Arts Academy Podcast

Victor Varnado is a producer, filmmaker, comedian, writer, and cartoonist. Victor’s work as a series creator has generated iconic firsts and cult hits like Comedy Central’s “The Awkward Comedy Show” a comedy concert film that helped introduce the world to Eric Andre and Hannibal Buress. Also, “Realm of LARP” a documentary series distributed by Nerdist continues to be one of the most beloved productions delving into the world of live-action role-playing. Cartoons created by Victor have appeared in The New Yorker and MAD Magazine.

Dr. Jay Stern Dr. Jay Stern is the Head of the Department of Film and Television at Rider University. He is also actively involved in the arts community, working at The Iron Mule Short Comedy Film Festival. Dr. Stern's academic journey includes studying at The European Graduate School, focusing on Germanic Languages at Columbia University, and attending Vancouver Film School. He hails from Birmingham, Alabama, and is a graduate of Mountain Brook High School. Currently, Dr. Stern resides in New York, New York.