Who is Amy Manford?
I am an Australian/American soprano most known for my performance as Christine Daaé in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. I am also one half of MM Creative Productions, a Perth based boutique production company founded in 2020.
My colleague and friend, Genevieve McCarthy and I are very lucky to have secured the rights to Disney in Concert: A Dream is a Wish, that will premiere in Australia for the first time this October at Perth’s Riverside Theatre!
What would you do differently from what you do now?
In terms of my career, I am pretty content with where life has lead me. If I were to change something in my day to day life, I would like to lower my screen time and start practicing meditation.
Who inspires you and why?
There are so many people in my life that inspire me, but if I had to pick one person right now, I would say my amazing friend Grace Forrest. When we were in high school she founded Walk Free, an international human rights group focused on the eradication of modern slavery in our lifetime. She is now travelling the world as one of our leading anti slavery abolitionists and is also responsible for publishing the global slavery index. She is an absolute boss!
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I would implore everyone not to use social media as a news source and to do your research before spreading false information – it is becoming very dangerous! Also, just be a nice person 🙂
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Anywhere with sun and good food! But I would love to go on a safari in Botswana and visit Egypt one day – good things are worth waiting for!
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I would take them down south to visit Yallingup Beach, then I would take them to Jean Claude Patisserie in Subiaco to get a jam donut – I’m obsessed!
What are you currently reading?
I’m not going to lie… I really struggle finishing books. I have a pile next to my bed that just keeps getting rotated!
What are you currently listening to?
I am currently listening to a lot of Disney!
Happiness is?
Watching a movie with my cat haha!
What does the future hold for you?
If you had asked me a week ago, I would have said I would be in Sydney rehearsing for the upcoming Australian production of The Phantom of the Opera at the Sydney Opera House! Unfortunately it was cancelled last minute due to the current COVID-19 situation in NSW. I also just received news today that another one of my big contracts with Opera Australia won’t be able to go ahead next year.
It is a really hard time for artists worldwide right now! I’m thankful to have an amazing, supportive network that have encouraged me to stay positive and create opportunities for myself. I hope we will be out of this mess soon and artists around the world will be able to return to doing what they love. Until then, you will find me on stage this October at the Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre performing with WASO in Disney in Concert.
Amy will co-produce and perform in Disney in Concert: A Dream is a Wish at the Riverside Theatre – Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre: 29 – 30 October 2021. For more information, visit: www.mmcreativeproductions.com for details.
Image: Amy Manford (supplied)