Trained on a Fulbright Grant to the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, Barbara’s New York theatre work began with Joseph Chaikin’s famed production of AMERICA HURRAH and includes the American premiere of Harold Pinter’s LANDSCAPE & SILENCE, David Mamet’s WATER ENGINE at the Public Theatre and on Broadway, Neil Simon’s BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS on Broadway, the National Tour of BROADWAY BOUND, and off Broadway AN EVENING WITH SYLVIA PLATH at the Sheridan Square and ENTER THE NIGHT by Marie Irene Fornes at the Signature ON 42ND STREET.
Regional standouts are BECKY SHAW, SIDNEY BECHET KILLED A MAN, and BLUE WINDOW all at South Coast Repertory, LONG DAYS JOURNEY INTO NIGHT at Dallas Theatre Center, SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR at Williamstown, DEATH OF A SALESMAN at San Diego Rep and THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAN at Geffen Playhouse.
Film highlights are WALKING TALL, CURLEY SUE, and Peter Greenaway’s TULSE LUPER SUITCASES. In the 2012-2013 season she stars as Jessica Lange’s Mother Superior in multiple episodes of AMERICAN HORROR STORY .
Other favorite TV roles include MAD MEN, GLEE, COLD CASE, ER, CSI, CSI: NY, a season on FALCON CREST playing Jane Wyman’s doctor, an earlier season on CAGNEY AND LACEY as Captain Samuels wife, but is most recognized by the public for fifteen years as Australian Jane Jax on GENERAL HOSPITAL.