“There was a star danced, and under that was I born.”

It’s Shakespeare’s birthday (probably, history says there’s a three-day window of possibility) and also the anniversary of the day he died. Such synergy.

I’m old fashioned and have yet to be convinced that anyone else wrote the plays that we have inherited in his name. Collaborations yes, a completely different author, totally unconvinced. Thinking about this makes me realise how privileged I’ve been in my theatre life to be able to explore so many of these great works and with so many great people. Such treasured memories.

Expanding out from that to the entirety of my performing arts journey and I realise (I already knew) that it’s populated throughout by extraordinary people, extraordinary lives and enriching experiences. Yes, not an easy way to make a living and certainly a rugged way to grow up, but every single second a jewel in my thorny crown.

When I deconstruct my 72+ years the commonalities are art and education, performing arts, martial arts (now there’s a cast of the very best around – who’s a lucky girl, then?) and learning, always learning. It’s such a joy to be an educator and to be able to explore the intersections of my learning and the learning of others. It’s a sublime pleasure.

None of this happens in isolation and whanau are the glue that holds it all together – or blows it apart when it needs a critical rebuild.

I’m incredibly privileged to have journeyed with the very best of mentors and teachers in all spheres of my life. Without them, nothing.

What have I learned? Not as much as I should have, but the most important lesson of all has been to stay tuned to the offers made by extraordinary – and sometimes ordinary – people and to pick them up. Doors open, and you find yourself doing things you never thought possible, things you’d not ever have thought of alone.

So that’s the message, my message to you, and a reminder to myself. When someone suggests you play ‘Hamlet’, don’t be too busy. When someone invites you to train at their dojo, don’t be too tired. When someone suggests you teach a new class, don’t be afraid. They wouldn’t be asking if they couldn’t see that special something in you that you can’t see yourself. As Sheryl Sandberg says, ‘sit at the table’ and ‘don’t leave before you leave’. I’d add, ‘be sensitive to the signs, and say yes’.

It’s Shakespeare’s probable birthday. Say yes. He did, and it worked out pretty well for him, and for us. Now that’s some incentive!