Arguably the leading Improv Theater in Atlanta, Dad’s Garage is hosting beloved comedian and actor Scott Adsit on August 9/10 for a special round of Improv. Scott Adsit is a versatile and proven entertainer, from his time as Pete on 30 Rock to his Adult Swim creations (Morel Orel and Frankenhole) to his turn as the voice of beloved Baymax from Big Hero 6. And, yes, that is just scratching the surface of his work that often has him called “that guy from that show.” Before he was making TV and films, he was a sketch comedian, earning his place in comedy along the likes of Tina Fey, his 30 Rock co-star.
He comes to Atlanta to return to his roots as a live performer. If past events at Dad’s are any benchmark, we can expect a lot of laughs. We sat down with him this week to talk a little bit about who he is as a performer and a nerd and what we can expect to see at his shows this weekend.
Hey, Scott, how are you today?
Alright, how are you?
Doing good, just waiting for you to come to Atlanta next week.
OmG that is not an exciting place you are in.
You were Baymax. Thank you. That’s not a question.
Oh wow.
Anytime I get to talk to someone who makes me cry, it makes me happy. Do you find you are identified differently by different fan bases because your career is so diverse?
Yeah, yeah! I can when someone is approaching me on the street, which properties they know me from. It’s about half and half between the two biggies: 30 Rock and Big Hero 6. But occasionally I will have someone come up and ask me about Moral Orel or Frankenhole or Mister Show. Or some tiny role where I am recognizable because someone might recognize my face, like the tiny role in the Italian Job. I can generally spot them when they are coming up.
We are not here to talk specifically about your film and TV work, but that you are coming to Atlanta to perform at Dad’s Garage. You come from that live performance background. What is it about live performing that excites you and brings you back to the stage?
Well, it’s kind of a cliché, but the immediate response you get to what you are doing. That is the most exciting thing about it. Also, there is an autonomy to it that an actor has that he doesn’t have anywhere but on stage. It’s nice to be in a medium where you are controlling your performance entirely…as opposed to an editor, or a director or even a lighting guy or whoever else might have his hands in your performance.
It’s nice to be simply free. You are you without any filters.
Tell me about the creative process of improv:
And mostly because while I do some stand up, I mostly do improv. That’s exciting because I get to share creating something in a crucible with imagination and fruition in the moment with someone: making eye contact and connecting. Being able to create something spontaneously.
It is written on water and it is gone as soon as you have done it.
And certainly, anyone who has something bad to say about my work, should realize that most of my best work is lost to the ages.
Is there anything about Dad’s that really relates to you as a performer?
I love the fact that the people there have been doing it a very long time. They have a fan base and an identity in the community in Atlanta and in the improv world at large. They have a great following and great talent and they are committed to it…they love it!
I love going to places and doing improv with people who love it.
Now I AM going to talk about 30 Rock. The quintessential Pete Hornberger moment for me, as a viewer, was Pete, alone, without his phone, with his arm stuck in a vending machine. Was it a warning about Candy Machines or just great physical comedy?
It was a warning about desire. Our desire causes our pain in life. It is the quintessential Pete moment because he eventually dials the phone with his shoe but ends up dialing his own office.
So, you are also a nerd. The only time I ever met you was at a comic book convention in Charlotte. My teenage daughter walked up to you, and you were so gracious to her. Since that time, she has pursued comedy. You are kind of a role model for her. What type of advice would you give to the young comics and performers trying to get out there today?
Trust your talents, don’t let anyone tell you aren’t good enough. Be someone other people will want to work with. Don’t be the jerk in the room. Do it for fun at first and if you end up loving it, then you gotta be willing to starve for it. And if you are willing to starve for it, you are on the right path. Because there are no guarantees. And improv is not a money maker.
Unless you own a theater. Then you can make money. That’s my advice to your daughter, buy a theater.
Staying on the nerd question, what is the relationship between Scott Adsit the performer and Scott Adsit Agent of Shield and now Nova Corps member?
The Deadpool comic book was relaunched. Gary Duggen and Brian Posehn started writing the book, and the artist Tony Moore drew me into the issue drew me in as a nameless shield agent. He picked me as his model. I met him once, I think. He was drawing from memory. Then they finished the book and realized “Hey, that’s Scott Adsit!” Gary called me up and asked if I would sign a release. That happened.
Then they started calling the nameless agent “Agent Adsit,” then, “Agent Scott Adsit.” In the official Marvel Universe, I exist as a person. The shield agent is annoyed by his charge, Deadpool. Eventually there was a cross over event in the Marvel Universe where they started killing people off. Gary Duggen decided to throw Adsit into space so he wouldn’t be killed off. Now Agent Adsit is in the Nova Corps, which has been seen in the MCU, so people might know what that is. And, he’s a commander.
I am out in space fighting along side Rocket Raccoon and other people in huge space battles and I am in charge! So, if multiple realities exist, then it is true I exist in the Marvel Universe.
Is there a Funko Pop of you?
I do not think there is, but we did have some Moral Orel toys. There were not many, but even Dino and I don’t have any.
Last question: If you had a superpower, what you would use it for?
Well, for good! It depends on what it is. If it were flight, I would avoid traffic, but mostly I would make the world a little better.
My choice of superpower would be the best superpower: speed. I was on a podcast with Hal Loveland and Mark Gagliardi. They debate trivial things such as which is the best jelly and they had a debate of best superpower and I won the argument with speed. Anything (an evil doer) would want to do would be stopped by going faster than them. I can’t imagine writing the Flash comic book because he can do anything before anyone knew it happened. That’s my superpower.
Adsit and the crew at Dad’s Garage promise two exciting evenings of live, improvised comedy. Get your tickets quickly to See Scott Adsit at Dad’s Garage August 9/10.
Where:
Dad’s Garage Theater Company
569 Ezzard St SE
Atlanta, Georgia
Call (404) 523-3141
Find out more:
https://dadsgarage.com/
Get Your Tickets:
https://dadsgarage.com/scott-adsit-weekend/
