Ladies' Night Story Lab
An in-person writing workshop and storytelling lab to help you own your story after divorce -- in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The Person Who Speaks First Owns the Narrative
Storytelling & Writing Workshop
NEXT CLASS: March to April 2026 in Lausanne, Switzerland
Ladies’ Night gives divorced women the mic, puts their stories center stage, and shifts what divorce looks like.
In this workshop, we’ll focus on a piece of your divorce story — not your whole divorce, not your entire memoir. One small moment. One turning point. One micro scene.
We’re keeping this workshop intentionally small, with 4 women around one table. Every story gets space, attention, and is heard.
You bring the material. We help you shape it. You don’t just leave with a story, you leave more certain and unapologetic of yourself.
At the end of this class, you step on stage and grab the mic. The room goes quiet, and the women in the audience lean forward in their chairs. They laugh with you. They cry with you. And they applaud while you walk off stage to your favorite song.
Then we celebrate you and your story with an epic dance party – one of the best nights you’ll have in Lausanne.
There's Power in Owning Your Story
The Craft
Over 6 weeks, we’ll shape your story together with intention and care.
You’ll learn how to:
- Find the moment that wants to be told right now
- Turn memory into a vivid scene
- Cut what doesn’t serve the story
- Write about divorce without centering the story on your ex
- Revise until the story is clear and tight – with room to play
- Rehearse until your body believes it
The Room
Every week:
- You’ll bring new or revised writing
- You’ll read it aloud
- You’ll workshop live
Feedback is structured, thoughtful, and focused on the craft.
This is not therapy.
This is not a place to give life advice.
This is about writing.
It’s about learning how to hold a story carefully – your own and someone else’s..
The Stage
In the final weeks, we move from writing to performance.
You’ll explore:
- How you will tell your story (including reading, memorizing, or in between)
- Working with the mic
- Pacing and breath
- Stepping into the lights
By the end of the workshop, you’ll have a 5–10 minute story ready for the stage — and the experience of performing it.
What to Expect in this Workshop
Over six weeks, you’ll learn:
- How to generate story ideas and find the heart of your “Hot Mess”
- Story structure and revision (because all writing is rewriting)
- How to write with honesty, humor, and heart — without centering your ex
- Performance tips: reading, memorizing, or finding your own delivery style
- Building confidence, vulnerability, and community
Each week you’ll bring new writing to class, share it aloud, and give and receive feedback in a safe, supportive space. (We’ll align on feedback rules together.)
By the end of this course, you’ll have a 5–10 minute story ready for the stage.
Please note: While we are reserving spots on stage in the next Ladies’ Night Show for students of this course, performing in the show is not required. If you’d prefer, your story can be read anonymously on stage by someone else. 🙂
Course Details
- Dates: 6 weeks (2-hour sessions/week, mix of in-person and writing weeks where we won’t meet as a group)
- Location: Montchoisi area, Lausanne (10 min from la gare; 2 flights of stairs, no elevator)
- Format: In-person, small group around a big table where everyone gets a chair
- Schedule: Late afternoon or early evening, day and time finalized with the group
- Graduation show: Saturday, May 9th, 2026 in Lausanne
Next class starts in March
Stories Hit Differently When They're Written by Women
Why We're Teaching This
Writing and performing is scary. It’s also brave. And deeply transformative.
We know this because we’ve both stood on that stage ourselves.
In 2019, Laura took a stand-up comedy class and performed on stage for the first time — terrified and shaking, but supported by her teacher and fellow writers. That night changed something. It showed her how powerful it is to stand in front of a room and tell the truth in your own voice. That experience planted the seed for what would later become Dispatched Divorcée — and eventually, Ladies’ Night.
Since then, Laura has directed and produced multiple Ladies’ Night shows, guiding women from rough drafts to center stage.
Cathlene has been a two-time Ladies’ Night storyteller and has dedicated more than a decade of her career to helping people craft and share meaningful stories. Her experience on the Ladies’ Night stage was a turning point. At a time when she was struggling with confidence and job searching, sharing her raw and unapologetic story reconnected her to a version of herself that felt bold, alive, and fully present.
We hold collective experience in supporting dozens of women in showcasing their stories with compassion, comedy, and catalytic connection.
Together, we’ve experienced what happens when women are given structure, support, and a stage.
Story Lab is our way of intentionally recreating that container — a small, thoughtful space where writing is taken seriously, stories are held carefully, and stepping into the light feels possible.
We care about craft.
We care about community.
And we love watching what shifts when a woman tells her story in her own voice. — Laura & Cathlene
It's Time to Tell the Stories About Divorce We Didn't See Growing Up
What You'll Receive
- Weekly group writing classes and feedback — a supportive group to help make writing less scary and more fun
- Professional photos + video of your performance
- Visibility and promotion through Dispatched Divorcée
- 2 complimentary tickets to the show
Expectations
- Bring new or revised writing to class each week
- Be present and supportive of your classmates
- Plan for a few hours of writing between sessions
- Permit yourself to show up messy, vulnerable, and brave (I’ll be working on the story I’ll be performing, too)
Who is this class for?
- Divorced women ready to own their story
- Friends of divorcées who connect with the theme
- Anyone who’s never told their story on stage
If you’ve read this far, answer Tina Turner on your application form when asked if you read the description. 😉
Workshop Fees
We don’t want cost to be the barrier to telling your story, which is why we offer various payment options. You can choose the option that feels right for you — all seats include the full six-week workshop and spot in the show. Payments can be made via Twint, card, or cash once your spot is confirmed.
- Early Registration (CHF 450) – Discounted rate if you apply and confirm payment by 31 March 2026
- Standard Enrollment (CHF 950) – Registration closes after the first session
- One Sponsored Seat – For those who would love to join but need financial support. No questions asked — we’ll notify you if a spot is available
NEXT CLASS: March to April 2026 in Lausanne, Switzerland (dates to be confirmed).
Be Part of a New Generation of Women Who Are Not Afraid of Telling their Story
Register for the Next Session
Everyone Loves a Good Story
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need experience writing?
Nope. This class is designed for first-time storytellers — we’ll help you shape your story for the stage.
What if I’m terrified of performing?
That’s normal! You can read, memorize, or even ask someone else to perform your story.
Can I join if I’m not divorced?
Yes. While the theme centers on women’s divorce stories, you can join if you’re married, single, widowed, not-in-a-relationship, etc.
Is the class in English?
Yes. The workshop and show are in English.
Do I have to be a woman to attend this workshop?
Ideally, yes — this space is designed to amplify women’s stories of divorce. Applications from others are reviewed case by case.
How do the sponsored seats work?
A limited number of reduced-fee seats are available. You can request one directly in the application form.
We can't wait to hear yours 💌
About Dispatched Divorcée
Dispatched Divorcée is a global community helping women own their voice and confidently build the life they want after divorce.
Founded in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 2024, we bring women together both online and in person — starting in the city where our story began. Through retreats, resources, a shop, and live events, we make post-divorce life less lonely, less shameful, and a whole lot more joyful.
We believe: You’re not broken. You’re in-between.
