Danielle Surrette, an actress, writer, director and producer who helped found Sacred Fools Theater Company in Los Angeles, died July 1 as a result of a car accident in the desert north of the city. She was 30.

Ms. Surrette's current project was stage managing Sacred Fools' Sea Gull, a modern interpretation of the Chekhov play, and she was preparing to perform in the company's production of The Adding Machine.

She served on Sacred Fools' Artistic Committee and appeared in four mainstage productions there. She co-created, co-produced and co-wrote the company's late-night hit, Crime Scene, now in its second year.

Ms. Surrette was a graduate of Boston University College of Communications, where she earned a film and television degree. In New York City, she studied with Suzanne Shepherd, John Costopolis and Ada Brown Mater before moving to California.

Survivors include parents John and Sharon Surrette of Wall Township, NJ., brothers Kevin, Kyle and Steven, and a sister-in-law, Judy. A memorial will be held 8 PM July 13 at the Heliotrope Theatre, 660 N. Heliotrope Drive (between Normandie and Vermont) in Hollywood.

-- By Kenneth Jones