I hate to admit this so openly, but this month’s creator Q&A has got me seriously geeking out. 30 Rock ranks as one of my all-time favourite comedies, so you can imagine how excited I am to be interviewing original cast member Keith Powell!

Keith has enjoyed a diverse career as actor. Aside from his role as James “Toofer” Spurlock in 30 Rock (which nabbed him a Screen Actor’s Guild Award in the Comedy Ensemble category), he’s also featured in recurring parts on The Newsroom and About A Boy, and guest starred on shows like Law & Order and Reno 9-11. His big screen credits include Night At The Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, Syrup, and The Way We Weren’t, and he co-wrote, produced, and starred in My Name is David. Keith also has a considerable body of theatre work under his belt as both an actor and a director.

Currently, Keith writes, directs, and stars (alongside Jill Knox) in Keith Broke His Leg, a semi-autobiographical, off-beat comedy web series that you should definitely check out if you haven’t already. I’d like to thank Keith for taking the time out of his busy schedule to participate in this Q&A and recommend you visit his official website to keep up to date on the many awesome projects he has coming out right now.

As someone who has worked in film, TV, and on the stage, what are the benefits of producing a web series over these other mediums?

Creating Keith Broke His Leg provided a tremendous opportunity for me to be creative at low cost while pushing the show out relatively quickly to a wide audience. No other medium allows me to do that in the way a web series format does. Because the project is so personal and somewhat autobiographical, it was an opportunity to be able to share with my fans my unique point of view efficiently without many middlemen.

You’ve played both dramatic and comedic roles during your career – how does your approach to a serious part differ from a funny one?

The only real difference between comedy and drama is timing. Everything else should be approached exactly the same: honestly and directly while staying as true to yourself as possible. Acting isn’t about playing other people in different genres, it is about using certain aspects of yourself in imagined circumstances. It shouldn’t matter if you’re doing a serious piece or a comedic piece.

Where do you find the essence of comedy lies for you? Is it in the writing, the timing or something else?

Great comedy always begins with the writing. A performer can’t really grab onto the truth of a scene if the writing doesn’t provide a foundation. What a performer can bring to a script is timing and personality, but if the script isn’t in place to back it all up, it won’t be funny.

Who would you say has had the biggest influence on your career?

I draw inspiration from the people I’ve known throughout my personal life. Some of them have been famous while some have not. They are mostly women in my life, so take from that what you will: Lynn Redgrave (who did the first play I produced), my mother and grandmother, Tina Fey, and my wife. They all have provided me with a tremendous education that I am forever grateful for.

What advice would you give to an aspiring comedic actor trying to break into the industry?

Be yourself. That is the biggest commodity in Hollywood and the hardest to duplicate. Never let anyone take your individuality from you.