Met actor Aaron Eckhart at BYU, who would later play leading roles in several of his films

Received a literary fellowship to study at the Royal Court Theatre in London

Became an established playwright with such productions as "Filthy Talk for Troubled Times" and "A Gaggle of Saints"

Directed debut feature "In the Company of Men," a controversial look at male bonding in a corporate setting; first film with Aaron Eckhart

Helmed second feature (also scripted), the equally controversial look at marriage and relationships "Your Friends and Neighbors"

Made NYC debut as playwright with "Bash: Latter-Day Plays," a set of three short plays (Iphigenia in orem, A gaggle of saints, and Medea redux) featuring Calista Flockhart (made West End debut in 2007)

Helmed the black comedy "Nurse Betty" starring Renée Zellweger in the title role

London stage directing debut, "The Shape of Things"

Directed and co-wrote the screen adaptation of "Possession"; third collaboration with Aaron Eckhart

Directed Liev Schreiber in the play "The Mercy Seat"; one of the first major theatrical responses to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks

Adapted his play "The Shape of Things" into a feature film, starring Paul Rudd and Rachel Weisz

Scripted the Off-Broadway play, "Fat Pig," about a slim male office-worker who falls for an extremely overweight librarian

Wrote the Off-Broadway play, "Some Girl(s)"

Directed Nicolas Cage in "The Wicker Man," a remake of Robin Hardy and Anthony Shaffer's 1973 thriller

Wrote the Off-Broadway play, "Reasons to Be Pretty" starring Piper Perabo

Helmed the feature, "Lakeview Terrace" co-starring Samuel L. Jackson and Patrick Wilson

Made his Broadway debut when "Reasons to Be Pretty" moved to the Lyceum Theatre; earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Play