Joanna Ampil is an awarded musical theatre actress from the Philippines. She's one of the more than a dozen Filipinas who have played Kim in the hit musical, Miss Saigon. Without having any previous acting experience, Joanna flew in to London at the age of 17. Since then, she has been touring around the world to perform for different musical plays including Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Miserables and Rent.  Her first self-titled album was recorded in Abbey Road Studios in London. In 2010, she produced her second album, Try Love, in the Philippines.

 

In 2011, she played the role of Maria in The Sound of Music staged at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila. Her most recent theatre appearance was for Cats, where she palyed the role of Grizabella.

Theatre: 

• Grizabella in Cats (UK/European Tour)

• Maria Von Trapp in The Sound of Music (Resorts World Manila NPAT); 

• Thanh in the World Premiere of The Real Love (Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Los Angeles); 

• Blue Fairy in Pinocchio: A New Musical (DBS-SRT, Singapore); 

• Christmas Eve in Avenue Q(Noel Coward and Gielgud Theatres, London);

• Maria in West Side Story (MeralcoTheatre, Manila); 

• Mimi in Rent (European Tour); 

• Heidi in I Sing! (Union Theatre,London);

• The ingénue June in Musical of Musicals (Sound Theatre, London); 

• Sheila Franklin in Hair (The Gate Theatre, London); 

• Eponine and Fantine in Les Miserables(Palace and Queen’s Theatres, London);

• Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar (‘96revival, Lyceum Theatre, London);

• Kim in Miss Saigon (Theatre Royal Drury Lane,London, original Sydney production, First UK and Southern Ireland Tour).

Television, Film, Radio and Concerts: 
 

• Most recently, Joanna participated as one of thelead soloists in Magic of Disney – A Celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee (Hyde Park, London); 

• Lead soloist in Night of 1000 Voices 2012 (Royal Albert Hall, London);

• Also took part in a TV musical celebration in Los Angeles called The Real Love (PasadenaCivic, Los Angeles) where she played the lead role of Thanh opposite Adam Pascal whoplayed Rolf.

Numerous guestings, documentaries and appearances globally including:
 

• Night of 100 Stars (Palladium, London); 

• Stars of The Musicals (Stadium Putra,Kuala Lumpur); 

• Musical Moments (Hong Kong); Represented her country in The

• Philippine-Vietnam Friendship Concert (Hanoi Opera House and Ho Chi Minh City);

• Michelle Wong in Broken News (BBC TV);

• Entente Cordial-Les Miserables’ Special

• Performance for the Royal Family including Her Majesty the Queen, President Jacques

• Chirac and Prime Minister Tony Blair at the Windsor Castle; 

• ‘Joanna Ampil-I love…’solo concert (Music Museum, Manila 2009); 

• ‘Joanna Ampil-West End girl’ solo concert featuring the FILharmoniKA orchestra (Onstage Theatre, Manila 2010). 

Also took part in the feature film ‘One Day’ directed by Lone Scherfig.

Recordings: 
 

• Kim in Miss Saigon’s Complete International Symphonic Recording;

• Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar’s 1996 revival; 

• appeared on recordings of other international artists;

• ‘Reach for the Stars’ CD single;

• ‘Joanna Ampil’ a self-titled solo album under JAY records; released an album under Sony Music Philippines called ‘Try Love’

• recently recorded the role of Beatriz in the concept album of a new musical entitled ‘The Postman and the Poet’

Others:
 

• Constance in The Three Musketeers-workshop; 

• Edie in On The Waterfront-workshop; Was once a member of a gospel R and B group United Colours of Sound featured in ‘The Quest’ (BBC Documentary); 

• Nominated for an Australian MO award for Best Actress (Miss Saigon); 

• Nominated for Manila’s Aliw Award for Best Actress (West Side Story) and for Best Live Performance in a Concert (I Love…); 

• Given an Aliw Award for her contribution to live entertainment internationally; 

• Also a Global Filipino awardee. 

 

Source: Viva.com.ph; www.joanna-ampil.com