Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Elam
Hi Scott, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Luke Watson and Scott Field started Third Coast one night after wrapping up an improv class they were co-teaching. The two got to talking about the constant challenges of contracting with different venues each month for shows and of the frustrations with growing a larger, more integrated comedy community.
Nashville comics have been performing at venues built for music or for serving food, or coffee, or beer. The locals never had their own place. Third Coast Comedy was the solution, a home for all local comedians, a place that would produce every form of comedy: stand-up, sketch, improv, comedic plays, variety shows, live podcasts, and talk shows. Any type of comedy Nashville wanted, Third Coast would see that it got on stage.
Third Coast now produces shows 5 nights a week, offers a training center with classes in improv, stand up, clowning, writing, acting, and more, and has a full bar. Plus our corporate team offers trainings in team building, sales, presentations skills, and more.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest challenge we have faced by far was the pandemic. We shut down completely for 13 months and when we finally re-opened, we faced another 18 months of Covid variants that kept audiences away and performers in/out of the lineups. As you can imagine, intimate comedy clubs were among the last places people felt comfortable visiting.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Third Coast is Nashville’s only brick and mortar venue dedicated to improv comedy. Since 2016, we’ve been offering comedy for locals, by locals and we’ve built a community of creative, funny, kind people who support one another in their artistic endeavours.
What’s next?
We’ve outgrown our current space and are looking to move later this year. Moving is scary – it requires a ton of time and effort and research, not to mention money. But we’re excited about what the next space will afford us. We hope to have a space secured in the next few months and are looking at a Fall 2025 move.
Pricing:
- ticket prices vary but most range from $10-20
- classes are $275 for 8 weeks
- parking is free
- drinks are cheap
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thirdcoastcomedy.club/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thirdcoastcomedyclub/?hl=en
