title: Eileen DeSandre
text: # Eileen DeSandre
  
  Eileen DeSandre is an American stage actor and a member of the Actors' Equity Association. Known for much of her career as a character actor in the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon, she has more recently taken lead roles in a variety of theaters. She has an M.F.A. in acting from Pennsylvania State University, and a B.A. in French and theater from Seton Hill University.
  
  ## Recent roles
  
  * 2020. Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Becoming Dr. Ruth, Orlando Shakes, Orlando, FL.
  * 2019. Bella Sacker, Fragments, Rogue Theater Company, Ashland, OR.
  * 2014. Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Becoming Dr. Ruth, Virginia Repertory Theatre, Richmond, VA.
  * 2013. Miss Helen, The Road to Mecca, Profile Theater, Portland, OR. This role earned her critical acclaim and a Drammy Award for Actress in a Lead Role.
  * 2012. Louise, Private Lives, Rubicon Theatre, Ventura, CA.
  * 2011. Mom, Spin Cycle, Innovation Theatre Works, Bend OR.
  * 2011. Joan of Arc, Joan of Arc at the Stake (Jeanne d'Arc au bûcher), Oregon Bach Festival, Eugene, OR.
  * 2010. Nurse, Romeo and Juliet, The Riverside Theatre, New York, NY.
  
  ## Oregon Shakespeare Festival roles
  
  * 2015. Verges, in Much Ado About Nothing
  * 2009. Brighella, Ensemble in The Servant of Two Masters
  * 2009. Bertha Katz in Paradise Lost (play)
  * 2008. Flute in A Midsummer Night's Dream
  * 2008. Madaniḱā in The Clay Cart
  * 2007. Mme. Pernelle in Tartuffe
  * 2007. Gertrud in On the Razzle
  * 2006. Emilia, Ensemble in The Winter's Tale
  * 2006. Speed in The Two Gentlemen of Verona
  * 2005. Sasha Smirnoff in Room Service
  * 2005. Holofernes in Love's Labor's Lost
  * 2004. Dr. Pinch, Ensemble in The Comedy of Errors
  * 2004. Della in The Royal Family
  * 2003. Monica Reed in Present Laughter
  * 2003. Juliana Tesman in Hedda Gabler
  * 2002. Popilius Lena and Clitus in Julius Caesar
  * 2002. Aunt Meme in Saturday, Sunday, Monday
  * 2001. Heidi in Fuddy Meers
  * 2001. Andromache in Troilus and Cressida
  * 2000. Nurse Preen in The Man Who Came to Dinner
  * 1999. Go-to-Hell Kitty in Chicago
  * 1999. Mrs. Helseth in Rosmersholm
  * 1998. Mrs. Candour in The School for Scandal
  * 1998. Maria Vasilyevna in Uncle Vanya
  * 1997/98. Maddalena Guarneri in the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Kennedy Center productions of The Magic Fire
  * 1997. Amira in Pentecost
  * 1996. Emilia in The Winter's Tale
  * 1996. Bessie Berger in Awake and Sing!
  * 1995. Maria in Twelfth Night
  * 1995. The Maid in Blood Wedding
  * 1994. Rhea in You Can't Take It with You
  
  ## Early roles
  
  DeSandre has also performed with Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, Theatre of East Carolina, Fulton Opera House, St. Vincent Theatre, Theatre for the New City, Promenade Theatre, and INTAR.
  
  