Behind Backstage Bistro
Mahayla Whitfield singing “First Love.”
February 17, 2023
As the lights dimmed low in the Millikan auditorium, I eagerly sat mere feet outside of the spotlight that beamed down on the performers. A black curtain, spotted with lights shining like stars, enveloped us. I looked down at my feet which were planted on the stage, then up towards a classy sign with the words “Backstage Bistro” surrounded by dazzling light bulbs.
Millikan’s vocal music program just hosted their annual two-night performance called Backstage Bistro this past Feb. 1 and 2. For five dollars, fellow students and families could sit on the Millikan stage in the auditorium with our amazing student choir performers while they sang on a smaller stage in front of the audience.
“It’s so fun and exhilarating to get to perform in front of the people I love,” said QUEST senior and performer Emma Morgan, “It’s such a cool thing to see voices shine.”
To have performed in the show, a student must either be a part of one of Millikan’s choirs, or be recruited to sing with them by a member. Then, they had to audition in front of Mr. York, the teacher of all vocal music at Millikan.
These students could sing any song they want for the show “as long as it’s moderately appropriate,” said York, “The only thing I say no to is video game music because… it will be impossible to read the music.”
Once performers got their song approved, it was completely up to them to rehearse it, meaning they received little to no guidance from anyone.
Each show had two different sets of around twenty five performers and lasted two hours each. Two different student-led bands; Cornerstore and Policy of Truth, closed each night, respectively. There was a wide variety of songs such as “Valerie,” “Before He Cheats,” and “Tiny Dancer.”
Cole Ritter, COMPASS sophomore and performer enjoyed Backstage Bistro because of “the creativity in each song. Each number is different from the last.”
All in all, this was a wonderful opportunity for students to show off their hard work and for the audience to experience a show more intimate and immersive than ever before.
Natalie Heilig • Mar 2, 2023 at 10:51 am
On February 17, Shane Texeira wrote an article titled “Behind Backstage Bistro.” In the article, he discussed how Backstage Bistro, a show beloved by choir students and their families, is put together and what one can expect from attending the show. As a student in Millikan choir and a performer on the show’s first night, I was very excited to see what an outside observer thought about the show. I loved the specific details of what one sees and their anticipation before entering the auditorium. The description of the set and the observer’s surroundings was very accurate. I also enjoyed the shout-out to the bands featured on both nights of the show, highlighting their talent and giving them a little shameless plug. Additionally, it was really fun to see the comments of some of the performers who I know personally, along with what they each loved about this experience as individuals. Those perspectives, along with the variety in genres of music featured in the show as stated by Texeira, really highlighted the diversity and uniqueness of this intimate gathering. He also featured a quick description of how the show gets put together, an effective and simple way to understand a show many know so little about. On a more personal note, it was super awesome to see the song that I sang at Bistro featured in the article. Overall, Texeira did an incredible job describing what makes Backstage Bistro one of the best and most favorite shows among both choir students and the greater Millikan community.
Marisol Covarrubias • Feb 28, 2023 at 1:26 pm
This article talks about how Millikan’s vocal music program had hosted their annual two night performances called Backstage Bistro. I like how in the beginning of the article you explained how you felt being there waiting for the performers. It really gives me a sense of how it may have been there. It was enjoyable to read how some performers felt about it and how excited they were about it. I like how you included songs that were sung because I like some of those songs I know. I didn’t know it lasted two hours. I thought it was a lot shorter. This is an amazing thing they do, i’m glad you talked about it because Backstage Bistro is when people get to show off their amazing talent they have. I really enjoyed that you got to speak to Mr. York and got his insight on it. It is crazy how once the performer gets approved they have to practice by themselves with no help, so they have to figure out their notes themselves with very little to no help.
Kaitlyn • Feb 28, 2023 at 11:14 am
On February 17, Shane Texeira wrote an article titled “Behind Backstage Bistro”. This article describes the event at Millikan on the first and second day of February, in which several Millikan choir students (and student-led bands at Millikan) are given the opportunity to perform in the auditorium, while others pay five dollars to watch – otherwise known as the Backstage Bistro. It truly is a fun and entertaining event, and I appreciate the fact that it offers the opportunity and encourages students to go on stage and maybe even step out of their comfort zone to perform in front of a crowd in a way that they may not be able to do otherwise. The Backstage Bistro does a great job at showcasing one of the many talents at Millikan, and demonstrates how amazing and skilled the performing art students are. Not only that, but it allows student led-bands, such as Cornerstore, to display their skill and show what they have to offer. It even offers insight as to how it may feel to perform professionally! All in all, the Backstage Bistro is greatly appreciated, and I would love for there to be even more opportunities for the performing arts to shine, and highlight how amazing the students are.