Maher story
Skip to top of page
Maher's Story
Comedy Club helps build self-esteem in youth
“I was trembling before I got on stage - I looked out at the crowd, which was more than 500 people, and thought ‘I can’t do this,’” says Maher Latif as he thinks back on what it felt like before performing his stand-up comedy act at United Way’s Spirits of Gold event.
“But as soon as I had that first laugh from the crowd I thought okay I can do this and I started going through my material and really having fun with it.”
At just 14 years old Maher has become an accomplished stand-up comedian. He has performed at the University of Calgary, the Laugh Shop, was a highlight at this years United Way Spirits of Gold gala event and will be performing at this years Youth of Distinction Awards at the Calgary Zoo.
But he admits it took awhile to build up the confidence to do this.
“At first, I had no interest in comedy. My dad told me he signed me up for an after school program. When I heard it was how to do stand-up comedy I tried to run the other way,” he says.
‘Live! Comedy Club’ was the program Maher joined. It is part of Teen Zone, a project supported by community partners. UpStart, the City of Calgary, Burns Memorial Fund and United Way want to ensure kids have quality after-school opportunities.
The program was started by Trent McClellan and Chris Gordon, who are both professional stand-up comedians. “Humour is not really recognized in school. The most you see are the class clowns, and that’s what I was. Chris and I thought there was a way to put that humour to good use so we started ‘Live! Comedy Club.”
“Being able to get up in front of a crowd and make people laugh is not easy. But it really helps these kids - not only do they work on their writing and presentation skills but it also increases self confidence,” he says.
Maher’s dad Aleem was hoping it would do just that. “Maher was shy and I thought this program would help bring him out of his shell a bit more. It’s been such a positive experience – it allows him to just be himself and feel confident,” he says.
Maher says the program taught him about tone, body language, microphone and speaking techniques, as well as writing by himself and writing as a group. “We brainstorm a lot. Trent and Chris help build our ideas and you feel confident in what you’re writing because they are confident in it.”
But he never thought he would be performing to a crowd of more than 500 people. “That was stressful for me - I just kept thinking, how can I get out of this. The only challenge bigger is performing in front of my whole family, but I am starting to over come that because my Dad keeps inviting them.”
Maher says he’s not sure if he’s going to become a professional stand-up comedian, right now he’s just having fun. “I think I will either become a comedian or a veterinarian, one of the two.”
For more information on ‘Live! Comedy Club’ visit, www.calgaryteenzone.com
© 2010 Upstart
© 2010 Upstart