BRONX BEAUTY KERRY WASHINGTON MAKES HER WAY TO BROADWAY!

You're in rehearsals for "Race," which will be your Broadway debut on Nov. 19. Excited about that?
AIt's ridiculously cool. I grew up in the Bronx, and I wanted to do theater long before I wanted to be in a movie. I've never done Broadway before, but I had been longing to return to the theater. Originating a role in a play by David Mamet, a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, is just an incredible opportunity.

You, James Spader and David Alan Grier play lawyers. Richard Thomas is a client who is accused of assaulting a young black woman. Potentially explosive?

Yes. And without giving anything else away, I'll say that I'm enjoying the ride of it. Which includes the fact that Mamet is directing.

You're 32 now. You were performing on stage when you were 8. Was that a good experience?

Absolutely. I feel like I was really lucky to have started in theater. TADA! [Theater on W. 28th St.] was the first place that anybody told me to take out a notebook and to take notes of what the director said. I learned to be on time. More than anything, it taught me about a work ethic, the respect for fellow actors and the importance of consistency, preparation and teamwork. I built sets. I hung lights. It was a communal adventure. Film is collaborative the same way theater is. It was a really important foundation.