I am forever grateful that I got some training in the theater - it reduces performance anxiety.

My grandmother took me to a lot of theater. I was exposed to performance quite a bit - everything from Broadway to off-Broadway and dance and music as well. I was very lucky that way. It was a very rich childhood.

In my early career, I look at that time as a series of trial and error and learning as I go.

Education is huge for me. I went to public school until I turned thirteen, and was lucky enough to afford college once I became successful as an actress.

It's fun to stay at the Y! M! C! A!

Education is huge for me. I went to public school until I turned thirteen, and was lucky enough to afford college once I became successful as an actress. I cannot believe that quality education costs as much as it does in this country. Ghetto Film School is a remarkable public high school in New York City where students get to learn to express themselves through filmmaking, and have hands-on access to equipment.

It's not my job to critique the writing. I'm there to serve it. I had to figure out a way to make it work.