Badar Tareen is a civil rights attorney by day and an award-winning stand-up comedian and filmmaker by night. Known for his sharp, energetic, and analytical comedy, Badar captivates audiences with his wit and engaging presence, drawing rich material from his day job, family, and background as a Pakistani Muslim who grew up in a small town in North Dakota. He has opened for comedians like Zarna Garg, Aparna Nancherla, Akaash Singh, Tony Woods, and Marcello Hernandez, and has been featured at over a dozen comedy festivals, performing at clubs across the U.S., Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. In 2024, he was selected to headline his own show at the DC Capital Fringe Festival, which received the “Best of the Fest” designation and was featured in The Washington Post. This year, Forbes named Badar as one of the 12 Rising AAPI Stand-Up Comedians To Watch

Instagram: @badartareen

Abby Govindan is a stand-up comedian and writer based in New York City. She has amassed over 300,000 followers across all social media platforms and opened for comedy heavyweights such as Hasan Minhaj, Daniel Sloss, and Russell Peters. Abby is a comedic mainstay, headlining sold out shows in cities including New York, DC, Chicago, San Francisco, and Houston among many others. She is one of the youngest touring comedians in the country and made her international headliner debut to sold out crowds in Canada, the UK, and Australia.

Instagram: @abbygovindan

Ali Mehedi is a New York–based comedian whose comedy blends sharp observation, cultural insight, and a darkly playful take on the world. He is the creator of Laughing Lassi, a sold-out monthly NYC showcase that has become a destination for audiences and comedians alike. His solo show “Made in Bangladesh” debuted at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with a sold-out run and is set for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2025. Ali has been featured at the New York Comedy Festival, Halifax Comedy Festival, Very Big Very Asian Comedy Festival, and Asian Comedy Fest, and appeared on CBC..

Instagram: @alimehediofficial

Shelley Kim is a comedian, producer, and content creator based in Washington DC. A rising star, Shelley has been featured in the Washingtonian and “The Art of Comedy” on PBS and “Comedy in the Capital” on CBS. The Washington Post also listed her as one of the “10 Funniest Comedians Working in D.C. right now.” She has performed with national headliners including Ramy Youssef, Todd Barry, Dulce Sloan and Judah Friedlander. Most recently, Shelley opened for Roy Wood Jr. and Jordan Klepper on their sold-out “America: For the Last Time” tour.

Instagram: @machinegunshelley_

Arko Mazumder is a Gen-Z, DC based comedian. His comedy tackles the ups and downs of anxiety and self-improvement, all while poking fun at the clichés of therapy and emotional growth. Arko has hosted for Ali Sultan, Dauood Naimyar, and other comics seen on Comedy Central and Don’t Tell Comedy. In addition to featuring at renowned clubs such as Punch Line Philly, he co-produces Chamber of Comedy, a monthly showcase at The DC Arts Center.

Instagram: @arko.comedy

Jack Schwartz is a comedian with more than 100,000 followers across social media. A regular at every major comedy club in DC and a touring comic nationwide, Jack is known for his fearless, irreverent style and hilarious stories drawn from a wildly unconventional life. Before stand-up, Jack worked as a paramedic and grew up between Japan and Florida — experiences that now fuel his sharp, absurd, and unpredictable comedy. He’s also an active voice in the filmmaking and podcasting worlds.

Instagram: @jackjschwartz