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Aidee Walker talks about performing the latest version of And Then You Die, and her ongoing collaboration with playwright Tom Sainsbury.

"We keep collaborating because we make each other laugh so much. I think also we both are interested in seeing the underdog being portrayed."

And Then You Die is one part of 'The Triumphants', two solo plays directed by Abigail Greenwood.

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During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?

After 9pm and first thing (after a coffee) which aren’t always the most practical times.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?

Like a big earthy, indie hearty soup.

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?

Making people giggle.

How does your environment affect your work?

I do like big open spaces. The ocean and I get along well. I have a busy mind so this is good for me.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?

Both. I want to be a bigger picture kind of gal, but I do tend to focus on the nitty gritty and often get caught up in it. Work in progress this one.

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?

I don’t have one. Do you? I am looking for it though.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?

I am in the post production phase of my second short film. I have got in to writing and directing and I’d have to say that is pretty satisfying and incredibly fulfilling.

Who or what has inspired you recently?

The Traces of Nut team who made a feature film called How to Meet Girls from a Distance for $100,000 for the Make My Movie project. They have done the whole thing in under 6 months with hardly any funds and lots of pressure. I salute them. And Gandhi. I’m not joking. Just saw the Ben Kingsley movie this year. That man was amazing. Oh and one more- Lena Durham who wrote, produced, acted and directed the new HBO series GIRLS.

Tell us a bit about your background.

Born and breed in the Mighty Waikato. Major tomboy until about 14. Played pretty competitive hockey until last year of high school. Sports crazy kid who played in bands all through high school with the odd musical thrown in there. Weird mix. Would train for cross country at lunch times and then go and hang out with my friends who were smoking in a out of bounds area. Ended up auditioning for drama school In Auckland after high school and moved up here over ten years ago.

Tell us a bit about And Then You Die.

This play has had quite a life! Thomas Sainsbury wrote it in 2006 for a one act play competition and I played Debbie but it was a three hander. It then became a three act play and I performed it with different casts in Auckland, San Diego (where I was randomly studying for a year exchange) and later London (where I was living with Sainsbury). He then made it in to a one woman show which we did in Edinburgh, but he has completely rewritten and restructured it for this season....Debbie has changed a lot also. And it is 22 new pages of lines to learn. Eeeeeeek. I think the next stage is a film version!

How did you first start collaborating with Thomas Sainsbury, what keeps you collaborating?

We first collaborated on ...And Then You Die when it was in the Smack bang one-act play competition. We keep collaborating because we make each other laugh so much. I think also we both are interested in seeing the underdog being portrayed. He was the one that encouraged me to start writing myself actually and that has been a lot of fun.

What are some of your other recent and upcoming projects?

I was part of the MAKE MY MOVIE PROJECT- How to Meet Girls From a Distance, which premieres in Auckland at the NZIFF this Sunday 5th August. Hoping for a general release later in the year. I had a guest role on Sunny Skies TV 3’s new comedy and I am training and organising Ride out of the Blue, A charity Bike Ride from Bluff to Cape Reinga- 21 days of cycling to raise awareness and funds for the Mental Health Foundation.

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?

An astronaut- but this was never a reality as I learnt from a young age that I couldn’t be one with asthma. Gutted. Or maybe more realistically I do wish I directed ‘intrepid journey’ type documentaries around the world. The really active ones.

What place is always with you, wherever you go?

Bethells. The dunes, the beach, the bush.

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?

LIVE.

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?

I’m the most uncrafty person I know but I would ATTEMPT to make my baby nephew a mobile of some sort...

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?

Do a headstand between two chairs. Seriously- try it. I tried to stress out and it was IMPOSSIBLE.

What’s your big idea for 2013?

Write a feature film script and travel.