writer
PERFORMER
director
filmmaker
comic
DIANA
YANEZ
SAG-AFTRA
Diana Yanez, a fantastically funny woman, is a charming and personable story teller....
— NY Theater Review
projects (current)
LATINA CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
Since 2013, the critically acclaimed "Latina Christmas Special" has been delighting audiences of all races and changing the narrative on American Christmases. This Off-Broadway hybrid holiday comedy blends stand-up with theatrical storytelling based on the lives of three comedian friends: Sandra Valls (Showtime's Latin Divas of Comedy and Real Women Have Curves, the Musical), Maria Russell (Emmy-nominated/Amazon Prime's, Jury Duty) and Diana Yanez (Margaret Cho's Sensuous Woman).
Bursting with laughs, music, escándalo (scandal), and you thought your holidays with the family were dramatic?! Three hilarious, touching, and surprisingly personal Christmas stories of holidays past performed by three acclaimed American Latina comedians.
"An instant holiday tradition!"
–Alegria Magazine
www.latinachristmasspecial.com
VIVA LA EVOLUCIÓN!
Winner of the New York International Fringe Festival 'Excellence in Solo Show' award, first-generation Cuban-American Diana Yanez makes 'mojitos out of the limones' of her life in this one-women comedy of misunderstandings, love, and growing up Cuban and queer in Miami. Now being developed as a multi-character musical with lyricist, Marjorie Duffield of the
Oscar-nominated animated film,
Over The Moon (Netflix).
"Critic's Pick!" –Time Out Magazine NY
PODCAST THEATER COMPANY
Podcast Theater Company, founded by Artistic Directors Marjorie Duffield and Diana Yanez, is dedicated to producing scripted audio pieces while championing inclusivity and diversity. As members of “Honor Roll!”, a grassroots movement advocating for increased representation of women+ playwrights over 40 and their allies, our mission is to shine a spotlight on seasoned artists whose voices deserve recognition.
Launching Spring 2025.
HURRICANE CAROLINA
A grumpy, prejudiced Cuban landlady accidentally takes magic mushrooms on the night a hurricane hits. As the storm rages, two Catholic saints and Jesus visit her, showing her the consequences of her mean-spirited ways through her past, present, and future. It’s A Christmas Carol - Latina-style with a divine-psychedelic twist!
Coming Spring 2025.
video
Diana Yanez is the creator behind the Off-Broadway hit Latina Christmas Special (also starring Maria Russell and Sandra Valls), a Los Angeles Times 'Critic’s Choice' since 2015 with ten sold-out seasons. Her solo show, Viva La Evolución, earned the 'Excellence for Solo Show' award at the New York International Fringe Festival and is in development for a multi-character musical with lyricist, Marjorie Duffield of the Oscar-nominated animated film, Over The Moon (Netflix). A first-generation American from Miami—the other Cuba—Diana is also a filmmaker, director, artist, and stand-up comic. She's toured with Margaret Cho, Cyndi Lauper, Rosie O’Donnell, and The Gay Mafia among others. Currently, Diana is Co-Artistic Director of Podcast Theater Company launching in Fall 2024. Diana serves on the Executive Committee Board of Honor Roll!, a grassroots advocacy group of 2000+ members for the increased representation of women+ playwrights over 40 and their allies, recently honored with a Lily Award for their impactful work.