Mara has enjoyed a multifaceted career as a talented actress, accomplished casting director, and knowledgeable teacher.
Notably, she is widely recognized for her work as a casting director, particularly for her role in casting the popular television series Gilmore Girls, alongside her partner Jami Rudofsky. Furthermore, she has been involved in the development of numerous pilots that, unfortunately, never came to fruition.
In 2008, Mara took the initiative to establish an actor's collective, which provided a unique and diverse range of acting and writing classes to professional actors. This platform featured industry professionals, including James Gunn, Danny Strong, and Wendi McClendon-Covey, who served as guest instructors or led classes. Some notable members of Mara's collective include Jerrika Hinton, Katie Lowes, Elizabeth Chomko, and Sean Gunn.
In 2017, Mara joined the faculty of the BFA Acting For Film and Television Department at Hussian College In Studio (formerly known as Studio School),where she serves as an adjunct professor.
Moreover, Mara's creative endeavors have extended to the world of playwriting, with three of her short plays being produced by Collaboraction Theatre's Sketchbook Series.
Throughout her career, Mara has maintained a split residency between Los Angeles and Chicago, allowing her to stay connected to the vibrant artistic communities in both cities.
