Ailsa Piper – Words, Wonder, and Homecoming

Ailsa Piper (Class of 1976) has experienced a life of creativity and resilience, with an enduring connection to her roots. She has woven a life rich with words, theatre, and storytelling, drawing inspiration from the nurturing environment of her early education. From her love of literature sparked by childhood poems to a remarkable career spanning acting, writing, and directing, Ailsa’s story is a testament to the power of following one’s passions. With her latest book, For Life: A Memoir of Living, Dying – and Flying, just about to launch, she shares how her experiences at Santa Maria helped shape her path and how they continue to influence her life and work today.

I was a reader from the beginning. My mother recited The Owl and the Pussycat to me every night from the time I was born until I could say it with her. It taught me to love rhythm and rhyme but also whimsical words and ideas. The story is about two very different creatures who set out on an adventure together into uncharted waters. They don’t take crazy risks, though—they ensure they have plenty of everything they need. They are equals who understand and support each other. 

This became my personal template. I’ve heard it said that the poem is the best foundation story we can give to kids – better than fairy tales or superheroes. It certainly worked for me! It foretold my choice of partner (a kind man who was a gifted actor with a great sense of humour and wonder), my ache for travel and novelty, my wonder at the natural world, and, of course, my professions. I have worked with words all my life – as an actor, a director and a writer. Books were magic portals for me from the very beginning, and I always dreamed of writing. It was at Santa Maria that I fell in love with theatre. I blame that on the great teacher Hal Davies. He opened my eyes, mind and heart to the great privilege of trying to embody another human’s experience. 

And so, I became an actor. That work took me across the country to Sydney, and then to Melbourne, where I met the glorious human who would be my husband. There’s a backstory there that involves Santa Maria, but it’s too long to tell here. You can hear it on the ABC’s Conversations program or read it in my new book. But I’m grateful to Hal Davies once again for the school excursion that introduced me to my husband!