October Spotlight: ETC Member Kim Ruyle
From Broadway Student to Produced Playwright
Kim Ruyle, a playwright who has written nine plays—with six already produced and another in the works—has built his career on a blend of passion, preparation, and strategic relationship-building. His journey reflects a deep commitment to the art of theater and a disciplined approach to networking and honing his unique voice.
For over 20 years, Kim has traveled to New York at least three times a year, immersing himself in Broadway shows. “I’d see four or five plays in a weekend,” he says, always attending as a student of the craft. He watched closely to learn: How does a play start? What humor lands with the audience? How do the dramatic elements come together for a satisfying end? This habit of absorbing theater, combined with seeing about 50 shows annually, has been key to his growth as a playwright.
But Kim’s success goes beyond just studying the craft. He brings a three-pronged approach, borrowed from his influence coaching background, into his writing career: credibility, relationships, and a unique voice.
Credibility, for Kim, is built through preparation and continual learning. Relationships are forged through smart, subtle networking. “When I go, I pay attention to who’s directing, who’s the artistic director, and which actors stand out – I say, man, they did a great job and I would like to work with them someday. I often send them a friend request on Facebook afterward or compliment them after the show, which helps me build relationships over time,” he explains, noting that being a known face in local theaters has helped him make key connections that can open the door to productions.
Finding his unique voice has also been central to his success. “If you don’t have something original to say, why should anyone listen? Developing your own brand, your own voice is key. It takes time and effort to discover and hone that voice.”
He continues, “I write plays for mature actors that have an edgy quality to them. I tend to write ‘dramedies’ — stories with a mix of drama and comedy. Even in my most dramatic pieces, you’ll find comedic moments; I believe plays need to entertain and engage the audience. Not to say that I don’t have thought-provoking content in my plays – but they don’t promote a social agenda. I focus on telling a compelling story, one that makes people think, laugh, or cry.”
“I’ll add one more thing,” he says. “Early in my playwriting career I was on a drama skill webcast, and I heard playwright Phil Olson say something that stuck with me: ‘When you finish a play, don’t start your next one until you get the first one produced.’ That really resonated with me, and I try to do that now. Out of the nine full-length plays I’ve written, six have been produced, and I think another is about to be. So, it’s not just about writing—you have to focus on getting your work produced as well.
Discipline and Persistence
Kim’s disciplined approach to both writing and networking has led to tangible results. He writes daily, and also makes time to attend theater weekly, dedicates two months each year to marketing his work, and conducts in-depth research to develop stories for new plays. “My current project is set in the 1880s Old West, and I’m deep into research. I think it’s a unique setting for the stage, and I plan to bring in my signature blend of drama and comedy, I hope.”
As Kim’s career shows, success in playwriting requires both craft and hustle—balancing creativity with strategic relationship-building, and always staying a student of the art. He’s an inspiration to me and to all of our ETC members in CreateTheater!
Find out more about Kim’s work at kimruyle.com and read his plays on the NPX.
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