About the Author

Mary Lou Belli is the coauthor of The Sitcom Career Book, published by Back Stage Books. An Emmy Award-winning director, she has worked on Girlfriends, The Hughleys, Major Dad, and Charles in Charge, among many other shows. She is the mother of two children who act professionally. She lives in Los Angeles.



Dinah Lenney is an adjunct professor at UCLA's School of Theater, Film, and Television. An actor as well as an acting teacher, she is currently appearing on ER as the no-nonsense nurse Shirley. She lives in Los Angeles.