She was awarded the 1997 Joseph Jefferson Award for Actress in a Principal Role in a Play for "A Streetcar Named Desire", at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.
Nominated for the 2007 Lucille Lortel Award for her performance in
"Sore Throats" (Outstanding Actress).
Appearing in "Heartbreak House" for the Roundabout Theatre Company in New York City. (November 2006)
Nominated for the 2004 Lucille Lortel Award for her performance in
"Frozen" (Outstanding Featured Actress).
Nominated for the 1997 Helen Hayes Award for her work in "Mrs. Klein" (Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production).
Won the 1995 Joe A. Callaway Award, for Best Performance in a Classic
Drama, for her work as Portia in "The Merchant of Venice."
Her parents were Latvian Americans (Americans who are of Latvian ancestry) - Brigita Svarcs and Janis Robins.