Karen McFarlane is a talented, erudite, funny actress who brings a deep range of expression, verve and personality to any role.  From humble beginnings in The Bronx [long before Jenny From the Block was born] she attended the Bronx High School of Science, the University of Wisconsin [majoring in Communications] and Teachers College, Columbia University where she obtained a Masters Degree in Special Education. She taught elementary school in NYC for 8 years. She then obtained a J.D. degree at Brooklyn Law School and spent over 30 years appearing as a trial lawyer in the courts of New York City. She also was a Small Claims Court judge, frequently surrounded by court officers in full body armor to protect her from combative litigants!  She studies acting at HB Studios, most recently with Academy/Tony/Golden Globe/Obie award nominees/winners Mercedes Ruehl and Austin Pendleton, as well as others.  

​

She has appeared in independent films and in off-Broadway productions, including two appearances at the NYC Fringe Festival. A passing remark that she always wanted to be a "spear carrier" at the opera resulted in her performing with American Ballet Theatre at the Met for the past 13 years, dodging flying swords in "Romeo and Juliet," errant borzois in "Giselle" and presenting the infant "Sleeping Beauty" to the audience.

​

After breaking her leg the first time she went skiing, she progressed to competing in slalom and giant slalom ski racing. She most recently won gold medals in her division in March 2021 at the Nastar National Ski Championships at Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado.