The lights dimmed, the audience wildly applauded and the curtains closed on over 80 performers, all singing “We are the world” by Michael Jackson in unison. Heritage Night, which took place on March 15, was the last time many senior performers would take the stage.
Heritage Night featured 22 acts: some were solo numbers and some group dances, but most were cultural performances.
“I liked that I was Heritages Night’s host. I have been to Heritage Night for three years, never would I [have] imagined that I would be on stage,” senior Leo Leksang said. He was the Master of Ceremonies (emcee) for Heritage Night. “I would totally do it again if I was not a senior this year.”
The event wasn’t solely enjoyable for the seniors; the audience and other performers had fun as well.
“There was a lot of active dancing that was going at a high level,” senior Tae Kim said. “I could feel the energy as I was sitting in my seat.”
Despite the staggering amount of success the event had, internal issues with the tech had to be resolved in order for the show to run smoothly.
“Tech had a problem in trying to communicate with one another from the front and behind the stage. Their orders would either be clear, but we couldn’t carry them out, or their orders would be confusing,” Leksang said.
Technology issues were only some of the challenges many of the performers overcame. Summoning courage was a challenge for many. “I was nervous before, but when I got on, it was like the eye of the storm,” senior Joshua Kim said. “And I was so grateful the audience was quiet during the performance.” Kim performed “Ukulele Medley.”
Performers drew support from each other in between their performances and before their own in the green room. “When we were in the green room, we were all on the verge of hysteria,
but we chose to laugh instead of cry,” sophomore Rani Bhangu said. “Whenever someone performed we’d hug them. We were all so happy, but so nervous.”
Students who recently arrived in the U.S. were generally more nervous about their performances. According to sponsor Georgianna Tomisato, Rayan Chaudahry (who performed Crazy 4) came to the U.S. in October, and performed a high energy dance.
“It gives him a lot of self-confidence to do that kind of thing,” Tomisato said.
Not only were there new arrivals to the country in the program, children performed in a group called “Fraternidad Ruphay.” The theme of Heritage Night, as said by the MCs, was “We are the world, We are the children,” so having children performers involved was a must.
The ending number of the event, which included the performers singing “We are the World,” led by junior Dili Aklilu, featured the whole cast standing on risers, with a few children in front, demonstrating the theme.
“When the final number started, and everybody was on stage, I was so amazed. Because that was really really difficult to do,” Tomisato said. “In less than two minutes, they got out the risers, and got everyone on it, and it was great.”
Tomisato and a few of the singers came up with the idea for the ending number after Aklilu’s audition to sing “We are the world,” calling it a ‘collaborative effort.’
“Actually seeing it in your mind, and then seeing it happen is amazing,” Tomisato said.
