Actor

Highsmith rehearses in a master class at the Ruskin School of Acting in Santa Monica. Her credits include small parts in such high-profile TV shows as “Boston Legal” and “CSI: New York.”  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Highsmith looks over photos of herself with agent Patty Vittoritto and her agent’s husband, Ron, in the couple’s North Hollywood home.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Highsmith waits tables at the Brentwood Restaurant and Lounge. Many actors take restaurant jobs, which leave them relatively free for auditions that arise on short notice.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

The hardest part of waiting tables, Highsmith said, is the awkward moment when she must take orders from people with whom she’s worked on sets. Here, she takes a martini shaker to a customer.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Relaxing at the Rose Cafe in Venice after a rehearsal. Right of Highsmith is her boyfriend, Maury Sterling, an actor whose credits include the film “Smokin’ Aces.” The pair will star in a two-person play, “Unbeatable Harold.”  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Highsmith, left, rehearses in a master class with Sarah Maine at the Ruskin School of Acting.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Highsmith tries on a helmet at Helen’s Cycles in Santa Monica. She bought a bicycle that day to to be more environmentally conscious, for exercise and to cut down on gasoline costs.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Highsmith and her agent review pictures of the actress. Head shots are usually updated several times a year.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)