Sandro Hatibovic Brings Comedy Performance To Massapequa ASL Club

MASSAPEQUA, NY. — The punch lines were punch signs at Massapequa High School Friday, as comedian Sandro Hatibovic performed in front of more than 600 students from American Sign Language programs across Long Island in an event hosted by the Massapequa High School ASL Club.

Hatibovic was born in Bosnia, moving to Ohio and eventually finding success as a social media content creator. For his 90-minute performance in Massapequa, Hatibovic, who is deaf, told comedic stories through a combination of sign language and a voice interpreter. After the comedy wrapped up, Hatibovic took part in a question and answer session with students in attendance.

For Emilio Egher and Nicole Heller, co-presidents of the sign language club, the performance was an opportunity to broaden students’ understanding of what comedy can look and sound like, while also giving them a laugh.

“I hope that it gets more people aware of the fact that comedy doesn’t have to just
involve sounds and laughs, but people being together and enjoying each other’s company,”
Emilio said. “Sandro just seemed like a great fit for the students and whose comedy would
be well received.”

Both Emilio and Nicole have been learning sign language since ninth grade. For Nicole, the performance also served as an opportunity to promote sign language education among her peers. The study of sign language, she said, can help expose students to new perspectives.

“It’s a great program, a great community and it can become a big part of your life,” Nicole said.

In the eyes of Massapequa ASL teacher Melanie Smith, the performance gave students a valuable glimpse into what life is like using sign language every day.

“Sandro’s show was informative and inspiring as his stories, along with his sense of
humor, impacted the American Sign Language students,” Smith said. “It gave them an opportunity to gain an insight into what a deaf person experienced growing up as well as sharing various deaf culture stories and jokes.”