Joanna was born on October 31st, 1985, in the charming town of Catonsville, Maryland. Her journey in the world of acting began at a remarkably young age of nine, when she started performing in dinner theatre productions.
During her high school years, Joanna attended the prestigious Carver Center for the Arts and Technology, where she honed her acting skills by studying the craft. It was during her senior year that she landed her first significant role, playing Linda in the production of "Holiday". Prior to this, she had auditioned for every show but was never cast until her final year.
After high school, Joanna pursued higher education at the University of Maryland at College Park, where she majored in Theatre Performance with a minor in English. Her focus was on Shakespearean studies, and she immersed herself in the works of the renowned playwright. Throughout her college years, Joanna was an active member of various student groups, participating in comedy sketches, stand-up performances, and even writing and directing her own plays.
One of her notable achievements during this period was the creation of a found text play titled "Bringing it Home". She also directed several productions, including "Bus Stop", "Home at Six", and "The Vagina Monologues". Joanna's versatility and talent were further showcased through her work with the Catonsville Children's Theatre company, where she served as a director and choreographer.
Before graduating from college in May 2007, Joanna had already begun to make a name for herself in the industry, appearing in the film "New York City Serenade" in a small but significant role. As of November 2007, Joanna continued to work with the Children's Theatre company and also taught drama at her alma mater, Carver Center.
