Garbiras's professional stage acting career began in the chorus of a performance of "La traviata" at the Opera San José in San Jose, California. She also appeared in a production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" at De Anza College in Cupertino, California. Later, whilst living in Paris, France Garbiras appeared in small productions in that city playing the roles of Marie in "Night Games" and of Pamela in Peter Nichols's "A Day in the Death of Joe Egg" – both of which were staged at the tiny, 120-seat Theatre Clavel on the Rue Clavel. She also appeared as Roxanne in "Bajazet" at the Théâtre de la rue Olive.