<P> Rosa `` Miss Rosa '' Cisneros is a fictional character from the Netflix dramedy series Orange Is the New Black , played by Barbara Rosenblat . The character made her first screen appearance during the premiere episode titled `` I Was n't Ready '' , which aired on July 11 , 2013 . Stephanie Andujar portrayed `` Young Rosa '' in flashback sequences . Rosenblat originally auditioned for another character but producers asked her to portray Miss Rosa . The character is a cancer sufferer who is incarcerated in Litchfield federal prison because she committed armed bank robberies . Rosenblat did not want to shave her head for the role and a make - up artist was hired to fit a prosthetic appliance to her head creating the character 's baldness . The application process took three hours , meaning that the actress had to arrive on set earlier than other cast members . Initially there was no character biography created for Miss Rosa and it was Rosenblat who implemented a Hispanic background and accent . The character is respected amongst fellow inmates and despite her criminal past she has a caring nature and good heart . </P>
<P> Rosa `` Miss Rosa '' Cisneros is a fictional character from the Netflix dramedy series Orange Is the New Black , played by Barbara Rosenblat . The character made her first screen appearance during the premiere episode titled `` I Was n't Ready '' , which aired on July 11 , 2013 . Stephanie Andujar portrayed `` Young Rosa '' in flashback sequences . Rosenblat originally auditioned for another character but producers asked her to portray Miss Rosa . The character is a cancer sufferer who is incarcerated in Litchfield federal prison because she committed armed bank robberies . Rosenblat did not want to shave her head for the role and a make - up artist was hired to fit a prosthetic appliance to her head creating the character 's baldness . The application process took three hours , meaning that the actress had to arrive on set earlier than other cast members . Initially there was no character biography created for Miss Rosa and it was Rosenblat who implemented a Hispanic background and accent . The character is respected amongst fellow inmates and despite her criminal past she has a caring nature and good heart . </P>
who played rosa in orange is the new black
who played rosa in orange is the new black
Barbara Rosenblat
Barbara Rosenblat