Michelle Kristine Best
Fresh from operating a billion dollar hedge fund- Michelle made the lucrative financial move into stand up comedy. As a widow who raised two girls in Times Square NYC, Michelle’s feminist humor lies just this side of sanity! Her first TV pilot was a finalist in the New York Television Festival & she spent 25 years teaching and improvising after gaining her MFA from the Actors' Studio .
Michelle Best (AEA- SAG- AFTRA) (IMDB) holds an MFA from the Actors' Studio at the New School University. Michelle raised two teenage daughters in Midtown Manhattan and developed "Just Breathe," a comedic series loosely based on her experiences surviving widowhood in NYC.
She created, wrote, directed, and executive produced "Halfway There," which became an "Official Selection Finalist" in the New York Television Festival. She was invited as a “Pitch-fest Official Artist,” making her a two time NYTVF alumna. (Click the above title to watch the Pilot.)
She guest starred with Wanda Sykes and Cynthia Nixon on "Alpha House", starring John Goodman, She is very proud to have guest starred on Amazon Prime's first original series.
As an improviser she has performed under the direction of Del Close (National College Comedy Festival, '96), Gary Austin (Groundling founder), Michael Gellman (Second City), and Ali Farahnakian (The PIT).
She plays an idol of hers, Kate Chopin in "The Awakening of Kate Chopin," (Click title for Sam French Article) a biographical play about the feminist writer by Rosary Hartel O'neil,
Michelle originated the role of "Sarah" in Dan McCormick's "How to Save the Life of Jimmy McCLintock", which premiered at the Actors' Studio. She develops new theatre through the Actors' Studio PD Unit.
Her leading Off Broadway role in "Women in the Pit" (as Rev. E. R. George), was AUDELCO nominated for "Dramatic Production of the Year", and "Outstanding Ensemble Performance." Her role as Ellie Blank in "Faith On Line" also received the same nominations through the Billie Holiday Theatre.
She produced and directed the sold out run of "Sheila and Angelo," a raucous comedy starring Dan Grimaldi for the 20th anniversary New York International Fringe Festival.
As Artistic Director of The Actor's Chapel, Michelle produced a benefit chaired by Lorne Michaels, hosted by Amy Poehler, honoring Chris Farley and turned the legendary Sardi's into a speakeasy. (You can read about it in the epilogue of "The Chris Farley Show" by Tanner Colby.)
Michelle volunteers as a frequent moderator for the non-profit SAG Foundation in NYC, and at the Professional Performing Arts School.
Listen to Michelle's latest news in this WDVR-FM "Let's Talk" interview from 9/27/21
| lets_talk_-_michele_best.mp3 |