Following her high school graduation in 1938, she went to New York, shortened her name to "Teresa Wright", and was hired as understudy to Dorothy McGuire and Martha Scott for the role of Emily in Thornton Wilder's stage production of Our Town at Henry Miller's Theatre.
Efter at have taget sin High school-eksamen i 1938 rejste hun til New York, ændrede sit navn til "Teresa Wright" og blev ansat som dubleant for Dorothy McGuire og Martha Scott i rollen som Emily i Thornton Wilders opsætning af Our Town på Henry Millers teater.