actor. writer. teacher.
"a radiant mirth and a surprising depth" - New York Times
"the quicksilver Cespedes delivers it thrillingly" - Helen Shaw, Vulture
"her chemistry with everyone in the production has you longing for her when she's not around." - Theater Mania
"a 'find.'" - DC Theater Scene
Helen is a New York-based actor, writer, and teacher acclaimed for her versatility and “radiant” stage presence in both classic and contemporary plays. On Broadway, she appeared in Michael Grandage’s production of The Cripple of Inishmaan. Off-Broadway, her standout performances include Fefu and Her Friends and Timon of Athens at Theatre for a New Audience, Spain at Second Stage, Paul Swan is Dead and Gone with The Civilians, and The School for Scandal with Red Bull Theater. Her regional credits span renowned theaters such as the Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Guthrie, The Old Globe, Hartford Stage, Two River, and The Goodman.
Her favorite on screen credits include playing Attorney Maldonado on Law & Order, acting opposite Jeff Goldblum in Search Party, wearing vintage Dior on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and being directed by Stephen Soderbergh in The Knick.
Helen graduated magna cum laude from Barnard College with a BA in Comparative Literature and trained as an actor at The Juilliard School, where she was awarded the John Houseman Prize. She wrote and starred in the short film The Decision, which premiered at the Big Apple Film Festival.
Helen has served on the adjunct faculty at NYU Tisch, guest lectured at Fordham, and is a frequent volunteer at the 52nd Street Project. She continues to explore new storytelling avenues through her work for stage and screen.
Her favorite on screen credits include playing Attorney Maldonado on Law & Order, acting opposite Jeff Goldblum in Search Party, wearing vintage Dior on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and being directed by Stephen Soderbergh in The Knick.
Helen graduated magna cum laude from Barnard College with a BA in Comparative Literature and trained as an actor at The Juilliard School, where she was awarded the John Houseman Prize. She wrote and starred in the short film The Decision, which premiered at the Big Apple Film Festival.
Helen has served on the adjunct faculty at NYU Tisch, guest lectured at Fordham, and is a frequent volunteer at the 52nd Street Project. She continues to explore new storytelling avenues through her work for stage and screen.
