Allison Tolman returns to Dallas this fall to headline a first-ever fundraiser for the theater she helped found, Second Thought Theatre. Dubbed Second Thought State of Mind, the event takes place October 25 at Bridge Bistro, where the Emmy nominee and, now, Mindy Project guest star will join theater supporters for an evening of food, drinks and conversation.

Tolman was born in Sugarland, Texas, and earned a BFA in theatrical performance from Baylor. After graduating she moved to Dallas, where she helped launch Second Thought Theatre in 2004. In 2009, she was accepted into Second City's Conservatory Training Program and later went on to write and perform sketch and satire with several groups throughout Chicago.

Tolman, who is now headed for Hollywood, received the Emmy nod for her role as Molly Solverson on the FX hit Fargo. She will not return for the second season — a decision Fargo creator Noah Hawley called a "crime and a tragedy" — because it's set in 1979, and Tolman's character would be only 4 years old.

"Since leaving Dallas, my career has taken me from Chicago to Calgary to Los Angeles, but I couldn't be more proud to be coming back to my artistic hometown for this event," Tolman said in a release. "At its root, this business is about people, and I've been privileged to work with some of the best people I've ever known through Second Thought.

"In shoddy rental garages and tiny black box theaters, in makeshift dressing rooms and corner booths at loud bars, and on the sets we lovingly built ourselves while cursing quietly — in all these places we shaped this company while this company was busy shaping us. In the last year and a half I've been blessed with incredible good fortune which has turned my career toward television and film. But everything I know about being patient and hardworking, about teamwork and humility and loyalty and miracles — every single one of those things I learned in the theater.

"Second Thought was my most beloved theater. It will always be my home."

Tickets to Second Thought State of Mind: Allison Tolman are on sale now at 2TT.co. Each $50 ticket includes entry to the event, two drink tickets and a light dinner courtesy of Bridge Bistro. The evening begins with canapés at 6 pm, followed by a moderated Q&A with Tolman.