Rather than continuing to study the dramatic arts, she attended the American College of Switzerland, a small college in Leysin from which she graduated with a bachelor's degree. Soon after, she moved to New York, taking day jobs as a waitress so she could work nights in the theater for little or no salary. Later, she moved to Chicago, where she joined the New Works Ensemble at the St. Nicholas Theatre. She was eventually cast in a Goodman Theatre production of "Curse of the Starving Class", directed by Robert Falls and co-starring John Malkovich.