Storyteller
Valerie Stephens has performed for three generations of audiences as a StoryTeller with a focus on African Diaspora and Indigenous folktales and history.
She has been contracted to research, present and/or perform historical event production and folktales for a number of schools and organizations including Boston Children Museum, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Isabella Gardner Museum, Boston Science Museum, Springfield Arts Museum, Cambridge Cultural Council, International House of Blues Foundation and most recently, performed for the Sidwell Friends School of Washington DC.
Theater
Valerie toured nationally for eight years as lead actor with the award-winning Underground Railway Theater, developing the lead role of Harriet Tubman and performing with many other local and resident theater productions.
After a 15 years absence, she returned to theater stage in Company One’s controversial production of NEIGHBORS in the character role of Mammy Crow.
She then, created a solo performance piece, The Mammy Diaries. In 2019, Valerie performed the lead role in Marblehead Little Theater’s heart wrenching production of LETTERS FROM WAR in the lead role as Mae, a 75-year-old woman suffering from the Alzheimer’s disease.
Currently, she is creating her biographical one woman play I AM NOT YOUR PRECONCEIVED NOTION.
Music
As a vocalist/ band leader, Valerie can be enjoyed in venues throughout New England performing Jazz, Blues and Spoken Word.
She has produced a series of innovative concerts: Women of the Village celebrating female commonality in English, Spanish and Xhosa. Sweet & Salty: Dressed to the Nines a tribute to classic Blues Women and a four-concert series dedicated to Dr. Nina Simone, including Nina Simone & Hip Hop and this year’s debut of Nina Simone & Johann Sebastian Bach.
Arts Educator
Valerie has worked for numerous schools and community-based arts organizations throughout New England teaching creative dramatics & improvisational theater technique to ages 4 – 85.
Using history, art, and self-expression, she has developed interactive curricula and productions, including a performance-based program specifically designed for elders, Mother and Father Wits: Life Lessons.
Valerie has researched and created three middle school courses focusing on 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.
Currently fundraising for the Senior Theater Project.
Valerie has served as Artistic Consultant & Teaching Artist for the Boch Center for the Performing Arts in Boston and Director of Cultural Programming and Community Partnerships for the International House of Blues Foundation where she wrote and directed the interactive production on the history of the Blues.
She conducts workshops entitled Storytelling As An Educational Tool for teachers, and education specialists.
Valerie currently serves on the Board of Directors of two Arts organizations, Art of Black Dance & Music and Emmanuel Music
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.