If you’ve ever been to a Keynote, Worship Service, or recreation event at Montreat during the summer, you probably haven’t focused much on the technical things going on around you. But behind every song lyric, microphone, and carefully timed light, there’s a team working behind the scenes to make it all happen: the AV Crew (audio-visual crew). I shadowed Dibby, one of the AV crew members, for three days as she showed me everything that goes into being a member of the AV crew.
The team is made up of five crew members, two supervisors, and two DPTs (data projection technicians) who are all overseen by Heather Scott, a year-round production associate who works for Montreat Conference Center. Together, they handle all of the slides, sound, lighting, and recording that happens in Anderson Auditorium. Whether it’s a moving worship service or a chaotic variety show, the AV team wants everything to feel effortless and smooth for the people in the pews and on the stage.
From the booth, a room in the top corner of the auditorium full of AV equipment, worship and keynote took on a whole new perspective. While I sat up there with a headset pressed against my ears, I listened to crew members call cues as I watched the sound board slides move up and the lights fade down. I heard the sound of hundreds of voices singing mixed with the quiet clicking of the DPT advancing to the next slide. All around the booth I saw reminders of past crews; the walls are covered in signatures, doodles, and inside jokes.
Spending time with the crew felt like hanging out with a big group of friends. They spend so much time together in the auditorium that it naturally spills over into life outside of work. When they’re not running cables or in sound check, you can find them hanging out and laughing together in the pews or at a “conference land” Cookout run. They support each other through long shifts and late nights. Their bond is what keeps this crew running smoothly. They work hard, but they also know how to have fun, and that balance is part of what makes the AV team so special.
Even with all the fun, this job doesn’t come without challenges. Working AV at Montreat is a high-stakes job. When you are running sound, lights, and visuals for an auditorium filled with hundreds of people, mistakes are not easily missed. If a microphone isn’t turned on in time or the slides don’t match the words being sung, the whole room notices. The crew has to stay sharp. Each day before a keynote or worship service they run through sound checks, test videos, and ensure everything is ready for the day. It’s a pressure-filled environment that requires focus, adaptability, and teamwork.
The team mentioned that one of their favorite parts of the work they do is getting to interact with so many people. From keynote speakers to recreation leaders, the AV team helps a variety of people feel comfortable and prepared to lead on stage. They aren’t just running tech; they are also helping people tell stories, share messages, and create experiences that stick with conferees long after the week is over.
Spending time with the AV crew made me realize just how much hard work goes into every moment that happens on the Anderson stage. With a mixture of technical skills and love of their job, they shape the atmosphere of each event. The crew’s attention to detail and dedication are a vital part of what makes the Montreat experience feel so special.
Kayden Foyles is the marketing assistant at Montreat Conference Center as part of Summer Staff. She is a rising senior at North Carolina State University studying Communication Media.