We're excited to share this interview with Katie Leemon, the talented playwright behind Don't Be a Hero, Thank You, one of the two plays featured in PPA’s production of As Told by Us next month. Katie, a member of the PPA Alumni Theatre Company, opened up about the journey of writing her play, the inspiration behind it, and the deeply personal stories that shaped her work.
What was the inspiration behind Don't Be a Hero, Thank You?
The play was derived from a collection of stories I told backstage during the run of another play. I was reacting to the world around me as a newly released individual, and the cast had a great response to them. The writer of the play I was in, Courtney Bailey, said that it would make a great play. I told her, "I'm not a writer," but she guided me through the entire process. She's a fairy play mother.
Where did the title Don't Be a Hero, Thank You come from, and how does it relate to the story?
The title came out of a reading. One reaction was, "Why were you there?" So I told my story, and they suggested I put that in there. The title is part of Kate's origin story, so to speak.
If you had to describe this play in three words, what would they be?
Heartfelt, funny, deep.
How much of the play is drawn from personal experience or stories you’ve encountered
Most of the play happened in real life. Some details have been changed, but the majority of it is basically a diary.
What was your writing process like for this piece?
Essentially, I did a brain dump for about a year straight. Anything I felt or felt like writing about went in the play. Then I went back through and edited for writing structure. Then I edited and rearranged things so I had a story. Eventually, I did a private reading and then a more structured reading, both with feedback.
What’s your go-to snack or beverage when you’re deep in the writing zone?
Black coffee.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever received about writing?
To be a writer, all you have to do is engage in the act of writing. :)
How did your involvement with PPA shape your approach to writing this play?
It gave me the confidence to try something I never imagined was possible. PPA is infectious. Their unwavering belief in me gave me the courage to at least give it a shot, even if nothing ever came from writing the play.
What’s the biggest lesson you learned during the process of writing this play?
Even when you are the villain, you can still become a hero.
What is one thing you hope people will take away from Don't Be a Hero, Thank You?
The human experience is a shared experience; we're all just looking at it from different angles.
We hope you enjoyed this behind-the-scenes look at Katie's journey in creating Don't Be a Hero, Thank You. Her play is a powerful reminder of our shared humanity, and you won’t want to miss it. Catch Don't Be a Hero, Thank You You as part of As Told by Us running from November 14-17 at The Greenfinch Theater & Dive. Grab your tickets today and join us for an evening of incredible storytelling by our PPA Alumni Theatre Company members.