Kinney studied theatre at Nebraska Wesleyan University before moving on to New York University, and upon graduating she stayed in NYC in a bid to pursue her career in acting. She didn't start immediately on Broadway, but after several minor roles in regional productions, she landed a role on Broadway in the musical adaptation of "Spring Awakening" in 2008 after one of the cast members dropped out. In 2009, she went on the first national tour of "August: Osage County" starring as Jean Fordham, while she had also landed minor roles on-screen.