Meet Katie Novotny | Freelance Copywriter/Comedian

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katie Novotny and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I’m from Naperville, IL, a Midwest gal through and through. I have a ‘Midwest’ necklace I wear every day. You know, in case I get lost and need to find my way home.

My grandma was a singer for the Chicago Lyric Opera, my mom is a drama teacher, so I fell in love with the stage at a very young age. A former theater minor and community theater star herself, my mom started the Drama Club at my grade school. She actually gave me my first leading role in 5th grade as Maid Marion in the iconic ‘A Knight to Remember’ – nepotism at its finest. Our Christmases were filled with songs around the piano until far past our bedtime, and our afternoons were packed with Disney singalongs. I still crave the Jesus Christ Superstar soundtrack around Easter, even though I haven’t been to church in years. Our family brand is theatre.
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My dad works in IT. He was born to first generation immigrants from Poland, and my grandma practically raised her sisters. A very Novotny tradition is reusing Ziploc bags for 10+ years and storing leftovers in butter tubs. Neither of his parents went to college, but my grandpa owned a small basket weaving business and my grandma worked at Sears as a Sales Associate, eventually working her way up to VP. My dad was the first one to get a degree on that side of the family, and gave me the gift of hard work, determination, and also hard work.

When you’re in a creative field, you need two very important things to keep you going – 1. A burning passion for the art. 2. An incredible work ethic. I truly believe the combination of my mom’s and grandma’s love for performing and my dad and his grandparents desire to make something of themselves is a gift that not only influenced my path – it created it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
“Was it easy?” LOL NO. I took my first improv class in 2012. It is *checks watch* 2024 and I am just starting to feel like I am coming into who I am as a comedian.

Why? I think I’ve finally hit my 10,000 hours. I’ve taken MLM improv classes. I’ve created sketch shows. I’ve produced multiple webseries and short films. I’m five years into stand up but I had already been doing comedy for six years when I started – so I had already been sharpening my point of view, already knew how to be comfortable on stage, understood the science behind a joke and had improv to fall back on if/when everything went to hell.

At this point in my career, I’m also the best I’ve ever been. In this moment I’ve been doing it the longest I ever have. And next year I hope I get better, and the next even better, and then I’m planning to really regress in 2027. But the magic of LA is that it’s a city full of opportunities if you’re willing to put the work in and be kind.

The most important thing I changed about my comedy journey was making it my Plan A. For the last 12 years, I’ve had a day job in advertising (makes comedy financially easier but mentally harder) and I never really believed I could “do it.” In 2020, I was living in New York, working in the creative department at a tech company, and just getting out of those amazing bringer shows. I was one of the lucky thousands who lost their job within a month of the pandemic hitting, my lease was up, and I moved back to the suburbs to live with my parents and ride out/survive the pandemic together.

I spent unemployment wallowing, getting drunk or doing silly side projects. I made a music video for a song I wrote in 8th grade (happy to send you the link). I started writing a one woman show that I filmed in my parents’ house(directed by the honorable Leah Bonnema), I started writing jokes and posting them on Instagram cause I didn’t understand TikTok. I realized that without work, without my beloved New York, without the world and without my friends – I was happy just creating. I was essentially every cliche. I was unemployed living in my parents’ basement* (*changed for dramatic purposes) and I was creating. And I knew I had to take a risk, bet on myself, and move to LA (Shoutout to Therapist Jill). The pandemic made me realize that if the world is going to burn, I might as well go down swinging. I had to give myself a chance — I’d regret it if I didn’t.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ok first of all, a week is too long. Second of all, I’m 35 and I don’t like to do things very much anymore. Third, I get lonely out here so I think I’d like them to do some errands with me. The local Costco is gorgeous, I need to get a car wash, and I’ve been wanting new pillows but don’t know where to go for that. Maybe toss in some whale watching, a beach day, lunch at Villas tacos, some of my favorite libraries, and I’d bring them to my Sunday pickup softball game that boasts some of the best comics and worst softball players you’ve ever seen. Oh also, Magic Castle. It’s siiiiick.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Thank you so much, I’ve always wanted to give an Oscars speech.

I’d like to dedicate this shoutout to all my friends who have picked me up when I felt like I could not keep going. This business is full of the highest highs and lowest lows and sometimes those lows make you want to curl up in a weighted blanket, plop on 35 episodes of Love Island and DoorDash McDonald’s until you’re dead. The comics and acting community that I have met here in LA have supported me more than I have ever experienced. They have celebrated with me, created with me, and cried with me – and each of them have repeatedly shown up in my gratitude journal over the last three years. There are so many times they have believed in me more than I believe in myself and that is something I never want to take for granted. It can be so lonely in this field, because we’re each on our own journey, but we need to remember we can not do this alone.

And I can’t forget to thank all my Civilian Friends (non-comics) that came out to see shows when I was very bad. We are nothing without the people who come to see us in the beginning. My friends and family sat through so many bad shows so I could get stage time and figure myself out. Your sacrifices won’t be forgotten. *insert salute emoji*

Website: https://www.katienovotny.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathnovotny/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katienovotny1010/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@novotnykatie

Other: Last Dance Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EA0hHULmwUs

Spotify Song Link: https://open.spotify.com/track/5XIUS5ekvghcqhbriksSJV?si=1301fecac745418a

Image Credits
Mal Hall
Tall and Small Photography
Nkchei Chibueze