Monica Keena was born in New Jersey on 25 May 1979, and was raised in Brooklyn, New York. Her mother, Mary was a nurse and her father, Bill, was a financial sales manager. As a child, she was always drawing, painting, dancing, and signing.

Monica auditioned for acceptance into LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts at the age of thirteen. Although she chose the drama department as her preference, Monica was accepted in both the dramatic and the vocal arts departments. Soon after starting her classes at LaGuardia Monica played in her first role in a short film entitled "Burning Love,". She also went on to portray the character Bertha in a stage reading of Strinburg's "The Father," with Al Pacino.

She's had small roles in the films The Devil's Advocate and While You Were Sleeping, and starred in the films Strike, Ripe, and Snow White : A Tale of Terror.

Monica has appreared in numerous television and movie projects inclding the TBS Superstation Original Movie First Daughter, and Crime and Punishment in Suburbia, which appeared in the 2000 Sundance Film Festival. She has also appeared in the independent movies The Simian Line with Harry Connick Jr. and Lynn Redgrave, and A Fate Totally Worse Than Death with Julie Benz, and Jonathan Brandis.

She is also no stranger to television, having had a recurring role as Abby Morgan on Dawson's Creek and a starring role on the short-lived Undeclared as the college co-ed Rachel. Monica also had guest roles on series such as Law and Order, Homicide: Life on the Street, and Feds.

Before taking a break for new movies and television, Monica attended New York University as an English major. When she has a bit of extra time on her hands she likes to take writing classes, practice yoga, and enjoys reading. One of her favorite authors is William Faulkner. She is also a fan of the Bloody Chamger books by Angela Carter, and Metamorphisis by Franz Kafka. She likes hanging out with friends and says: "I don't do anything physical. I'm lazy." However Monica does enjoy roller skating with friends at Roller Rinks.

Some other things Monica has said she likes include Bob Dylan, the Police, and Tori Amos. Her favorite actress is Judy Garland, of whom she says, "Judy Garland is my favorite. I probably know all of her songs and have seen all of her movies."