One of the unintended consequences of directing and starring in a play about adolescence and its related anxieties, desires and rivalries is the memories it brings back.
And some are not good, especially as those involved begin to see elements of themselves in some of the less than positive aspects of the script.
''It's like a walk down memory lane. It's exciting and scary,'' actor Taylor Barrett, of Invercargill, said.
Written by British playwright Simon Stephens, Punk Rock has been described as a ''slow-building story of violence at school'' as it follows the lives of seven high-achieving high school pupils at a private school studying for their mock exams.
The Dunedin cast - four university students and five professional actors - describe it as ''provocative'', ''sexual'', ''aggressive'' and ''funny''.
Director Lara Macgregor said it was a ''gritty'' play which seemed perfect for the first collaboration between the University of Otago and Dunedin's Fortune Theatre.
''It spoke to me as the ideal play ... as the age group of the characters in the play are in their last year at grammar school in Stockport, Manchester before they embark into the wide world.
''They know that world better than I do, they are informed about that world far more.''
So the University of Otago created a year 3 theatre paper for students to take based on being involved in the play.
The pupils in the play were dealing with pressure from their peers, their teachers, their parents and their hormones, issues the actors, all in their 20s, could relate to, she said.
''The group of students has been at school since they started and a new girl arrives and this throws up all sorts of issues as some deal well with it and others don't.''
The story included the ''cliched'' characters of any schoolyard story: the bully, nerd, jock, seducer and funny girl, but with a twist.
However, it was important people realised it was not a student production but a professional one, she said.
''These guys are the best of the best. It's a professional production all the way.''
Casting was a long and difficult process, with the search for her lead characters requiring two casting trips to Auckland where most acting graduates settled, she said.
''It just didn't feel right. I took a risk not casting the first time as it pushed the timeline out.''
So with two weeks before rehearsals started she was still looking for her central characters. She finally found them in Ripeka Templeton (Lilly) and Jared Kirkwood (William).
It was also challenging to have to ''reject'' the remaining pupils taking the paper after giving roles to Andrew Coshan (Nicholas), Ailis Oliver-Kerby (Cissy), Sinead Fitzgerald (Lucy) and Hamish Annan (Chadwick), she said.
''I wanted to give everyone a go and to not give that when I know how important it is ...''
Those students not selected for one of the main roles were interning in backstage roles at the theatre.
One of the cast's first tasks was to research the play. They discovered how Stephens' play had been influenced by confrontational movies such as Gus Van Sant's Elephant, and The History Boys, Lord of the Flies and Skins.
''It's a contemporary story with challenging subject matter.''
The language could also be challenging for some of the Fortune's regular theatre audience, she said.
People could also be misled by the play's title as while there was some music in the play, the title was a metaphor for the ''beat'' going on in the head of the main character William, she said.
Mr Coshan, who hoped to pursue a professional acting career, said taking part in such a production was a ''great seque'' into the industry.
''I'm learning so much. There is a difference between amateur and professional. It asks a lot more of the actors. You need to understand what's going on with your character better than anyone and they challenge you.''
Being treated like a professional actor was also an eye-opener, Ms Oliver-Kerby said.
''It pushes you out of your comfort zone. It's really special to be part of.''
Ms Fitzgerald said it was a fantastic opportunity allowing the students to push the boundaries while still having the security of being at university.
''The reality has been a bit of a shock.''
The professional actors were also looking forward to their roles in the play.
Ms Templeton had just arrived in New Zealand after completing three years at drama school in England.
''I've not lived in New Zealand since I was a baby.''
Her parents met and fell in love while at university in New Zealand.
''So years later to get a call back to the exact spot is amazing. It's a wonderful cast, so inspiring.''
It was Mr Barrett's first professional acting job since graduating, so being able to come ''home'' was awesome, he said.
Lana Walters (Tanya) was the eldest cast member.
''I thought there was no way I could play 17, so that is quite flattering.''
She had been mostly working in graduate-driven, profit-share theatre until now so was relishing being able to concentrate solely on her acting.
For Mr Kirkwood, the ability to mix travel and the work he loved made the job of acting a privilege, he said.
''To be working with people my age and it's the first time I've worked with a woman director.''
He was finding the storyline ''hardcore'' and like living in a ''time warp''.
''It's reliving high school ... there is a little part of each of us that we are bringing to [these characters].''
Ms Macgregor said it was ''quite freaky'' listening to the cast as they came out of rehearsal talking about what they were like at 17.
''There is a scarily strong connection, each directly relatable to their character. I don't know how that happened.''
