Biography

Shannon Esper is an actor and musician, currently appearing in the recurring role of Alana Dwight in Netflix's hit series Orange is the New Black.

Esper has guest starred on HBO's Girls and Law & Order: Criminal Intent (NBC). Esper's feature film credits include roles in Coming Up Roses (dir. Lisa Albright) and Open Five (dir. Kentucky Audley), as well as the David Chase film, Not Fade Away.

Esper filmed a role in the feature film, Small Engine Repair, opposite John Bernthal.

Esper received rave reviews for her portrayal of Avery in Gina Gionafredo's critically acclaimed play, "Rapture Blister Burn" at the Huntington Theatre. Esper made her Off-Broadway debut in The Talls at the Second Stage Theater. She also appeared in The Cherry Orchard and L(Y)RE.

Esper is a graduate of The William Esper Studio.

Esper is the lead singer/ front-woman of the highly acclaimed band, The Echo-Friendly-whose debut hit, Same Mistakes, was featured on an episode of Girls on HBO.
- IMDb mini biography by: Lori Swift