Julia Stiles, 43, is an actress best known for her roles in the film “10 Things I Hate About You,” four of the five “Bourne” action-thriller movies and TV’s “Dexter.” She directed the romantic drama film “Wish You Were Here,” which opens Jan. 17. She spoke with Marc Myers. 

I was 11 turning 12 when I first performed in a play with adults. It was Ridge Theater’s “Jungle Movie,” a fringe spoof of 1930s jungle films produced at a small New York space.