The Fil-Aus community has many talented people in various areas of endeavours and professions. One such area where they shine is entertainment, and in particular being in musical stage plays. It is always a great pleasure and pride that we present to the community artists we get to know about.

The Australian Filipina is glad to feature a talented artist who has been highlighted in social media. Fiorella Bamba is inviting everyone to watch and support her in Chicago the Musical with Blackout Theatre Company showing at the Pioneer Theatre, Castle Hill on May 13-22, 2022.  Many of us may not have been aware of the twenty-six-year-old artist but we are proud to learn that this is her third show with BTC.

She said: I am proud to represent the Filipino Community whilst portraying the lead role of Velma Kelly and sharing my talent and knowledge with the audience.

We are proud of Fiorella for landing such a big role. Chicago the Musical is the winner of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy, and a film that won six Oscars. Chicago takes us back to the 1920s and an era of sass, seduction and sin. The show follows Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, who were both imprisoned for murder, as they vie for the attention of sleazy lawyer Billy Flynn and their adoring public, each hoping to become Chicago’s hottest celebrity when, not if, they get out of prison.

We are also thrilled to share Fiorella’s responses to a few questions to gain an insight into her persona and outlook on life.


* What achievements do you hold fondly in your heart?

One of my achievements is finishing College while undergoing dance training 4-5 times a week for 4 years! It was very tiring but well worth it. Through this, I have achieved opportunities to perform on various stages in Sydney and every experience is an achievement.

* On the flip side, what challenges have you faced and overcome?

It was very challenging making the decision to move to Sydney, Australia after 12 years living in the Philippines. I had established great friends, and connections and had all my family through my adolescent years but had to leave everything behind for an Aussie life.

 I am very grateful for where I am now but still experience homesickness from time to time.

*If there is anything you could change in what you did or experienced in the past, what would they be?

As cliche as it sounds, I wouldn't want to change anything in the past. I love living in the moment and believe I wouldn't be myself if it weren't for the past obstacles and experiences in the past.

* What else do you wish to achieve in your stage music journey?  in life?

I would love to be given the opportunity to play bigger and more challenging roles where I can develop my performance practice and apply my years of experience to theatre stages. 

* What advice can you give, especially to young people, who may have passions but are hesitating to pursue them?

You hear it all the time, don't stop chasing your dreams. The right time will arrive and you will know it's right because you will feel unstoppable! Work hard, smart and fast.

The world is constantly evolving and if you see even the tiniest of opportunities, grab it.

*How do you define success?

Success to me is finding clarity, defining the purpose and experiencing a little spark of joy.

(Fiorella will also be interviewed in Radio Tagumpay, Triple H 100.1FM, which airs on Mondays 2-4pm and can be streamed globally.  Date to be confirmed, so watch this space.)

ABOUT FIORELLA BAMBA

Fiorella is a Filipino/Australian dancer, singer and actress born in Milan, Italy. She is an only child of her parents who hail from Pampanga and Laguna but she grew up in Quezon City, Greater Manila area. She started dancing at three years old with Glenda Yee School of Dance then travelled to the Philippines to train in jazz and contemporary with Douglas Nierras Powerdance, being the youngest professional company dancer at the age of 10.

She graduated from the University of the Philippines, Diliman with a Bachelor's Degree in BA Speech Communication whilst training, touring and choreographing for the UP Filipiniana Dance Group.

She migrated to Australia with both parents from 1997 to 2005. Then moved to the Philippines with her father in 2006 to 2017.  She returned to Australia by herself to live with her mother in 2017.

Now based in Parramatta in western Sydney, Fiorella is continuing her love for performing through Musical Theatre and is debuting her first lead role in Chicago as Velma Kelly with Blackout Theatre Company (BTC). Other musical credits include; Singing in the Rain and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical as Shirelle (BTC), Mamma Mia! as Ali & Lisa Understudy with Packemin Productions and Choreographer for High School Musical on Stage with Ruby Productions. Fiorella was cast as Oz in We Will Rock You with BTC and Chistery/Shenshen in Wicked with Packemin Productions which unfortunately did not make it to the stage due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fiorella is thrilled to be portraying the role of Velma Kelly bringing to the stage her pizzazz and All That Jazz. 

The Australian Filipina congratulates Fiorella and wish her the best in all her endeavours.  We hope to see as many to support her in the upcoming stage musical Chicago. Please visit the Blackout Theatre Company website for more information.

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