Began to study ballet at age 5 and joined the Atlanta Ballet at age 12. Moved to NYC to pursue a dancing career but accompanied an actor/boyfriend to his audition at the Actor's Studio and was accepted herself (the youngest ever member).
Broadway debut in "J.B" (1958) after Elia Kazan discovered her at the Actor's Studio: later appeared in the Broadway productions of "Gypsy" (1959) & "The Night of the Iguana" (1961) originating respectively the roles of June & Charlotte Goodall.