By: Andrew Jackson

How a Taiwan-born performer blends cultures, embraces collaboration, and builds a career on connection.

On a recent evening in New York City, the lights dimmed in a packed cabaret room. As Apple stepped into the spotlight, the energy shifted. With a voice that carried warmth and strength, and a presence that filled the intimate space, she transformed a night of 80s pop into something more: a shared celebration of music, story, and connection.

For Apple, moments like these are not just performances — they are the culmination of a journey that began thousands of miles away in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Roots in Kaohsiung

Apple’s love of performance began in childhood. While many children asked for toys on birthdays, she requested a microphone. With it, she sang, narrated storybooks aloud, and imagined herself under the spotlight. Later, a small recorder became her tool for capturing original songs. Dance soon followed, turning living rooms into rehearsal halls and movement into storytelling.

“My family is what keeps me moving, and my hometown is my foundation,” she reflects. “Whenever I create, I always return to the spirit of my hometown for inspiration.” Her culture and the soil that nourished her growing up will always be the inspiration when she creates.

Discovering Musicals

A defining moment arrived in high school when her music teacher introduced the class to Phantom of the Opera and Into the Woods. For Apple, it was transformative.

“Watching those musicals for the first time opened a door for me,” she recalls. That discovery sparked a dream: to study musicals in New York, where she could immerse herself in the form that had captured her imagination.

A Stage in New York

Years later, Apple realized that dream. From the Lower East Side Festival — where she performed for a sold-out 91-seat house — This meaningful art pisces “U.S” directed by Charly Wenzel received enthusiastic feedback from the audience that night. “That night was unforgettable,” Apple recalls. 

“To see every seat filled and feel that energy — it really reminds me to be in the moment and tell the story with my whole heart.” From solo nights at Don’t Tell Mama, one of New York’s well-regarded cabaret venues, she has steadily built a name as a performer whose work bridges cultures and resonates with audiences.

Photo Courtesy: Apple Tsai

Her artistry isn’t confined to the stage. Apple directs children’s productions, blending culture with creativity to help young performers find their voices. She directs shows at a Mandarin learning school on weekends. She also brings her presence to film, with a recent short project gaining attention online.

Artistic Philosophy

For Apple, theater is more than craft — it is a way of living. “I love how theater taught me to live in the moment.”

That philosophy defines her approach to performance and collaboration alike. Drawing on Taiwan’s applied theater traditions and combining them with the musical and camera techniques honed in New York, Apple has developed a style that is at once intimate and expansive, culturally nuanced yet universally resonant.

She thrives in collaboration, working with artists from diverse backgrounds to create something more than the sum of its parts. “When I work with people from different cultures, it pushes me to listen more deeply and expand how I tell stories,” she explains. “Every collaboration becomes a chance to learn, to stretch, and to create something we couldn’t have imagined alone.”

Looking Ahead

The next chapter of Apple’s journey is already unfolding. “I can’t wait to see whom I’m going to meet and work with,” she says. “Every project, every encounter has the potential to open a new door.” Next month, she will perform in a Halloween-themed musical — an opportunity she describes with pure excitement. It is another chance to experiment, embody new characters, and connect with audiences in innovative ways.

“Whether it’s a musical number, an applied theater workshop, or a film close-up, I want the work to resonate deeply.”

From Kaohsiung to New York, Apple’s story is one of resilience, artistry, and vision. Grounded in family, inspired by her roots, and committed to cultural exchange, she continues to shape a career defined not just by performance but by connection. And as the lights rise on her next act, one thing is certain: Apple is only beginning to show the full breadth of her potential. “Whether it’s a musical number, an applied theater workshop, or a film close-up, I want the work to resonate,” Apple says. “The Big Apple is full of stories, and I’m here to tell mine — and help others tell theirs.”