can take more than 18 hours and requires a crew of eight to 10 people.
The step concludes with a sound and lighting check, allowing the crew to calibrate audio systems and give the performing bands a chance to rehearse in the space, while also giving the lighting designer an opportunity to program the lighting console.
This year’s show ran approximately 90 minutes and featured three bands, a skit, hosts, games and other entertainment.
The event drew an energetic and engaged crowd, with students filling the venue to enjoy the performances and fellowship.
Joshua Hunt, production manager at MBU, said, “The event is one of the highlights of the year because it allows students to come together and enjoy the results of weeks of hard work.”
When the event ends, the production crew immediately begins load-out.
All equipment must be disassembled, packed and returned to the chapel for future use.
Crew members often work late into the night, typically until 3 a.m. to 5 a.m., to complete the teardown.
In total, the team logs around 37 hours of work across two days.
Despite the long hours, organizers say the sense of community and tradition keeps them motivated year after year.
“As for thePerk [28],” said Terri Adams, director of special events, “we had great music, people were laughing, and, as always, the coffee was flowing.”
