Jane Anderson's life journey began in the Bay Area of Northern California, where her father, an inventor and electronics engineer, was one of the pioneering entrepreneurs of Silicon Valley. Growing up amidst the innovative spirit of the region, Anderson's passion for the theater was ignited, driving her to pursue a career in acting.
After dropping out of college after two years, Anderson made the bold move to New York City to become a professional actress. Her big break came when she was cast in the New York premiere of David Mamet's "Sexual Perversity in Chicago", which ran for over a year and catapulted Mamet to fame.
As she continued to hone her craft, Anderson turned to writing and performing her own material in cabarets and comedy clubs. The early 1980s saw her relocate to Los Angeles, where she began to write for film and television, while also discovering her voice as a serious playwright.
Anderson's career as a film director took off in the late 1990s, courtesy of actor and producer Jodie Foster, who gave her the opportunity to direct the film adaptation of her play "The Baby Dance". The film received widespread critical acclaim and numerous honors and awards.
Throughout her illustrious career, Anderson's plays have been produced Off-Broadway and in theaters across the country, including the esteemed Actors Theater of Louisville, The McCarter Theater, Long Wharf, ACT, the Geffen Theater, and The Pasadena Playhouse. Her published plays include "Looking for Normal", "The Baby Dance", "Defying Gravity", "Smart Choices for the New Century", "Lynette at 3AM", and "The Last Time We Saw Her".
Anderson's most recent play, "The Quality of Life", premiered at the Geffen Playhouse and was directed by the playwright herself. When not working on new projects, Anderson resides in Los Angeles and Marin County in Northern California with her spouse, Tess Ayers, and their son, Raphael.
