About Rhizome
Rhizome is a comedy production company founded on philosopher gilles Deleuze’s concept of “rhizomatic thinking,” encouraging creativity through varied backgrounds and experiences.
Combining over 25 years of experience in the comedy business with skilled visual artists, sound designers, and video producers, Rhizome Comedy strives to find new and existing artists looking to present their comedy in unique and eye catching ways.
An outgrowth of a record label that began in 2017, Rhizome has grown into a full fledged production company, creating and working on projects that have appeared on established platforms from Netflix to Amazon Prime, while still striving to find up-and-coming artists looking to produce comedy in inventive ways.
Jeremy Essig
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jeremy’s fascination with audio visual production began when he realized - along with two friends - that being the high school’s A/V coordinator meant they could skip classes. Two years later he was producing and mixing his first album on a Portastudio, a skill he would continue and refine through college.
Following graduation, his creative life took an abrupt turn leading to an almost twenty year career as a touring comedian. Looking for a life away from the road, he opened his first recording studio, Listless Sound, in St. Louis, MO.
Combining his two creative outlets, Jeremy started Helium Comedy Records in the fall of 2018, producing albums that repeatedly topped both iTunes and Billboard charts, building a reputation that allowed him to work on audio and film projects for major streaming services and networks.
Rhizome Comedy is the newest evolution combing his experience and passion for production and comedy.
Jeremy essig is a graduate of Wake Forest University, and a thesis and one very upset professor short of being a graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism. From 2018-2019 he also taught a graduate level course in audio production with an emphasis on podcasting at Webster University.
He was also a fictional character eaten by zombies in the Jonathan Maberry novel “Fall of Night".
Abigail FLynt
art DIRECTOR
Abigail Flynt is a designer and visual artist currently focused on integrating ceramics, DIGITAL ART, AND DIY electronics in her offbeat installation work.
she WAS AWARDED TWO north carolina ceramics RESIDENCIES IN 2021 + 2022 and has exhibited her work in numerous galleries and museums across the united states.
In addition to her work at rhizome, abby also produces small batch ceramics through her pseudonym, dirt clod.
AVIVA ROSENBAUM
PRODUCER | SET DESIGNER
Aviva Rosenbaum is a multimedia artist driven by endless curiosity. From textiles and jewelry, to painting and upcycling furniture, she is constantly exploring new ways to create something from nothing.
Her artwork has manifested in transforming spaces into immersive wonderlands, and crafting interactive installations for community arts and music festivals.
When she's not in the studio making art, she can be found behind the decks as a DJ and developing her skills in music production. Whether working with physical materials or sound waves, her passion lies in curating spaces that engage and inspire.
SCOUT SMITH
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Scout Smith is an actor, writer, and producer in the New York and Atlanta film communities. Scout dabbles in many roles both in front of and behind the camera through her production company, Get Your Cat On Productions.
You can catch Scouts’ work as a 1st AD on the feature film Withdrawal, In the Dark short, and series pilot Sink or Swam. She loves bringing queer stories to life and enjoys building community on set.
When she isn't on set she is performing any type of live comedy that excites her. From solo character performance, improv, or even silly tik toks Scout is inspired by comedy.
Avery vandenhouten
Video Editor
Avery Vandenhouten is an actor, writer and filmmaker based in Atlanta, GA with a passion for telling stories from all genres. She has held jobs in a variety of on set departments behind the scenes as well as performing on screen in over 100 short films.
In addition to her work for Rhizome, Avery has written and directed over 30 of her own scripts for events in the Atlanta film circuit such as Kick the Ladder and Dragon Con TV as well as producing films through her production company The Cinema Playground.
Avery loves to make people laugh, whether that's through films, improv or goofy commentary videos on her YouTube channel. When she isn't working she can usually be found crocheting and watching TV with her cats.