Katherine Moennig preferred climbing trees and skateboarding to playing with tea sets as a tomboy growing up in Philadelphia, PA. Hence, she relishes the chance to make her television debut as the elusive Jake Pratt in "Young Americans," a girl masquerading as a boy at the all-male Rawley Academy.

The daughter of a Broadway dancer mother and a violin maker father, Moennig was primed to perform at an early age. She first stepped on stage at 10 years old in a Children's Theatre Workshop production of "Winnie the Pooh" and opted to expand the experience by writing and directing an improvised version of "Pooh" with a friend. The duo performed their original production at Philadelphia's Free Library.

She continued doing school productions before moving to New York and entering the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Within two months of graduation, she landed an apprenticeship at the prestigious Williamstown Theatre Festival and acquired a wealth of experience working behind the scenes. This year, during a second stint at Williamstown, she appeared in a production of Shakespeare's "As You Like It."

Moennig recently spent Thanksgiving in Toronto, having won a central role in a music video for the Canadian band "Our Lady Peace" just prior to landing her first television series with "Young Americans."

In her leisure time, the young actress enjoys sleeping late, spending time with friends and walking around New York City.