"I bear a charmed life."
This quote from Shakespeare's famous play Macbeth is one Estella Van Der Lee feels she can relate to after being selected to attend the National Shakespeare Schools Production later this month.
Estella says she was shocked and excited to win the individual performance section of the 25th annual regional Shakespeare Globe Centre Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival in Stratford earlier this year. But now with the trip only a week away, Estella's nerves are setting in.
Estella will be travelling to Dunedin to take part in a performance of the Shakespearean tragedy with some of the country's young rising stars.
We spend the week working with professional directors before taking part in three public performances. I am nervous but really excited about what I can learn.