In New York City, Batten was a member of The Edge Theatre company, along with Mary-Louise Parker, Peter Hedges and Joe Mantello.
Off-Broadway, she co-starred with Julie Harris in The Fiery Furnace, and portrayed Connor Walsh on CBS's As The World Turns in 1997–98.
She guest-starred in sitcoms and dramas on ABC, CBS and Fox before she began her writing career.
Batten earned her MFA from Columbia University School Of The Arts in screenwriting and directing, and was the recipient of the Dean's Fellowship.
She wrote and produced the film Showing Roots starring Maggie Grace, Uzo Aduba, Elizabeth McGovern, Adam Broady and Cicely Tyson.