# Diane Flacks > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Diane_Flacks > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Diane_Flacks.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diane_Flacks > Source revision: 1338775839 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Canadian comedic actress, screenwriter and playwright}} {{Use Canadian English|date=February 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2014}} {{Infobox person | image = | image_size = | name = Diane Flacks | caption = | birth_date = | birth_place = [Lachine](/source/Lachine%2C_Quebec), [Quebec](/source/Quebec), Canada | death_date = | death_place = | education = | occupation = Writer, actor | title = | spouse = | parents = | children = 2 | website = {{URL|https://www.dianeflacks.com/}} }} '''Diane Flacks''' is a Canadian comedic actress, screenwriter and playwright. == Early life and education == Flacks was raised in the [Jewish](/source/Judaism) faith. Her early education took place in Jewish [parochial school](/source/parochial_school)s.{{Cite web|url=https://www.intermissionmagazine.ca/artist-perspective/religion-open-women/|title=Is Religion Open to Women?|last=Flacks|first=Diane|date=2017-01-20|website=Intermission|access-date=2018-06-30}}{{Cite news|url=https://forward.com/sisterhood/133620/writer-and-actress-diane-flacks-on-how-it-gets-bet/|title=Writer and Actress Diane Flacks on How "It Gets Better"|last=Ghert-Zand|first=Renee|date=2010-12-03|work=Forward|access-date=2018-06-30}} Flacks studied drama at Leah Posluns Institute in [Toronto](/source/Toronto).{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0280817/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm|title=Diane Flacks Biography|date=2018|website=Internet Movie Database|access-date=2018-06-30}} At twenty seven years old, she came out as a lesbian. == Career == Flacks began her acting career as a child, in a touring production of ''Cinderella'' where she played both the wicked stepmother and fairy godmother.{{Cite news|url=https://nowtoronto.com/buddies/bad-times-buddies-diane-flacks/|title=Bad Time Buddies: Diane Flacks|date=2017-11-01|work=NOW Toronto|access-date=2018-06-30}} As an adult, she has worked in Canadian and U.S. television, radio, news, and film before becoming an independent performance artist, playwright, and writer. === Theater === It appears that Flacks started her official career in media with theatre. Flacks' early works include three one-woman stage shows that she wrote and performed herself: ''Myth Me'' (1991), ''By a Thread'' (1997),{{Cite web|url=https://www.dianeflacks.com/by-a-thread|title=By a Thread: Diane Flacks|date=2018|access-date=2018-06-30}} and ''Random Acts'' (1997).{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/1997/legit/reviews/random-acts-1117340116/|title=Random Acts|last=Friedlander|first=Mira|date=1997-12-20|work=Variety|access-date=2018-06-30}} She co-created the [Chalmers Canadian Play Award](/source/Floyd_S._Chalmers_Canadian_Play_Award)-nominated ''Theory of Relatives'' with [Daniel Brooks](/source/Daniel_Brooks), [Leah Cherniak](/source/Leah_Cherniak), [Richard Greenblatt](/source/Richard_Greenblatt_(playwright)), Leslie Lester, and Allan Merovit.{{Cite news|last=Chapman|first=Geoff|date=1994-03-08|title=One-man show in running for Chalmers play prize|page=F5|work=[Toronto Star](/source/Toronto_Star)|id={{ProQuest| }} }} She wrote ''Gravity Calling'' (1995) directed by [Richard Greenblatt](/source/Richard_Greenblatt_(playwright)),{{Cite web|url=http://www.tarragontheatre.com/show/gravity-calling/|title=Gravity Calling|date=2018|website=Tarragon Theatre|access-date=2018-06-30}} co-wrote ''Sibs'' (2000) with [Richard Greenblatt](/source/Richard_Greenblatt_(playwright)),{{Cite web|url=https://mqlit.ca/plays/sibs/|title=Sibs|date=2018|website=Marquis Literary|access-date=2018-06-30}} and wrote ''Waiting Room'' (2015) directed by Richard Greenblatt.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tarragontheatre.com/show/waiting-room/|title=Waiting Room|date=2015|website=Tarragon Theatre|access-date=2018-06-30}} In 2000, Flacks performed in ''Smudge'', a play in one act written by [Alex Bulmer](/source/Alex_Bulmer) and directed by [Alisa Palmer](/source/Alisa_Palmer).{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2000/legit/reviews/smudge-2-1200465900/|title=Smudge|last=Crew|first=Robert|date=2000-12-10|work=Variety|access-date=2018-06-30}} In 2009, Flacks wrote and performed in the play based on her book ''Bear With Me'', directed by [Kelly Thornton](/source/Kelly_Thornton_(director)).{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/toronto/article/Nightwood-Offers-Toronto-Premiere-of-BEAR-WITH-ME-17-20090107|title=Nightwood Offers Toronto Premiere of 'Bear With Me' 1/7|last=Lawrence|first=Mark Andrew|date=2009-01-07|website=Broadway World|access-date=2018-06-30}} In 2012, Flacks wrote the award-winning play ''Luba, Simply Luba'' for Ukrainian Canadian comedian [Luba Goy](/source/Luba_Goy).{{Cite web|url=https://nowtoronto.com/stage/theatre/luba-simply-luba/|title=Luba, Simply Luba: simply fine|last=Fein-Goldbach|first=Debbie|date=2012-05-17|website=NOW Toronto|access-date=2018-06-30}} In 2017, she wrote and performed in ''Unholy'' (2017).{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/stage/2017/01/19/unholy-a-passionate-debate-about-women-and-religion-review.html|title=Unholy a passionate debate about women and religion: review.|last=Maga|first=Carly|date=2017-01-19|work=The Star|access-date=2018-06-30}} Flacks has regularly performed at the [Tarragon Theatre](/source/Tarragon_Theatre) and the collective feminist [Nightwood Theatre](/source/Nightwood_Theatre) in Toronto.{{Cite journal|last=Scott|first=Shelley|date=1997|title=Collective creation and the changing mandate of Nightwood Theatre.|url=https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/tric/article/view/7129/8188|journal=Theatre Research in Canada / Recherches Théâtrales Au Canada|volume=18|issue=2}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/tarragon-theatre/|title=Tarragon Theatre|last=Garebian|first=Keith|last2=Kareda|first2=Urjo|date=2008-09-03|website=Historica Canada|access-date=2018-06-30}} She served twice on the Nightwood Theatre board of directors. === Film === Flacks' best known performance is in the leading role of the lesbian film ''[Portrait of a Serial Monogamist](/source/Portrait_of_a_Serial_Monogamist)'' (2015).{{Cite web|url=https://taggmagazine.com/portrait-of-a-serial-monogamist/|title=Portrait of a Serial Monogamist: A Coming-of-Middle-Age Film We Can All Relate To|last=Salazar|first=Jade|date=2016-02-09|website=taggmagazine|access-date=2018-06-30}} Prior to this, Flacks had performed as the main character's guardian angel in the sex comedy ''[Too Much Sex](/source/Too_Much_Sex)'' (2000).{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0216292/|title=Too Much Sex|date=2018|website=Internet Movie Database|access-date=2018-06-30}} === Television === In the 1990s Flacks wrote for ''[The Kids in the Hall](/source/The_Kids_in_the_Hall_(TV_series))'' and was twice nominated for an Emmy for her work. Flacks began acting on television in 2001 in the comedy series ''The Broad Side''. She has co-written and starred in numerous television series since then, including ''[P.R.](/source/P.R._(TV_series))'', ''[Behind the Scenes](/source/Behind_the_Scenes_(U.S._TV_series))'' and ''[Listen Missy](/source/Listen_Missy)''. In 2016, Flacks wrote six episodes for the ''[Baroness Von Sketch Show](/source/Baroness_von_Sketch_Show).''{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4919930/fullcredits|title=Baroness Von Sketch Show|date=2018|website=Internet Movie Database|access-date=2018-06-30}} She has also acted in episodes of ''[Walter Ego](/source/Walter_Ego)'' and ''[Moose TV](/source/Moose_TV)''. === Writing === In 2005, MacMillan Stewart published Flacks' first book ''Bear With Me'', about Flacks' personal experience with pregnancy and new motherhood. In 2007, Flacks became a featured columnist with the ''[Toronto Star](/source/Toronto_Star).'' === Radio === Flacks is a regular contributor for the [CBC Radio](/source/CBC_Radio) show ''[Definitely Not the Opera](/source/Definitely_Not_the_Opera)''. For almost eight years she has also worked as a CBC Radio National Parenting columnist.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dianeflacks.com/radio|title=Diane Flacks: Radio|date=2018|website=Diane Flacks|access-date=2018-06-30}} == Recurring themes == In her own works, Flacks explores themes of Jewish identity, the relationship between women and religion, lesbian relationships, pregnancy, serious medical issues, and motherhood. ==Awards and honours== * 1994–1995 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Variety or Music Program for the television show [''The'' ''Kids in the Hall''](/source/The_Kids_in_the_Hall){{Cite web|url=http://www.emmys.com/bios/diane-flacks|title=Diane Flacks|website=The Emmys|access-date=2018-06-30}} * 2014 [Kobzar Literary Award](/source/Kobzar_Literary_Award) in collaboration with [Andrey Tarasiuk](/source/Andrey_Tarasiuk) and [Luba Goy](/source/Luba_Goy) for the play ''[Luba, Simply Luba](/source/Luba%2C_Simply_Luba)''{{cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2014/03/06/luba_goy_wins_kobzar_literary_award.html |title=Luba Goy wins Kobzar Literary Award |work=The Star |author=Leslie Ferenc |date=March 6, 2014 |access-date=May 28, 2014}} == Personal life == Flacks was married to [Janis Purdy](/source/Janis_Purdy) and is now divorced. They have two children. Her older son received a Jewish education.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/tapestry/reconciling-religion-and-sexuality-1.4291548/lesbian-actor-and-orthodox-rabbi-address-the-elephant-in-the-room-1.4291566|title=Lesbian actor and Orthodox rabbi address the elephant in the room.|date=2017-09-15|work=CBC Radio|access-date=2018-06-30}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.interfaithfamily.com/relationships/gay_relationships/same-sex_interfaith_and_procreating/|title=Same-Sex, Interfaith and Procreating|last=Goldberg|first=Susan|date=2012-03-12|website=Interfaith Family: Supporting Interfaith Families Exploring Jewish Life|access-date=2018-06-30|archive-date=July 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701072154/https://www.interfaithfamily.com/relationships/gay_relationships/same-sex_interfaith_and_procreating/|url-status=dead}} ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * {{official website|http://www.dianeflacks.com}} * {{IMDb name|0280817|Diane Flacks}} {{Kobzar Literary Awards winners}} {{authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Flacks, Diane}} Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Living people Category:Canadian stage actresses Category:Canadian television actresses Category:Canadian women dramatists and playwrights Category:20th-century Canadian screenwriters Category:Jewish Canadian screenwriters Category:Jewish Canadian actresses Category:Canadian lesbian actresses Category:Canadian lesbian writers Category:Lesbian Jews Category:Canadian women screenwriters Category:People from Lachine, Quebec Category:Actresses from Montreal Category:Comedians from Montreal Category:Canadian LGBTQ dramatists and playwrights Category:20th-century Canadian dramatists and playwrights Category:20th-century Canadian women writers Category:21st-century Canadian dramatists and playwrights Category:21st-century Canadian women writers Category:20th-century Canadian actresses Category:21st-century Canadian actresses Category:21st-century Canadian LGBTQ people Category:Canadian lesbian comedians Category:Canadian women comedians Category:21st-century Canadian screenwriters Category:Canadian LGBTQ screenwriters Category:Lesbian screenwriters Category:Lesbian dramatists and playwrights Category:Screenwriters from Montreal --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Diane Flacks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diane_Flacks) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diane_Flacks?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.