Hollywood ? It’s been a decade since Amanda Peet landed her first significant role in an episode of “Law & Order” as a kidnapping victim who falls for her abductor. And five years since she proved herself to be a deft screwball comedian in the mold of Carole Lombard with her performance as a goofy hit woman in “The Whole Nine Yards.”

Since her breakthrough movie, the 33-year-old Peet has been working nonstop in dramas (“Changing Lanes”), thrillers (“Identity”), indies (“Igby Goes Down”) and, of course, comedies (“Something’s Gotta Give”).

Peet, who studied acting for four years in New York with the late Uta Hagen, can be seen in Woody Allen’s latest film, “Melinda and Melinda,” as a documentary filmmaker married to a struggling actor (Will Farrell). She also appears opposite Ashton Kutcher in the romantic comedy “A Lot Like Love” — her first film as the solo female star.

And Peet’s just winding up her acclaimed engagement at New York’s Public Theater in “This Is How It Goes,” Kansas University graduate Neil LaBute’s new play about an interracial love triangle.

Q: Is it true that you went into “This Is How It Goes” at the last minute after Marisa Tomei left the production?

A: I came in six days before we opened for previews. I imagine it is what people feel like when they jump off a plane. Not that I am sure because I have never jumped out of a plane.

Q: But I’m sure working with director George C. Wolfe and your costars Jeffrey Wright and Ben Stiller helped.

A: They were wonderful; they really were. George was great because he never seemed panicked. I don’t think we even read the last scene in the play until the day before previews. We kind of read it and blocked it and the next day we performed.

Q: Did you think back to your days training with Uta Hagen?

Actress Amanda Peet plays a documentary filmmaker married to a struggling actor in Woody Allen's film Melinda

A: I thought about her a lot. I bought her book again because I didn’t have it here. I packed so quickly I didn’t bring it with me. There were a couple of things that were really relevant from the class for the play.

I have to pinch myself when I go through the revolving door at the Public and I go up to the dressing room. I have been thinking a lot about Diane Keaton (her costar in “Something’s Gotta Give”) because the stage I am on is where they originated “Hair.” I am walking on the boards that Diane Keaton danced on.

Q: In “A Lot Like Love,” your character, Emily, really evolves over a seven-year period — her hairstyles, attitudes, lifestyle. What specific aspect of Emily drew you to the part?

A: The hairstyles! . . . I loved the script. I thought it was really kind of charming, and when I saw (director) Nigel Cole’s movies, I thought that he would be a good match for the script. I think he has a really good kind of barometer for cheesiness, being British.

Q: Just as in “The Whole Nine Yards,” this movie allows you a chance to do a lot of physical comedy.

A: I was begging (Cole) to let me trip more.

Q: Why do you like to do pratfalls?

A: I don’t know. I think, maybe, I am trying to sort something out about myself personally.

Q: When you worked with Woody Allen on “Melinda and Melinda,” did he give you the entire script or just pages for the scenes you were in?

A: I only got the scenes I was in.

Q: Did that make it difficult to figure out your character’s purpose in the movie?

A: I have a tendency to overthink and analyze everything. For me, coming to a play six days before it starts or only getting my scenes that I was in was sort of a good thing for me. It is really freeing.

Q: Do you want to do more plays?

A: I called my agent and said I need to do another play but really quickly. I am feeling that I am just getting over my stage fright, so I want to go back really quickly. I don’t want to relearn how not to be self-conscious.