Cirque du Soleil’s Amaluna

Currently on tour is one of the most thrilling Cirque du Soleil shows – Amaluna. What makes this different from many of the other Cirque du Soleil shows, is that this is one is female intensive. Almost 70% of the cast is female and the live band is all female.

The story is set on a mysterious island ruled by goddesses. It’s a coming of age story about a daughter being honored for her femininity. When a group of men arrive on the island, an epic love story is told.

I sat down and interviewed one of the circus artists, Amara Defilippo. She performs on the uneven bars and is a back-up artist for aerial straps and the role of Peacock Goddess.

Growing up in Torrance, California, Amara started gymnastic at the age of nine. She saw her first Cirque du Soleil show at the age of 10 and told her mother that she wanted to be in the show when she grew up. She decided that was her dream job.

After graduating from high school, she earned a full gymnastic scholarship to the University of Arkansas. After four years, she graduated with a degree in Kinesiology, yet continued to dream about performing in Cirque du Soleil.

When she was senior in college, she sent a demo tape to the casting department at Cirque du Soleil with all the criteria –  flexibility, strength, skill and past completion footage.  After a few months from graduating from the University, she received a call to join a workshop for a future uneven bar act. She was offered the role of an Amazon for Amaluna during its creation in 2011.

Amara has performed in the show for over seven years now. She has traveled to 19 countries and 43 different cities.

On April 25 Amara will be performing in Amaluna at the LA Waterfront, just miles from where she grew up and dreamed of being a performer in Cirque du Soleil. She is excited to have her family and friends in the audience.

While the show is in Southern California, she will live at home and spend as much time as possible with her loved ones. Especially on Monday’s when she has that day off.

Dressed in red and black for her role as Amazon in Amaluna, she showed me how the costume has a corset and padding on her hips for when she is performing on the uneven bars.

Before leaving I asked what advice she has for young girls who have dreams, like she did when she was a girl. “Be you, be unique, go for it and don’t be afraid,” said Amara.

To get tickets to see Amara under the Big Top, click on Amaluna.