Perth Voice Interactive

PERTH student Shayla Keane has won the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s 28th Class Clowns grand final.

Class Clowns is one of the festival’s developmental programs, helping hundreds of young people develop their comedy potential with access to workshops and audiences, and cultivating the next generation of funny people and those with unique voices.

The Santa Maria College student says the inspiration for her comedy comes from travelling the world with her family and finding humour in everyday situations within different cultures.

“Culture is a big part of my life,” Shayle told the Herald.

She first entered the contest in 2022 and was a runner-up in the grand final, and says this year she was more prepared.

“In 2022 I had just started out in comedy.

“I was really nervous and had little confidence in myself as a comedian.

“In 2024 I had a lot more confidence, was less nervous and more excited to be on stage.”

Shayla was one of 11 finalists from around the country and walked away with a first prize of $1500, a $1000 workshop package for Santa Maria, as well as the Class Clowns trophy.

Shayla’s comedy routine occasionally references her “brown skin” as she has Indian/South African parents and she gently mocks some of the compliments from well-meaning peers, but says overall race has been “a positive influence on my life”.

“I don’t think I will be focusing on my race as part of my future comedy routines,” she said.

Shayla’s keen to grow a career as a stand-up comedian, but balances that with a desire to obtain a degree at university once she’s finished high school.

“I enjoy making people laugh and forget about their problems for a while.”

She plans on doing some open mic gigs around Perth in the near future but for the long term is considering a move to Melbourne to try out its comedy scene;, which is incredibly competitive but can help launch a career.

Class Clown’s former alumni includes Aaron Chen (Fisk, 2017 best newcomer award and 2019 director’s choice award at the Festival).

by MALAKAI LELIEVELD