Dylan Shield is president of the Dunedin Repertory Society, which has been managing Dunedin's Playhouse Theatre and staging amateur productions for more than 75 years.
What was the best birthday present you ever received, and why?
While living in Sydney I was gifted a trip to Shark Island, in Sydney Harbour. It doesn't sound like much, but the ferry there was empty, as was the island when I arrived. So, for the 90 minutes between arriving and departing, I had my own private island.
What is your message?
Empathy. Above all else, empathy.
If you were going to an island and could take only three things, what would they be and why?
My guitar, because I get withdrawal symptoms if I can't play for even a day; a laptop loaded to the brim with my favourite TV shows, because nothing beats a lazy day binging Breaking Bad; and sunscreen, because we gingers have to be careful, yo!
What's something only your family knows about you?
I prefer my toast under-done, like, really under-done. We're talking warm bread.
You are a new addition to the crayon box. What colour are you, and why?
Vantablack, because have you ever tried drawing a black hole with crayons? Not very convincing. And I'm all for helping artists achieving their creative potential.
