We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Herman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria, how did you come up with the idea for your business?

Our goal was to create a weekly comedy show for people who wanted to laugh but didn’t want the club environment. To that end my partner and I created a niche market for ourselves providing PG13 TV Clean stand up comedy that was open to pretty much all ages and wasn’t geared around having to sell alcohol. It worked. We were the only comedy show willing to be clean, and we were able to stay in business because of our attention to booking comedians who were really funny. Subsequently after more than 12 years we have a loyal following because the formula works.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I was first on stage when I was about 5 years old, and it was clear the stage was meant for me. I”ve been a dancer, singer, actor and MC and worked in full time radio for more than 10 years before I even thought about stand up comedy. I’d never even been to a Comedy Club! I have a natural sense of humor and a friend suggested I try a stand up comedy class. I liked the stage work but I really couldn’t stand the teacher. He was so awful, he even made me cry. Who does that? But I wouldn’t quit. I would not be defeated!! I ended up taking the class more than once and then slowly started TEACHING THE CLASS alongside that same instructor. You just never know right? We are still very good friends. As a stand up comedian the biggest lesson I have learned is that the audience votes if you’re funny, and the easiest way for me to be funny is just be myself. I spent a lot of years ‘trying’ to be funny, before I was AS funny on stage as I am in real life. My friends were very supportive and I always appreciated them tell me ‘You’re still funnier off stage’. Getting beyond that point took how ever long it was going to take and I’m so grateful for the journey.

I’ve been lucky enough to perform Internationally at Clubs and Festivals, and performing for the troops in Afghanistan is one of the highlights of my career.

Booking the comedians for our show has also been fantastic. I have the honor of watching so many comedians perform, and I get to decide who’s a good fit for us. It’s been a real pleasure to see some comedians really take off – especially Taylor Tomlinson. Even at a teenager it was easy to see she had chops and was going places. That’s been one of the highlights. Im really honored to have a front row seat in people’s careers. I’m so grateful.
In 2023 the Union Tribune featured Comedy Heights as one of the top 19 shows in the Greater San Diego County (Several of the brick and mortar clubs in the city were not included).

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well I would definitely put Comedy Heights at LeStats on the schedule! Our show is a favorite for visitors from all over the country, so our 5 Star rated show a ‘must do’. During the day I like taking visitors for a walk along Mission Beach or at the tide pools in Point Loma when the tide’s out. It’s just so California. I love how Liberty Station has undergone so many changes over the years and it’s a primo destination. The Market Place is super fun for eats and drinks, plus there’s fun shopping there too. And one of my favorite things to do is going to the movies at THE LOT where you you can kick back in the recliner seats and they serve you full meals and drinks. Yasss!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My partner Al Gavi is amazing! We’ve stuck true to our goals from the outset and that’s made it super easy for us to stay on track and together we’ve created a really successful show. There would be no Comedy Heights without both of us working in tandem to make it happen.

Website: www.comedyheights.com

Instagram: @comedyheights

Linkedin: @comedyheights

Twitter: @comedyheightsSD

Facebook: @comedyheights

Yelp: comedy heights

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKhtagVyDbIe9teCg68cYGQ

Other: We are on google also .. lots of people give us ratings there.

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