The Real Reason Garcia Does Community Theater In Criminal Minds

Penelope Garcia certainly dresses as though she has some artistic acumen, but given her chosen profession, viewers may not immediately assume she spends her free time rehearsing plays. As it turns out, it's a great way to unwind, and the reason Garcia has the hobby is that actress Kirsten Vangsness is an accomplished performer onstage in the real world. She's been involved in theater from a very young age, starting out when she was just a kid to overcome shyness (via Matt Pomroy). It proved to be a fruitful endeavor, as she soon made a name for herself within acting circles in Los Angeles, landing the role of a lifetime as Penelope Garcia on "Criminal Minds."

Vangsness hasn't forgotten her roots on the stage, as she continues to be active in the theater community, including being a playwright. She wrote a play titled "Cleo, Theo & Wu," which premiered at the Theatre of Note in Los Angeles. But it isn't always easy juggling between the two mediums. While laymen may assume it's all just acting, she explained to Neon Tommy how it has its share of challenges: "It's the practice of learning to adjust. When I'm at work, sometimes I've talked too loud and the sound guy's like, 'Kirsten, why are you talking so loud?' and then sometimes when I'm acting [on stage] people go, 'Why are you whispering?'"

She's been staying busy. In the aftermath of "Criminal Minds," Vangsness put up a different play in L.A., according to an interview she did with Parade. Her greatest performance yet may still be to come.