Quinta Brunson: ‘Abbott Elementary’ is Back in Session
Feb 11, 2024
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Quinta Brunson, creator and star of 'Abbott Elementary', discusses the guiding principles of the series, the incomparable cast, and how the show reflects her upbringing. She also talks about her comedic influences, performing in improv, and finding solace at Second City Chicago. Quinta reflects on moving to LA, feelings of alienation, and the Comedy Store performance that led her to Abbott Elementary. She shares her hopes for the future.
Abbott Elementary is based on Quinta Brunson's experiences growing up in Philadelphia and pays tribute to dedicated teachers.
Quinta Brunson emphasizes the need to amplify the voices and experiences of all individuals and create stories that bridge the gap between different communities.
Quinta Brunson finds joy and fulfillment in making people laugh and desires to continue creating meaningful and relatable content that connects with audiences.
Deep dives
Quinta Brunson's journey to success
Quinta Brunson, an Emmy-winning actor, writer, and comedian, recounts her journey to success in this podcast episode. She discusses her hit show, Abbott Elementary, which is based on her own experiences growing up in Philadelphia and pays tribute to the dedicated teachers who go above and beyond. Brunson shares how her mother, a kindergarten teacher, inspired her character on the show and influenced her own comedic style. She also reflects on the challenges and doubts she faced in pursuing a career in comedy, including the impact of her cousin's tragic death. Despite the obstacles, Brunson remains motivated to create stories that champion everyday people and highlight their often underappreciated contributions to society.
The power of relatability in comedy
Quinta Brunson discusses the importance of relatability in comedy and how it has shaped her approach to her audience. She explains that while she initially focused on sharing her own relatable but somewhat privileged problems in her comedy, she has now shifted her focus to championing the stories of everyday people who are often underappreciated, such as teachers, nurses, and neighbors. Brunson highlights the unique aspects of the black experience and acknowledges that it can be challenging for a white majority demographic to fully understand and relate. She emphasizes the need to amplify the voices and experiences of all individuals and create stories that bridge the gap between different communities.
Finding purpose and inspiration in comedy
Quinta Brunson reflects on the impact of comedy in her life and how it has become her purpose. She describes the joy and fulfillment she derives from making people laugh and the power of evoking emotional responses through her art. Brunson recalls her early experiences as a performer, making her siblings laugh, and the gratification it brought her. She also discusses how her experiences in her family, community, and education have shaped her comedic voice and the values she brings to her work. Brunson expresses her desire to continue creating meaningful and relatable content that connects with audiences and brings them joy.
Dealing with personal and professional challenges
Quinta Brunson opens up about the personal and professional challenges she has faced, including the doubts and criticism from others about her choices. She shares how her decision to pursue a career in comedy and move away from her family initially met with resistance and misunderstanding. Brunson discusses the process of balancing her personal and professional lives, creating invisible barriers to separate different aspects of her identity. She reflects on the difficult moments, such as the loss of her cousin, and how she found solace and determination in continuing to pursue her career and create art. Brunson emphasizes the importance of embracing the unknown and staying true to oneself, even in the face of adversity.
Future aspirations and the impact of storytelling
Looking ahead, Quinta Brunson shares her aspirations for the future. She expresses excitement about continuing to work on her hit show, Abbott Elementary, and the potential for future projects that capture her creative vision. Brunson also contemplates her desire to start a family and explores different possibilities for creating a fulfilling family dynamic. She emphasizes the power of storytelling in her life and how it allows her to connect with others, evoke emotions, and inspire change. Brunson acknowledges the impact of her work while also recognizing the importance of maintaining a balance between her personal and professional life, choosing which parts of herself to share with the world.
Today, we return to our conversation with “Abbott Elementary” creator and star, Quinta Brunson!
On the heels of her historic Emmy wins, we discuss the guiding principles behind the series (6:02), its incomparable cast (9:41), and the show’s personal connection to Quinta’s upbringing in West Philadelphia (14:49). Then, we unpack her earliest comedic influences (19:21), performing in improv in college (26:31), and the solace she found in Second City Chicago (29:09).
On the back-half, Quinta reflects on moving to Los Angeles at twenty-three (33:27), the feelings of alienation that followed (35:02), and the Comedy Store performance that irrevocably altered her course (36:55) and brought her to Abbott Elementary (46:56). To close, she shares her hopes for the years to come (51:00).
For questions, comments, or to join our mailing list, reach me at sf@talkeasypod.com.
