Bio

I remember the first time my heart starting beating faster, an instant grin formed from ear to ear & I realized I was holding my breath……I was 7 years old and in Darien, Illinois.  My Mom was helping with our local High School production of ‘Annie Get your Gun’.  There were two girls that played the role of Annie.  They both took this little pig-tailed, freckled face girl into their arms the minute they saw me.  Whoever wasn’t performing that night sat crossed legged in the stage right wings with me in their lap.  The music started and……my heart starting beating faster, an instant grin formed from ear to ear & I realized I was holding my breath.  I was hooked!  I didn’t know it then, but it was the beginning of this amazing dream I am living.

I started performing in high school and loved every last minute of it.  I have the fondest memories of the fall plays & the springtime musicals.  And a huge thank you has to go out to my high school drama teacher, Miss Pamn Baker.  I wouldn’t be pursuing this dream without you!  Then I drove 52 miles west for 4 years studying acting at Northern Illinois University.  I won’t bore you with all those memories because they would all be inside jokes and I would be the only one laughing.  But what amazing years of learning from all my professors & my amazingly talented friends.  A special shout out goes to Mr. Gene Terruso.   He truly was my first acting mentor!

I graduated from NIU with a BFA in Acting and moved to the Windy City.  I rented an apartment a block from Wrigley Field and was ready to start auditioning.  I did just that.  I performed in little black box theatres for the next 6 years working three jobs at times to support myself.  I was having more fun than I had ever had.  I had thought about moving to Los Angeles for years and finally made the leap of faith and I have never looked back.  (Except for missing my family, best friends and hometown, Chicago)

I booked my first television role on ‘Gilmore Girls’ in 2001.  Guess what happened the moment I walked onto my first soundstage?  My heart starting beating faster, an instant grin formed from ear to ear & I realized I was holding my breath.  I played a maid and had one line.  Two words to be exact.  ‘Excuse Me’.   And I will never ever forget that day.  Next came Big Love, True Blood and my first role on a Pilot, Lost & Found.

Then in 2009, the creators, casting directors and writers of ‘The Middle’ made this little girl’s dreams come true.  I portrayed the recurring character, Nancy Donahue and seriously had the time of my life.  What’s next for me?  I am so excited to find out but the one thing I do know for sure is…..

My heart still beats faster, an instant grin still forms from ear to ear & I still hold my breath just like that little pig-tailed, freckled faced girl.  What could be better?