If you could play any role from a TV show or Film, what would it be and why?
There's so much good TV out there now. I tend to love comedic actors and characters because I'm floored by their skill. Comedy is hard. I'd love to do more of it.

What was your most challenging character to date and why? Is it your favorite?  If not, what is your favorite role to date?
I did a play where the other actor and I had to speak in Scottish accents, sing and accompany ourselves on guitar, create 27 different characters and run around the stage - literally - for two hours straight.  That was definitely the most challenging experience.

I think my favorite role was playing Irena Hasanovic in Tim Ruddy’s "The International" Off-Broadway in New York.  She was a Balkan farm woman who had lost everything in a tragic conflict. I cannot fully comprehend the depth of that kind of pain but as an actor she made sense to me. If that role illuminated anything, it was that when grief is profound, we as humans cope by putting on a brave face. It's how we survive.

What is your hybrid?
Julia Roberts and Kyra Sedgwick.

How did you get started? When was your first role as an actor?
I was 10 years old and the local high school was auditioning for The Sound of Music.  I was cast as Brigitta, the sassy one. Anyone who knows me would not be surprised by that.  Then I got the chicken pocks and gave it to two high schoolers who hadn’t had it yet. Thank goodness it’s only gone up from there.

Who is your favorite actor? The actor you would like to share the stage/screen with…
Olivia Colman and Jeff Bridges.  

What are you known for?
My directness and my weirdly cat-like hazel eyes.

Where are you from?
I was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but every six years we'd move back and forth between Milwaukee and Nashville. So I’m half Wisconsinite and half Tennesseean. 

Stupid human tricks?
I make baby-crying sounds.  And when I was growing up I created a barnyard of animal noises - mooing, clucks, baaas and oinks.  I’m an only child. We do weird things like that to keep ourselves entertained.