Mark Colbert is known around campus as “the tech guy” or “the guy in the booth.” Some students refer to him as “Lord Mark,” humorously acknowledging his legitimate title based on land ownership in Scotland. In 2024, a student purchased the deed to a small plot of land in Mark’s name, making him “Lord Mark Colbert.”. However, he isn’t just the guy in the booth. He is at every event on campus that requires a microphone, a speaker system, or a slideshow. He defined production as any gathering that requires sound technology and lights, and a production could be the spring musical or Grandparents Day or the High School Honors Convocation. Colbert has served as the audio engineer for LRCA’s spring musical for three years running. But above all of this, Mark Colbert is a Christ follower, a disciple, and a servant.
During his time at Little Rock Christian, Colbert has seen countless students come through the building, and he has said he has seen God working in and through them. He can recall students he met when he first started that have changed noticeably over the past two years. And he believes he has a responsibility to set an example for those students. “My number one job is to be Christlike,” Colbert said. “My number two job is to be a technician.” Colbert understands the call to make disciples and to be an imitator of Christ that’s laid out in Ephesians 5: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” He has said that Warrior Hall is his mission field, and that he loves to see students on fire for the Lord. He said that has been his favorite part about his job and his role in the Arts at Little Rock Christian.
One exciting development in Warrior Hall this year has been the addition of a new sound system, thanks to Warrior Blitz and Friends of the Arts donations. “With the addition of the new sound system, it’s a night and day difference (from the previous sound system),” Colbert said. He explained that with this sound system, he is able to do less problem solving and more mixing from a creative standpoint. During the most recent musical, Colbert was able to mix sound for 24 head-worn microphones for actors, 15 orchestra headsets and amps, onstage speakers and house speakers. This system allowed for even sound distribution and less mishaps with feedback and interference. “The overall response I got from audience attendees,” Colbert said, was “‘Wow, everything sounds so big, full, and clear,’” and that’s the overall goal of music theater.” The new sound system was great for the musical, but it has also helped everyday activities run more smoothly.
Chapel has been greatly impacted by the new sound system, and Colbert said he is excited about what’s next for school chapel services. His hope is that students would be more involved in the technical side of chapel, and that it can become almost entirely student-led. “You see a student on the camera, a student switching, a student running slides.” His other hope for chapel services in Warrior Hall is that they would be a place where everyone can be truly immersed in worship. He explained that when the technology is working properly, it goes unnoticed and removes distractions. “The goal of any production person in houses of worship is to remove distractions,” Colbert said. His hope is that with fully functioning technology, the chapel experience can be enhanced and the students and teachers can be fully engaged.
“To be successful in production work, I believe the first thing you need to be is a kind person,” Colbert said. “You need to be workable, agreeable, and be able to take criticisms.” This is something he said learned early on and has stuck with him over the course of his career. These traits are valuable in other areas of life as well. Being easy to work with, agreeable, and able to take criticism could set anyone up for success in the classroom, in the office and in other areas of life. Mark Colbert has shown that to be true during his time at Little Rock Christian.
