Interview with a Playwright - Kate Ryan

by Megan

What did you major in while in college?
A. English Literature

What inspired you to become a playwright?
A. Working with directors and producers.

Did you like plays as a kid?
A. I never could afford to go to one.

How many plays have you written?
A. Twenty-five.

If you could pick another job, besides a playwright, what would it be?
A. Archeologist.

What is your favorite play written by another playwright?  Who is he/she?
A. Arcddia by Tom Stoppard.

What is your favorite play that you wrote?
A. OTTMA

Are your plays fiction or based on your life experiences?
A. they are mostly fiction but draw some from life.

What is your regular work day like?
A. Like any regular day.

How do you feel about your choice of career?
A. A brilliant choice but I wish I were an archeologist.

Do you love your work?
A. Yes.

Will you always be a playwright?
A. Maybe not, but I will always tell stories.

Is it a profitable career?
A. No.

Would you say your career is fun or just hard work?
A. Both, because if it was anything less I wouldn't do it.

How do you come up with the subjects for your work?
A. I read a lot of books and history.  I also get things from life.

Do you feel confident about your plays or do you feel you could have done better?
A. Usually, but I always feel that I could have done a little better.

How long does it take you to write the average play?
A. About three years, but for a musical about six.

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