Raised on Long Island, New York

First incidence of Bell's Palsy at age 15 lasted a month

Second occurence of Bell's Palsy during junior year at Boston University interrupted her education

Left college to move to NYC to pursue acting

Made screen debut in Hal Hartley's "The Unbelievable Truth"

Played the lead in second Hartley film "Trust"

Co-founded Missing Children, a non-profit theater company; served as artistic director, actress; wrote original play "Verbatim"

Acted at the Joseph Papp Public Theater in New York in the production, "Food"

TV debut as leather enthusiast in episode of "Homicide: Life on the Street"

Made film directing debut with the 26-minute "Urban Legend"; also wrote screenplay

Feature writing and directing debut, "Sudden Manhattan"; also starred

Appeared in episode of CBS' supernatural fantasy series "Early Edition"

Helmed 30-minute "Lois Lives a Little," broadcast as part of Lifetime Network's program "The Lifetime Television Film Festival"

Wrote and directed second feature "I'll Take You There"; had supporting role and co-wrote song for film

Co-starred in the Off-Broadway production "Paradise Island"

Co-starred in the thriller feature "Revolution #9"

Co-starred with Matt Dillon in "Factotum" a film based on the novel by cult author Charles Bukowski

Wrote, directed and co-starred in the indie, "Waitress" starring Keri Russell as a southern waitress trapped in an unhappy marriage; film released after her death; earned an Independent Spirit Award Nomination for Best Screenplay