Derya Dandanell is a Copenhagen-based actor with roots in Turkey and life experiences spanning Denmark, Singapore, and beyond. Her multicultural background gives her a broad emotional palette and a deep, intuitive understanding of character and story.

 

Derya was enrolled in the two-year acting program at Panorama Academy from 2023-2025, where she continuously developed her craft in both stage and screen performance. She has trained intensively in the Chubbuck technique, stage combat, Commedia dell’Arte, and performance of emotionally complex scenes. Derya was selected to perform on stage by the esteemed American acting coach Ivana Chubbuck — a highlight that reflects her dedication and talent.

 

Fluent in multiple languages and shaped by diverse cultural experiences, Derya is a versatile performer with a strong presence and deep emotional range. She is passionate about telling stories that transcend borders and connect people.

 

Before fully committing to acting, Derya built a successful academic and professional career in international management, business development, and innovation. This background has given her strong work ethics, resilience, and a collaborative spirit, which she brings to every creative project. Acting, once a parallel passion, has now become her full-time pursuit — fueled by a lifelong love of storytelling, cinema, and theater.

 

Outside of acting, Derya works as a baby swim instructor and lifeguard — roles that reflect her care for others and her ability to connect through movement and presence. She is also a mother to a young toddler, who inspires her daily and deepens her emotional insight.

 

Her life has often balanced extremes – one day immersed in a traditional village, the next flying to Chicago for business. These contrasts have given her a unique adaptability, emotional intelligence and a profound awareness of human nature — all of which she brings to her work as an actor.