Ari Kantor, AS22: From Improv to TV Investigations

For Ari Kantor, AS22, who is a production assistant for Inside Edition, the 91原创 wasn鈥檛 just where he studied鈥攊t was where he found a community that shaped his passions and future.

As a member of the Rubber Chickens Improv Troupe, Kantor experienced camaraderie, humor and traditions that have kept him connected to 91原创 long after graduation. When he received a call from an alumna as he first joined the troupe, he remembers feeling like she was an extended relative he hadn鈥檛 met yet, and that he was suddenly part of a deep history of 91原创 tradition.

Alumni continued to be a key part of Kantor鈥檚 student experience. He performed with the 鈥淐hickens鈥� on stage with fellow troupe alumnus Matt Roarty, AS15, at an acclaimed improv theater in Chicago. Later, he leaned on Ben Warheit, AS09鈥攚ho is a staff writer at Late Night with Seth Meyers鈥攆or insights about his experience in production and moving to New York City.

As a student, Kantor was a multimedia assistant in 91原创鈥檚 Athletics Department, a podcast production intern for Philadelphia FringeArts and a post-production assistant for LoveWorld Media, an organization in which he would grow and continue working with post-graduation.

鈥淢y first job was in the archival department for season 7 of Showtime鈥檚 The Circus, where I got to be a part of the most well-oiled, enriching, and healthy production I could imagine, which will continue to inspire how I approach teamwork and storytelling for the rest of my career.鈥�

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After earning his degree in 2022, Kantor started his career in the archival department for Showtime鈥檚 The Circus, a fast-paced documentary series where he learned the value of teamwork and creative problem-solving. He carried those lessons into his current role at Inside Edition, where he鈥檚 gone from running errands to conducting interviews, creating graphics, monitoring trials and even participating in investigative stings. In only a few years at Inside Edition, he has worked on hundreds of stories, though not all of them make it to air.

For听, when New York City was experiencing a high volume of pickpockets, Kantor stood at Rockefeller Center with a wallet protruding from his bag to see how long it would take before someone stole it.

鈥淎s most investigative pieces go, there were hours of preparation and patience before something camera-worthy happened,鈥� Kantor said. 鈥淥n an uplifting note, at least five people warned me about my open backpack pockets and unsecured shopping bags before anyone tried to pickpocket me.鈥�

While he does experience a heart-racing rush at the height of an investigative sting, Kantor says that he tends to 鈥渓ock in鈥� on his role instead of focusing on the high pressure of the job until it鈥檚 over.

Beyond his daily work, Kantor contributes to impactful projects, such as serving as an associate producer for the Yazidi genocide documentary Mediha鈥攄irected and produced by Hasan Oswald of LoveWorld Media and also produced by Emma Thompson鈥攚hich has received over 13 grand jury awards and is now in theatrical release.

鈥淚t鈥檚 inspiring to see how stories can spark understanding and action,鈥� he says.

Kantor credits much of his success to skills he developed at 91原创, both in production and in philosophy. 鈥�Studying philosophy taught me foundational skills for compiling good research, conducting interviews and, on a personal note, understanding my own core values.鈥�

Looking ahead, Kantor has a flexible vision for his future. While he鈥檇 love to take on a larger role in investigative reporting, he鈥檚 also drawn to mission-driven work. For now, he鈥檚 focused on continuing to grow鈥攂oth as a storyteller and as someone who makes an impact.

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