Jana Allen, who has performed in 32 films and/or TV programs, has finished filming in Atlanta for the new “Dynasty,” a TV series that debuted in 2017.
Allen, a 1999 graduate of Alleghany High School, landed her first reoccurring role in episodes 102 and 108 of the “Unabomber” series.
Her first speaking role was in “Psychic Witness: Why My Child,” a role in which she helped the police track down the murderer of her roommate.
She portrays a doctor in “Dynasty,” the first time she has performed in the role of a physician.
Having graduated from Liberty University in 2003 where she received a bachelor’s of science degree in communications, she gained experience as a TV reporter by completing an internship at a television station in Norfolk.
From there, she traveled to New York City where she completed a two-year Misner technique of acting stint at the William Esper Studio in Manhattan.
She has been cast as a reporter in several films, and she has landed roles and performed at such theatres as Cape Fear Playhouse in Wilmington, N.C., the North Theater in Danville and the Historic Stonewall Theatre where she made her debut as a 6th grader in “A Musical Tribute to the Railroad.” She sang “Buttons and Bows.”
The first Hollywood film she performed in was “The Bleeding,” and her role called for her to abduct Michael Madsen by gunpoint and escort him into a taxicab.
Allen returned home to perform in “Gift from a Yankee,” a docudrama in which she portrayed a Confederate Lt. Colonel’s wife who becomes a widow during the War Between the States.
The filming was done in the Alleghany Highlands, and by the time she returned to film in her hometown area, she had performed as a pregnant Amish wife in “The Shunning,” a Hallmark movie directed by Michael Landon, Jr.
She has also been cast as a preacher’s wife in “Righteous Gemstones,” an airline attendant in “Eastbound and Down,” and a reporter in “The Hollow.”
The lead female role that she landed in “Remember Yesterday: A Wilmington Love Story,” has yet to be released.
She also landed the lead female role in “Your Worst Nightmare,” a TV series in which she was murdered by an abusive man.
Other roles have been in “Creep Show,” and she has performed in a Super Bowl commercial with All-Pro linebacker, Luke Kuechly of the Carolina Panthers who retired in 2019 due to several concussions suffered during his nine year career in the NFL.
As for a vocalist, she is a member of The Virginia Opry, and she has opened shows for Bruce Allen, Keith Bryant and Charles Billingsley.
Also, she has performed as a vocalist at El Cid on Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles, at the Mountain Art Center in Prestonsburg, Ky., Natural Bridge Historic Hotel and Conference Center’s Washington Hall, at the Dandelion Festival in White Sulphur Springs and at The Historic Masonic Theatre.
She has recorded “Home Sweet Home, Virginia,” the official theme song of The Virginia Opry.
Currently, she serves as a member of Appalfolks of America Association’s Board of Directors where she continues to be the spokesperson for The Virginia Opry.
Allen, a member of SAG/AFTRA, lives in Snead’s Ferry, N.C., and Doug Bahrns, her husband who is a VMI graduate, is a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps who is stationed at Camp LeJeune, in Jacksonville, N.C.
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