She studied acting at the Preparatory Theatre program of Drake University in Des Moines, performing with their traveling children's theater group throughout Iowa.

It was a New York Times pick for "Ten Best Plays of the Year", received The Dramatists Guild’s Hull-Warriner Award and was adapted by Lauro for CBS, starring Jane Alexander and Estelle Parsons.

In 2008 the play was honored by publication in Writing Through Literature, (by Anstendig and Hicks), where it joined works by Walt Whitman, Ionesco, Langston Hughes and Toni Cade Bambara in the book’s section, "The Lesson".

Shirley Lauro’s The Radiant enjoyed its World Premiere in March, 2011, at New Theatre, Miami, starring Angelica Torn as Marie Curie.

Clarence Darrow's Last Trial had its world premiere at New Theatre in Miami, receiving a Carbonell nomination for Best New Play of the Year in Florida, and an NEA Access to Excellence Enhancement Grant.

All Through the Night, Clarence Darrow's Last Trial and Speckled Birds were all published in 2010 by Samuel French, Inc., and honored by the Drama Bookshop in an evening, "Triple Play", composed of readings and a reception.

Other works include The Coal Diamond (“The Best Short Play” Anthology); Nothing Immediate (OOBA Festival Winner); Railing It Uptown; Sunday Go To Meetin' .