Joan grew up on a working ranch in Western Montana. After graduating from Carleton College, She moved to Chicago to study Meisner technique with Lois Hall. She was asked to join the Huron Theatre acting ensemble during the remarkable growth and creative achievements of the 1980's Chicago theatre scene where she was fortunate to work alongside Laurie Metcalf, John Malkovich, Terry Kinney, and Gary Cole in Steppenwolf and Huron Theatre productions. In 2022, after a thirty-year hiatus to raise a family, she returned to her passion and has been acting professionally ever since having been cast in over thirty projects ranging from Indie shorts and features to commercials. Her work has been seen at Austin Film Festival, Holly Shorts, Fantasia, Slamdance, Cucalorus, and Seattle International Film Festivals to name a few. Joan trains at the Carol Hickey Acting Studio and is represented by Collier Talent Agency. She enjoys bee keeping and hanging with Ed, a magnificent rescued standard poodle... Adopt, don't shop.