Keegan-Michael Key

Keegan-Michael Key combined his early passion for both theater acting and Bugs Bunny to become the stage and screen presence, and sketch comedy genius, he is today. Not long after COVID-19’s industry shutdown, he chatted with Jack about the state of the biz, training on Second City stages, and where improvisation and scripted writing overlap. “Just figure out how to help solve the problem,” he advises his fellow artists. “All anybody here is thinking about is, how do we make the project the best thing it can be?” The actor-writer is best known for his work on “MadTV” and opposite Jordan Peele on their Emmy-winning variety sketch show “Key and Peele.” Keegan-Michael now hosts National Geographic’s “Brain Games,” and has starred on and Off-Broadway, on “Playing House,” “Friends From College,” in feature films “Keanu,” “The Predator,” “Dolemite Is My Name,” and in countless voiceover roles. This episode is brought to you by National Geographic’s “Brain Games.” To check out Backstage’s coverage of film and TV crew jobs, click here: https://bit.ly/3hYb4Lh ---- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis