Interview with Amber Nash (Archer's Pam Poovey)
Photographer: Yasmine Kateb ; Hair: Matilde Camps ; Makeup: Allison Noelle
One of the most recognizable voices in voiceover today, Improv Comedian and Actress Amber Nash has achieved nigh-legendary status thanks to her hilarious roles and contributions to some of the medium’s most popular shows.
Most people know Nash from her pivotal role in FXX’s smashingly successful Satirical Spy Sitcom "Archer", where she voices Pam Poovey, the extremely tough-yet-incompetent former Human Resources Manager of the fictional spy agency ISIS.
Fans were delighted in 2020 when the 12th season of the Primetime Emmy winning show was announced, and now that we're close to the premiere date (August 25th), we got a chance to sit down and chat with Amber about her ongoing role as Pam, and other projects, such as her upcoming foray into live-action film with the indie adult comedy "How to Ruin the Holidays."
When did you start acting and performing and when did you first realize you wanted it to be your career? When did voiceover come into play for you?
My first acting experience was in an elementary school play, and I was also in a church Christmas pageant. I knew pretty early on that I loved an audience. I was always "performing" for other classmates in school and getting into tons of trouble for talking in class. I didn't think it was a viable career path, so I went to school to get a degree in psychology. While I was in college, I saw an improv show, and I was, hooked. I started taking classes and volunteering and eventually quit my job as a youth counselor to pursue a career in performance and improv. I was looking for work anywhere I could find and came across radio spots and voice-over for commercials for a friend that worked for an ad agency. I later auditioned for a show on Adult Swim called "Frisky Dingo." I worked on that show for about two years. Some of the directors and writers went on to make "Archer" and brought me along.
Did you grow up on the stage or did you start acting later in life? Have your friends and family supported you as you sought a career in entertainment?
After the elementary school and church experience, I joined drama club and classes in high school. My friends have always loved coming to see me in improv shows. I still perform at Dad's Garage Theatre in Atlanta. My friends come and see me perform; I love it. My sister and my niece have always been supportive of my acting career. My parents were unsure. They didn't love the racy humor that I dabbled in improv, and "Archer" is not for them, but they are definitely proud of me.
How did you land your role as Pam Poovey on Archer and what was the audition process like?
As I mentioned, the guys that make the show "Archer" gave me the job because they had worked with me before, which I know sounds crazy. I didn't even have to audition. They had so many big stars signed on to do the show; it is amazing that I got the opportunity. I'll be forever grateful to Matt Thompson and Adam Reed. I did have to get network approval, and lucky for me, FX liked me too. It was like winning the lottery to get on a TV show.
Do you have a specific way that you get into character with your voice to play Pam? What does your regular “warm up” routine involve?
To get into character and find Pam's voice again, it's all in the word "Really?" for whatever reason that clicks me into Pam. Honestly, I don't have a warm-up routine. I get in the booth and go.
Describe Pam’s character for us – many have called her the “real hero of Archer;” do you agree?
Pam started as the "sturdy bi-sexual director of HR" and was there to be the butt of some jokes and be very bad at her job and wholly inappropriate. She has blossomed into quite a character. I love that description of her. She is the heart of the show, and she can and will do anything. She is body-positive, sex-positive, and completely unapologetic, and it is wonderful.
How are you and Pam alike and how are you different? What are a few of your favorite things about playing Pam and how has she changed the way you view yourself?
Pam is such a badass. Sometimes, I wish I was more like her. We are both one of the boys, have dirty mouths, and aren't afraid to say what we are thinking. I'm not nearly as unapologetic, thanks to growing up in the south. I don't have the unyielding confidence of Pam either. I love that she has become a sex symbol for all the reasons we've stated. You don't see sex symbols like Pam very often. Men are always posting that Pam is the perfect woman, which has blown my mind. I guess we think we know exactly what men think is attractive, but I've been surprised. Media and advertising tell us it's this perfect looking and acting woman, but Pam blows all that up, and men seem to love it. The men love that she eats what she wants and isn't precious about things. She will drink you under the table, poop with the door open, is funnier than the guys, can beat you up, can drive any type of vehicle, and is strong, yet isn't afraid to show her body because it doesn't match the impossible beauty standard. It is liberating. I'm learning from Pam in that way. Maybe I don't need to constantly feel bad because my body isn't a size 2. Maybe I don't need to starve myself to be considered valid. She had opened me up to the world of body positivity. Great question, I should write a book.
How long have you been working as a voice artist and what were some of your earliest roles?
I started around 2006, doing radio and voice-over work for commercials. It was around this time that the everyman's voice; started to become preferable to the announcer voice in commercials. I started working on "Frisky Dingo" soon after that. I auditioned for Matt and Adam to play a teenager and didn't get the role; I was not right for it. I was smoking a pack a day for about ten years; I quit six years ago. Anyway, Matt and Adam liked me and wanted to find a role for me, and I made it on to the show as another character. I did lots of voices for them. I think that is the part they liked. I could do character voices, thanks to improv experience, and they would call me, and I would be there in 10 minutes.
You’re a fellow Atlantan – what are some of your favorite aspects about working in the entertainment industry in Atlanta?
I always say Atlanta is a place that you can make things happen as an artist. If you have an idea, you can do it here. We don't have a big brother looming over us like Hollywood or Broadway. We do what we want. There are so many incredible artists in this city, music, acting, and street art. We've got it all.
You studied improve with Improv Olympic in Chicago and have been a staple on Atlanta stages for years. What is your favorite thing about improv and what how has it challenged you to grow as a performer?
I did study at iO for a short time, but the majority of my training came from Dad's Garage. My favorite thing about improv is how freeing it is. You can be anyone, doing anything you can dream up. Plus, you don't have to memorize lines. That is the worst part of being an actor, in my opinion. Also, it is another good thing about voice acting. It is the foundation of my career. Improv is how I learned to be an actor, how I learned to perform for an audience. It’s how I learned my brand of humor, and it taught me everything I know about performing.
You’re also a part of the Improv Ensemble at Dad’s Garage Theatre and collaborate regularly on comedic projects with them. Can you tell us more about your funny family there and what it’s like being a member of this Atlanta staple group?
Dad's Garage is my artistic home. It's where I met just about all of my friends and my husband. It's a great place. Lucky Yates of Archer is also an ensemble member. I get to improvise, write, direct, teach, tour, create new show formats. I've been there for 23 years in some capacity, and I can't see myself leaving ever. We are known as the scrappy younger brother of the theatre community of Atlanta. We call ourselves the gateway drug of theatre. You can see some of our stuff on our YouTube channel Dad's Garage TV or our Twitch channel @dadsgarageatl
Which do you prefer, acting with your voice or acting with your entire body? How is voice acting and acting for stage different and how do the two art forms help build on each other?
I love voice over but acting with my entire body is a lot more fun. I learned early on that I have to use my whole body when doing voice over as well. You can hear the difference, just like how you can tell if someone is smiling over the phone. The audience can't see me; that is the difference. Being on stage is magical because you have an audience who is sharing the journey with you.
What advice do you have for any artists or voice actors looking to make a name for themselves in the industry, especially right now during the pandemic?
If you want to be a voice actor, you must be an actor first. Take classes and do improv; that is my best advice. Now everything is online, and people are making a splash on TikTok, YouTube, Twitch. So put your stuff out there, find your audience, and hone your skill.
Favorites
What is your favorite role you’ve ever played? Ebenezer Scrooge
Who is your favorite actor/actress? Lily Tomlin
What is your favorite Broadway show? Sweeney Todd
What is your favorite food? Samosas
What is your current favorite Netflix show to binge? The Haunting of Bly Manor
What is your favorite song? Fake Plastic Trees