How far back should we go?

I was a miserably whiny kid. With brutal frizz and a dangerous habit of hoarding stickers. After college, I wrote and performed at The Second City with cast-mates who are still some of my all-time comedy heroes. Just after 9/11, we got to write a show and perform for first responders from NYC. That night, there were hundreds of us laughing and crying together. Finding relief in our common vulnerability.

That’s my purpose in life and in art. To connect us all through our rawest truths. If I can lay all my frizzy fears out there on the stage or the page, maybe I can connect with someone who feels the same way. And we can laugh at ourselves.

Because what other choice is there, really?

Here are some “credits” for you:

I’ve written and performed at The Second City, The Upright Citizen's Brigade, HBO, Nick Jr., and NPR. I’ve also written six books: Miss You Love You Hate You Bye, All the Ways the World Can End, Breaking Free: True Stories of Girls Who Escaped Modern Slavery, Amen, Amen, Amen: Memoir of a Girl Who Couldn't Stop Praying, Kissing Snowflakes, Sanctuary, and the upcoming Solis, which I was honored to co-write with the phenomenal activist, Paola Mendoza.

My essays have appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Self, Jane, Elle, and one was adapted for the television series, Modern Love.

I’ve also been the voice for several cartoons and I co-host the Chucklepatch Comedy Show in New Jersey. I love performing improv at The People’s Improv Theater with Dion Flynn and Bethany Hall. Check out the events page for more comedy info!

I hope we can meet in person one day soon so I can compliment you on your innate kindness and we can share mustache advice. I live in New Jersey with my fabulous family and still have way too many stickers.