“In Singapore, We Just Go Home After Work”: Denise Camillia Tan on ‘Treasured Experiences’ with Local Actors During Taipei Acting Course

The intensive lessons during the day were challenging, but the vibrant night markets of Taipei provided a perfect backdrop for relaxation and unwinding. AsiaOne recently spoke with Malaysia-born actress Denise Camillia Tan about her eight-day acting course in Taipei, where she was joined by fellow Mediacorp actors Sheryl Ang, Zhang Zetong, Nick Teo, Ayden Sng, Chantalle Ng, Gini Chang, and He Yingying.

Throughout the course, they explored various aspects of acting, including voice work and body movement, and had the opportunity to learn from experienced actors and directors. However, Denise highlighted that the most memorable moments came not just from the lessons, but from the time spent bonding with her colleagues outside of class.

“Typically, Sheryl, Zetong, Nick, a scriptwriter, a director, and I would gather during lunch and after class to explore the night markets and restaurants,” she shared with AsiaOne. “In Singapore, we usually just head home after work, but in Taipei, we spent so much time together. I truly treasure this experience; it was a wonderful way to deepen our connections.”

Their culinary adventures included sampling iconic Taiwanese street food at renowned night markets like Shilin and Raohe. On their first night, they ventured to Ximending, indulging in braised pork rice, mee sua, fried potato balls, bubble tea, and oyster omelettes. Denise’s favorite, surprisingly modest in comparison, was cha ye dan (tea egg), which she enjoyed every night without fail.

“I loved it so much that my friends would tease me, asking, ‘Are you going to buy your tea egg again?'” she laughed.

However, the journey wasn’t without its challenges. During one lesson, participants were tasked with selecting a character from a story and creating a five- to eight-minute monologue within a tight timeframe. Denise admitted that the pressure of crafting her own script was daunting.

“I felt a bit panicked since it was new territory for me. I was used to having a script handed to me, and now I had to come up with one from scratch. It was quite tough,” she recalled. “We weren’t allowed to use our phones during class, so I couldn’t look up ideas and had to rely entirely on my imagination and instincts.”

Despite her initial nerves during the presentation, Denise was relieved to complete the assignment successfully. She particularly enjoyed the lesson focused on vocal techniques, where she learned how to modulate her voice based on body projection and emotional context.

“In voice acting, I discovered that our voices can change depending on where they come from and our energy levels, whether we’re portraying an elderly character or someone from a period drama,” she explained. “I appreciated the freedom to explore these techniques without any judgment.”