Rahmein Mostafavi (official website) charms crowds with comic timing and charisma developed during a decade of live performance. He entered the stand-up world after working as a longtime cast member of “Shear Madness,” the acclaimed Kennedy Center improv/comedy whodunit. His natural joke writing ability, combined with his acting chops, have won him rave reviews in both the Washington area and around the country. He also produced events under the “Cool Cow Comedy” banner, bringing live comedy to venues in Maryland and Virginia.

Rahmein has been featured at the Laugh Your Asheville Off comedy festival, The Devil Cup, Red Clay, The Cleveland Comedy Festival, and the Cape May Comedy Festival. Rahmein has been seen on FOX, heard regularly on Sirius XM, was featured in “The Truth About Money” on PBS, and was honored to be a speaker at the world famous TEDx Talks.

Born in Iran, Rahmein moved to the United States with his family at a very young age. He currently resides in Northern Virginia. Rahmein won Comedy Kumite 4.2 (winter 2016) at the DC Improv, as well as two Kumite Tournaments of Champions (fall 2016 and summer 2021).

YouTube Special: Live From Helium (2022)

Instagram: @personofcomedy

Justin Um is an American-born Korean with a natural ability to connect and engage with various audiences through his unwavering happiness. He describes his style of clean comedy as "empathetic humor", which is exhibited by his love and genuine affection for people. He focuses on sharing his unique experiences as a second-generation immigrant through his insightful perspective, self-deprecating honesty, and positive crowd interactions. Justin has hosted for Ian Bagg, Geoffrey Asmus, Matt Fulchiron, Irene Tu, and Ahmed Al-kadri.

Instagram: @justinumcomedy

Dee Ahmed is a stand up comedian from Arlington, VA. A natural goofball, he's molded his unique comedic voice that’s insightful, affable, and hilarious. He has quickly become a regular at shows all over the DC area, from open mics in dive bars to comedy festivals, including The 202 Comedy Festival, Charm City Festival, Pittsburgh Comedy Festival, Cinderblock Festival, and What a Joke: A National Comedy Festival. Dee won Comedy Kumite 34.1 (summer 2022) at the DC Improv.

Instagram: @deewasjoking

Benny Nwokeabia recently performed at the Netflix is a Joke Festival and has been making audiences laugh across the country with his sharp crowd work and multicultural perspective. Born in Washington DC to Nigerian and Ethiopian parents, raised in Geneva, Switzerland, and fluent in four languages, Benny brings a truly global lens to the stage — with punchlines that hit in any time zone. Benny won Comedy Kumite 39.2 (June 2023) in the DC Improv lounge.

Instagram: @realbennyy

President Lincoln’s Cottage (official website) is an historic site and museum located in the Petworth neighborhood in Northwest Washington, D.C. President Lincoln’s Cottage first opened to the public in February 2008. It is the only place the public can experience the history of Abraham Lincoln’s public and private life where he lived and worked for over a quarter of his presidency.

While in residence at the Cottage, Lincoln visited with wounded soldiers, spent time with self-emancipated men, women and children, and developed the Emancipation Proclamation. The human cost of the Civil War surrounded him, undoubtedly impacted his thinking, and strengthened his resolve to challenge the status quo. Through innovative guided tours, exhibits and programs, we use Lincoln’s example to inspire visitors to take their own path to greatness, and preserve this place as an authentic, tangible connection to the past and a beacon of hope for all who take up Lincoln’s unfinished work.