Washburn graduated from Reed College[1] and from New York University, with an M.F.A.

[2] Her plays have been produced in New York City by Cherry Lane Theatre, Clubbed Thumb, The Civilians, Vineyard Theatre, Dixon Place, and Soho Repertory Theatre—and elsewhere by American Repertory Theater, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, New Jersey's Two River Theater Company, Washington DC's Studio Theater, and London's Gate Theatre and Almeida Theatre.

[3][4] Her 2012 play Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play received a Drama League Award nomination for Outstanding Production and was praised by The New York Times as "downright brilliant.

[7] Washburn is a member of 13P,[8] an associated artist with The Civilians and New Georges, and an alumna of New Dramatists.

[4] Her work has been published in American Theatre magazine.