Paper Cuts

With Ken Preuss

What inspired you to write this play?

All three love stories are based on my not-so-successful romantic escapades in middle and high school. I placed a math test in a locker when I meant to place a secret admirer note. I made corny puns attempting to flirt while decorating for a dance. I accidentally let my notebook fall into the hands of my crush, revealing doodles and writing expressing my feelings. I thought it would be fun to share the tales with teens… and rewrite the endings as I wish they had occurred.

What's your favorite part or line in the play?  Why?

I love moments in all three plays, but I think my favorite joke might be from HOW TO MAKE A PLAY FOR A GIRL. Justin’s sister, Parker, knows that he likes to doodle his crush’s name all the time. She sees Justin with a book his crush has dropped and playfully teases him.

JUSTIN: Her name isn’t written on it. How do you know it isn’t mine?

PARKER: Because if it was yours, her name would be written all over it.

The line makes me laugh, it’s a fun moment between the siblings, and it captures that comical all-consuming infatuation of first crushes.

Where did the characters come from? Are they based on people you know?

The characters are based on friends I had in school and students I have taught over the years. I love combining personality traits of different people to create unique and memorable personas that are interesting for actors to play and relatable for the audiences who see them on the stage.

What did you try to achieve with this play?

I wanted to create fast and funny scenes that explore universal experiences we all share in our school days: confiding in friends, relying on family, dreaming of crushes, and more. I hope the laughter and romance leave audiences happy and hopeful and headed home with memories of their own school-related adventures whether awkward or awesome.

Do you have anything else you'd like to add?

Have fun! Break legs!