The name Chang Hsiao-yen is a household word to millions of TV viewers in Taiwan. Chang's acting career began when she was six, but her ability as an actress was confirmed only during the past two years when she won TV's highest honor--the Golden Bell Award--one for best hostess of TV variety and game shows and the other for best actress. In the public eye for most of her life, Chang's small stature and cute appearance have earned her the nick name of "the kid".

As the hostess of a popular TV, variety show on prime time Sunday evenings, Chang greets the audience with a polite bow and then proceeds to win their hearts with her congeniality, personality, wit, and sincerity.

She points out, however: "The audience only sees one side of it all--the glitter. Being on stage is only a small part of acting. Most interesting, from a professional standpoint, is what goes on behind the stage. Regardless of your emotional or physical state, or even if you've not yet memorized your script, the show must go on." Armed with this philosophy, Chang never complains about job demands or lets her audience down.

Chang describes herself as a "planted early, but late-blooming" actress. Her life between the ages of 6 and 12 was directionless and distorted. She won many awards, but was too young to realize what was happening or acting's relationship to reality. "The period between 13 and 18 was awkward for me. I was very fat, had pimples--and tons of schoolwork. This was my 'blank period' when I left the entertainment field." She took up acting again after she graduated from high school. But this time, acting had to play a supporting role to the new interest in her life--boys. Chang recalls: "Since I was regarded as cute and was originally a child-actress, I was still a child in my mother's eyes. Having boys around made her nervous. But she was happy when I got full-time work at a TV station--with set hours and at a place she knew she could reach me."

Chang started to host children's and game shows and weekly variety shows 10 years ago. Recently, she switched stations. Surprised friends and colleagues questioned the wisdom of the move, emphasizing the risk of giving up everything she had achieved. Chang, however regarded the switch as an opportunity to test herself in a different environment and under new management. She had excellent growth potential and a wide audience of friends who would never desert her, she felt. Chang's success continued after the move.

All of Chang's spare time is spent preparing for programs, scouting for new talent and arranging her own props. That the program runs smoothly from start to finish is due to her personal touch.

Chang never uses a prepared script. "It's a barrier to effective communication and performance--it's not smooth." Through this practice, Chang's mental alertness is strengthened (she's a 'speed' talker and usually one step ahead of everyone else), and her program is more spontaneous, colorful, and interesting. "You must know your audience and what people want to see and hear. This is the hallmark of a good entertainer."

Many new performers and acts have been introduced on Chang's variety shows. The world famous Paris Ballet Co. made its first appearance in Taiwan on her show. Last year was the "year of the handicapped", and Chang's guests included deaf children who used sign language to "sing" a song.

Out-and-out slapstick does not go over well with Chinese audiences. There are some skits, but all have an element of seriousness or "controlled humor". "Most important," emphasizes Chang, "one must remember that acting is an art. One may not debase art."

Because acting is an art, Chang also feels that it is not something everyone can do. "No matter what you do, you must believe in the value of your work. Only then will you win others' respect. So people who view TV work only as a springboard to something more 'interesting' neither will be good TV actors nor will their standards improve. Their heart will simply not be in their work," she said.

There can be no doubt that Chang Hsiao-yen has a gift for acting and for making people happy. To adults who regularly watch her variety show, she is an outstanding entertainer, and to children who dream of some day meeting her, she is their big sister.

[Picture Caption]

1. Chang Hsiao-yen. 2. Chang introducing one of the stars on her TV program. 3. Chang won an award for best child actress at the age of six.

Top: Chang discusses a problem in the script with a fellow actor. Center: On stage, Chang hosting a TV program. Bottom: Chang is regarded as an outstanding actress.

Chang's most cherished 'role': Loving mother of a young daughter.

Chang introducing one of the stars on her TV program.

Chang won an award for best child actress at the age of six.

Chang discusses a problem in the script with a fellow actor. Center: On stage, Chang hosting a TV program.

Chang is regarded as an outstanding actress.

Chang is regarded as an outstanding actress.

Chang's most cherished 'role': Loving mother of a young daughter.