Shanessa Sweeney

Shanessa Sweeney has been a professional actor, writer and spoken word artist for over 20 years. She started her career at Alabama State University where she earned her B.A. in Theatre Arts as a feature performer in The Slaves No More Troupe and going on to be a featured character in the movie Rustin, starring rock legend Meatloaf and Zachary Ty Bryant (Home Improvement). Her training at A.S.U. comprised of Frank Silvera and Vantile Whitfield’s method of Being. Shanessa went on to train in the acting conservatory at Brandeis University earning a terminal MFA degree in Acting. There she became versed in the Stanislavsky and Chekhov (Michael) methods of acting along with Meisner training as well as vocal methods of Kristian Linklater. Some of her stage credits include Into the Woods with Boston Repertory Theatre where she earned a membership into Actor’s Equity; Misterioso 119, (Berkshire Theatre Festival/Lark Theatre) directed by Tony-nominated director, Liesl Tommy; A Raisin in the Sun (Cincinnati Shakespeare Co.), Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike (CATCO).

Shanessa has been seen in national commercials for Roto-Rooter and Native Deodorant as well as Western and Southern and Lazy Boy Furniture. Her recent television credits include, $1 (CBS All Access), Mindhunter (Netflix), and as the nurse Janet in Netflix’s film Point Blank starring Anthony Mackie (The Avengers) and Marcia Gay Harden (Pollock and Code Black).

Shanessa is a published writer and was a commissioned and featured poet in “Ritualistas”, a Green Show at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. She is the first winner of the Last Poet Standing competition in Ohio and her original monologue, “36146 and Juanice” is published in the monologue book, New Monologues for Women by Women II. In addition to professionally performing for over 20 years, she has also been a teaching artist and acting coach for 20 years. Some of her students can be seen in popular shows and movies currently airing on major networks and productions. Shanessa became a proud member of the Screen Actors Guild in 2018 and is currently represented by PCG Talent.