Beginning

I’m a fourth-generation city-mouse, born and raised in a rural Illinois “city”, (pop. 3,600, go figure), in a family that loved music and theatre, yet valued safety and security more. I was the awkward, giggly, rambunctious, little sister with a bad mullet to a teenage waif-like homecoming queen who resented my existence. That never stopped me from wanting to be just like her, which proved to be training ground for actors’ routine rejection.

I sang every chance I got. I still have the recording of me singing Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star, age two, with full-on hiccups. Still one of my best performances. I proved my perseverance because I never missed a beat and am always right on pitch.

Middle

My deep desire to live up to my family’s values led me to abandon my dream of studying musical theatre, a decision I would regret for years to come. Instead, I earned a Speech Communications degree from Southern Illinois University, a top ten party school in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest – at least I had my priorities straight.

Within four months of graduation: I moved to Indianapolis, got married, and worked for a fancy law firm – set in mahogany offices straight out of “THE FIRM.” I became a paid soloist in a Presbyterian church choir with a congregation as large as my hometown.

Over the next decade, I divorced, twice, actually, had a very successful career, even created my own consulting company. But I quickly realized: THIS IS NOT THE LIFE I WANT. So, I gave up trying to blend in choirs and started aggressively pursuing my own voice.

I married a third time (it is the charm) and set the stage for a couple kids, a dog, a cat and an SUV in a gorgeous 1920’s house on New Jersey Street? with a built-in swing-set, and an annual tradition of lighting lanterns down the sidewalk every Christmas Eve. Oh, and, simultaneously, my husband and I raised $63 million to create an 8-mile bicycle trail downtown Indianapolis.

Two unsuccessful IVF’s and a miscarriage later, left me wondering: Now what? I had veered off the beaten path to become a healthier vessel, even a yoga instructor. So, why not try owning a yoga studio? Total disaster. I had no idea what I was doing, except clearly ignoring the obvious: BE AN ARTIST.

I sold the studio and started writing, producing and performing my own solo cabaret shows. I met Faith Prince at a workshop at Yale, who became one of my closest mentors. My show “La Vie, L’Amour” was a top-five best seller at the Indy Fringe Festival and I was named “Best Cabaret Act” by Indianapolis Monthly magazine. Faith directed “This is U.S.,” which toured from St. Louis to Chicago to 54 Below. I was hooked.

Now

I moved to New York to attend the Neighborhood Playhouse to master my craft and pursue my dreams. I’ve trained with renowned teachers Karl Bury, Patsy Rodenburg, Bob Krakower, and Lesly Kahn, to name a few.

During the pandemic, my husband, a former theatre producer, and I produced Grounded, a one-woman play by George Brant. I performed six sold-out socially-distanced nights in an outdoor theatre. I seamlessly transitioned to film playing juicy roles in multiple award-winning indies that have been sweeping the festival circuit.

In Affliction, a short film slated for an early Fall release, I played a child psychologist struggling to make peace with her violent past and use it to help her client avoid a similar fate. I also played a dream role: TRACY in Sweat. I love playing underestimated fighters with guarded vulnerability.

My favorite day off is being outdoors: cycling, skiing, and hiking around the world and working off enough calories to not feel an ounce of remorse for lingering over a gourmet meal accompanied by dark chocolate and French rosé. Or walking my 13-year-old yellow Lab, Charlie, along the Hudson River, listening to Tim Ferriss’ latest revelation or Oprah on how to be more…Oprah. Or just binge watching TCM.

This city-mouse has found her true home. The years of sacrifice were well worth the joy of finding and becoming and aligning with my two-year-old still singing “Twinkle, twinkle, little star. How I wonder what you are.” [hiccup]