Comedy School

Level 2 Stand-Up with Rahmein Mostafavi

Take your comedy to the next level. Level 2 Stand-Up is for grads of our Five Minutes to Funny class, or relatively new comics trying to strengthen their sets and break into the scene. In this four-week program (finishing with a graduation performance in the Improv's lounge showroom) we'll dig deeper into your 5-minute set; work on strategies to hone it; and create new material based off it. Classes will also focus on joke-writing techniques, how to get booked, and the unsung secret to comedy success: becoming a sought-after host. Your instructor is DCI favorite Rahmein Mostafavi. An accomplished stand-up, producer, writer, and actor, Rahmein now joins our comedy school to help you ramp up your comedy game. So what do you say? Are you ready to get serious about your comedy career? Prerequisite: FMTF Class or at least 6 months of stand-up performance at open mics.

About the Instructor: Rahmein Mostafavi charms crowds with comic timing and charisma developed during a decade of live performance. He addresses social and political topics with a combination of satirical and observational comedy, leaving audiences with a greater sense of purpose, sex appeal and the occasional leg cramp.

Rahmein 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 produces events under the “Cool Cow Comedy” banner, bringing live comedy to venues in Maryland and Virginia.

Rahmein has shared the stage with some of the best comics in the nation, including Dave Attell, Jake Johannsen, Artie Lange, Bert Kreischer, Rich Vos, Jon Lovitz, Tim Meadows, Joe Matarese, Bob Marley, The Sklar Brothers, Jen Kirkman, Red Grant, Godfrey, Joe Torry, Kyle Kinane, Finesse Mitchell, and Maz Jobrani. He 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.

Other Showtimes

This show is SOLD OUT (or all available tickets are currently in online shopping carts). If you're hoping for last-minute availability, you are welcome to call our box office (202-296-7008).

Available: Saturdays, November 18 - December 9. (In-person weeks one, three and four; online individual coaching week two. Class runs 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.) Graduation show December 14 in the DC Improv Lounge.

Take your comedy to the next level. Level 2 Stand-Up is for grads of our Five Minutes to Funny class, or relatively new comics trying to strengthen their sets and break into the scene. In this four-week program (finishing with a graduation performance in the Improv's lounge showroom) we'll dig deeper into your 5-minute set; work on strategies to hone it; and create new material based off it. Classes will also focus on joke-writing techniques, how to get booked, and the unsung secret to comedy success: becoming a sought-after host. Your instructor is DCI favorite Rahmein Mostafavi. An accomplished stand-up, producer, writer, and actor, Rahmein now joins our comedy school to help you ramp up your comedy game. So what do you say? Are you ready to get serious about your comedy career?

Prerequisite: Five Minutes to Funny class or at least 6 months of stand-up performance at open mics.


All sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges.


Class Policies

  • Patrons must be 18 or older to attend events or classes at the DC Improv. Any exceptions are clearly noted in the event descriptions on dcimprov.com.
  • Participants in this class must be vaccinated against COVID-19 and produce proof of vaccination (such as a completed vaccination card) at the start of the first session. If you have any questions about this policy, please e-mail info@dcimprov.com.

Take your comedy to the next level. Level 2 Stand-Up is for grads of our Five Minutes to Funny class, or relatively new comics trying to strengthen their sets and break into the scene. In this four-week program (finishing with a graduation performance in the Improv's lounge showroom) we'll dig deeper into your 5-minute set; work on strategies to hone it; and create new material based off it. Classes will also focus on joke-writing techniques, how to get booked, and the unsung secret to comedy success: becoming a sought-after host. Your instructor is DCI favorite Rahmein Mostafavi. An accomplished stand-up, producer, writer, and actor, Rahmein now joins our comedy school to help you ramp up your comedy game. So what do you say? Are you ready to get serious about your comedy career? Prerequisite: FMTF Class or at least 6 months of stand-up performance at open mics.

About the Instructor: Rahmein Mostafavi charms crowds with comic timing and charisma developed during a decade of live performance. He addresses social and political topics with a combination of satirical and observational comedy, leaving audiences with a greater sense of purpose, sex appeal and the occasional leg cramp.

Rahmein 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 produces events under the “Cool Cow Comedy” banner, bringing live comedy to venues in Maryland and Virginia.

Rahmein has shared the stage with some of the best comics in the nation, including Dave Attell, Jake Johannsen, Artie Lange, Bert Kreischer, Rich Vos, Jon Lovitz, Tim Meadows, Joe Matarese, Bob Marley, The Sklar Brothers, Jen Kirkman, Red Grant, Godfrey, Joe Torry, Kyle Kinane, Finesse Mitchell, and Maz Jobrani. He 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.