November 12

DIVORCE DIARIES

DIVORCE DIARIES

Michelle Traina is a performer, educator and creator of the one-woman comedy show “Divorce Diaries.” Known for her onstage energy and physicality, Traina created “Divorce Diaries” in 2013. The act has evolved into a show that traces the “beautiful mishaps” of a divorced mom who “teaches kids with special needs and dates men with special needs,” according to Traina’s biography at www.micheletraina.com.

The show includes a host of colorful characters, culled from Traina’s own experience moving back home with her parents and grandmother following her divorce. Traina said finding the need to talk — and eventually tell jokes — about her divorce experience formed the genesis of “Divorce Diaries.”

The act is a mix of stand-up, improvisation and sketch comedy that includes crowd participatory segments such as “Who Argued It Best?” in which Traina presents both sides of a legal argument. She is sometimes joined on stage by an audience member as the audience decides “who argued it best.”

Taking the show on the road, she has performed “Divorce Diaries” across the country at venues such as Caroline’s on Broadway in New York City; Funny Bone Comedy Club in Albany, New York; Zanies Comedy Night Club in Chicago; and Broadway Comedy Club in New York City, where she performs monthly. The biweekly virtual edition of “Divorce Diaries,” created during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been featured on “The Wendy Williams Show,” shown primarily on Fox TV affiliates, as well as the American Bar Association and numerous law firms, according to Traina’s online biography.

Prior to “Divorce Diaries,” Traina said she toured the country performing everything “from stand up to Shakespeare.” A New York University graduate with a master’s degree in educational theater, Traina founded Propbox Players, a theater company for young audiences geared toward inclusion and performance for diverse learners, in 2013. She performed her previous one-woman show, “How to Be A Successful Teacher,” throughout her native tri-state area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut) and the act was part of the United Solo Theatre Festival in New York City in 2012.

Divorce Diaries is also a television series currently in development. The television series is a take on Michele’s life filmed as a mockumentary by her best friend and fellow comedian Doug Bass, who is the only feature and improv partner in the show. The series examines Michele’s personal side and the professional side running up against the same challenges, competing for time, sharing self-doubt and criticism, and providing the overall drive which moves her life forward in a positive direction.

11/12/2021 6:00 PM
Other Showtimes

Divorce Diaries is a mix of stand up, improv, and sketch comedy. Audience favorite segments include: “Michele Does Her Exes,” where audience members get to meet the infamous cop, coach, and younger guy who all had a special place in Michele’s heart even though they didn’t realize they were in a relationship with her and “Who Argued it Best” where litigation gets unruly as Michele argues both sides of the question in a 30-second to one-minute bit based on a topic given to the audience with the audience serving as judge and jury.

Doors open 1 hour prior to showtime.

Michelle Traina is a performer, educator and creator of the one-woman comedy show “Divorce Diaries.” Known for her onstage energy and physicality, Traina created “Divorce Diaries” in 2013. The act has evolved into a show that traces the “beautiful mishaps” of a divorced mom who “teaches kids with special needs and dates men with special needs,” according to Traina’s biography at www.micheletraina.com.

The show includes a host of colorful characters, culled from Traina’s own experience moving back home with her parents and grandmother following her divorce. Traina said finding the need to talk — and eventually tell jokes — about her divorce experience formed the genesis of “Divorce Diaries.”

The act is a mix of stand-up, improvisation and sketch comedy that includes crowd participatory segments such as “Who Argued It Best?” in which Traina presents both sides of a legal argument. She is sometimes joined on stage by an audience member as the audience decides “who argued it best.”

Taking the show on the road, she has performed “Divorce Diaries” across the country at venues such as Caroline’s on Broadway in New York City; Funny Bone Comedy Club in Albany, New York; Zanies Comedy Night Club in Chicago; and Broadway Comedy Club in New York City, where she performs monthly. The biweekly virtual edition of “Divorce Diaries,” created during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been featured on “The Wendy Williams Show,” shown primarily on Fox TV affiliates, as well as the American Bar Association and numerous law firms, according to Traina’s online biography.

Prior to “Divorce Diaries,” Traina said she toured the country performing everything “from stand up to Shakespeare.” A New York University graduate with a master’s degree in educational theater, Traina founded Propbox Players, a theater company for young audiences geared toward inclusion and performance for diverse learners, in 2013. She performed her previous one-woman show, “How to Be A Successful Teacher,” throughout her native tri-state area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut) and the act was part of the United Solo Theatre Festival in New York City in 2012.

Divorce Diaries is also a television series currently in development. The television series is a take on Michele’s life filmed as a mockumentary by her best friend and fellow comedian Doug Bass, who is the only feature and improv partner in the show. The series examines Michele’s personal side and the professional side running up against the same challenges, competing for time, sharing self-doubt and criticism, and providing the overall drive which moves her life forward in a positive direction.