I am the daughter of noted actor/director Charles Haid (Hill Street Blues) and actress Penelope Windust. I grew up in the film and television industry, working with producers like Steven Bochco and Mark Frost, and became a high school theatre arts teacher in Silicon Valley, California. I hold a BA from Vassar and an MA in Theatre from San Jose State. 

I created Cupertino Actors Theatre, an award winning program at Cupertino High, since 2003, where I was 2018 teacher of the year. You can see and experience the influence of my students, or legends, as I call them, everywhere from Broadway to ACT to shows on network television. 

I am a screenwriter, playwright and writing teacher whose live performance work has been featured in Play On Words and Dragon Theatre Productions, among others. My work explores power at the intersection of gender dynamics and the intellectual journey.  I formerly blogged about best practices in educational theatre and lead workshops as well as mentor educators in creating powerful ensemble environments for students. 

I am a stage director working in the emerging field of intimacy direction, which brings together the elements of my practice as a theatre maker. 

I ask my students and actors to work in truth, and provide a creative world where they can be seen and feel safe.