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Work

Valerie is a multi-talented performer whose work has spanned decades.  Below are just some highlights of Valerie's work.  For more information, click below.

Vocalist

As a vocalist, Valerie has an extensive playlist & project repertoire.  Her album POTPOURRI is a mixture of jazz, blues & spoken word and has been very well received.

She also has created five music series, WOMEN OF THE VILLAGE, SWEET & SALTY: DRESSED TO THE NINES, THE MUSIC & TIMES OF NINA SIMONE, FOUR WOMEN: NINA SIMONE, and finally NINA SIMONE & HIP HOP.

 

The first, WOMEN OF THE VILLAGE celebrate common voices of American, South African & Cuban women.

 

The second SWEET & SALTY: DRESSED TO THE NINES is a tribute to classic Blues Singers.

 

The last 3 works… THE MUSIC & TIMES OF NINA SIMONE, FOUR WOMEN: NINA SIMONE and NINA SIMONE & HIP HOP, are all tribute concerts dedicated to the world-renowned musical icon Dr. Nina Simone.

Performing Artist

Valerie toured nationally for nine years, as lead actor with the award-winning UNDERGROUND RAILWAY THEATER and other touring theater companies.

 

After 15 years, returned to theater stage in COMPANY ONE’S controversial production of NEIGHBORS in the character role of Mammy Crow.   

She also created a solo play named THE MAMMY DIARIES.

In 2018, Valerie returned to the theatrical stage in the MARBLEHEAD LITTLE THEATER heart wrecking production of LETTERS FROM WAR in the lead role as Mae, a 75-year-old woman suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

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Storyteller

As a storyteller, Valerie Stephens has performed throughout New England for three generations of audiences. She has been contracted to research, present and/or perform historical event productions for the BOSTON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM, the BOSTON MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, the BOSTON SCIENCE MUSEUM, the SPRINGFIELD ARTS MUSEUM, and the CAMBRIDGE CULTURAL COUNCIL.

 

She created a six-week workshop series, THE ELDER STORYTELLING PROJECT, which helps elders to develop their performance skills as Storytellers.  MOTHER & FATHER WIT: LIFE

 

LESSONS has been celebrated by multi-generational audiences.

 

Valerie also created a touring production company for the Boston area. She has served as Artist Consultant to the CITI CENTER FOR THE ARTS’ youth programming, training young artists to be community storytellers & researching the history of Boston's diverse neighborhoods.
 

Arts Educator

As an Arts Educator, Valerie teaches creative dramatics, play writing & improvisational theater technique to learners ages 5 to adult in schools and organizations throughout Massachusetts.

 

She has developed & taught three middle school courses focusing on Boston’s 19th Century Women in Medicine & Public Health Methodology for “GIRLS GET CONNECTED,” a program affiliated with SIMMONS COLLEGE, committed to inspiring girls to choose technical careers.

 

While working as Director of Cultural Programming and Community Partnerships for the International House of Blues Foundation, Valerie created and directed “THE BLUES SCHOOLHOUSE: HISTORY OF THE BLUES,” an in-house educational production for children, which was performed in Boston and Los Angeles.

Community Leader

Valerie created PRINCESS DAY: CELEBRATING LITTLE GIRLS OF COLOR in her community of Boston in 2014.  It is an all-inclusive annual event where people gather for dancing, playing and other fun activities. Culture, inclusivity & empowerment are at the heart of the Princess Day event.  Valerie works with her team to hold Princess Day every year as a gift to the little girls of color in her community.  It is a family event that continues to this day.

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