Valarie Pettiford is an award-winning actor, dancer, and singer. She earned a Tony nomination for Fosse and can be seen in Bad Wolf Production’s A Discovery of Witches. She plays Emily Mather on the television adaptation of the All Souls Trilogy and recently wrapped production the films Miracle of Music and If Not When.
Valarie’s television highlights include Ronda Sales on Season 4 of Being Mary Jane, 4 seasons and 3 NAACP Image Awards nominations as Big Dee Dee on Half and Half, Simone Porter on Valor, Charlene Cooper on The Blacklist, Beverly on Born Again Virgin, and guest roles on Blackish, Bones, House of Payne, True Blood, Treme, and Criminal Minds.
Film credits include Chippy Duncan in the BET series The Family Business and Judge Alice Miller in Senior Moment, Aunt Geneva in Jumping the Broom and appearances in Stomp the Yard, Why Did I Get Married 2, Glitter, and The Wiz.
In addition to her Tony nomination, Valarie was also nominated for the Outer Critics, Drama League, and Mora Dora awards for Fosse. She appeared in the first national tour of Fosse’s Dancin and his last original musical, Big Deal. Valarie was part of the original cast of Sophisticated Ladies and was nominated for an Ovation Award as Julie in the tour of Showboat.
Valarie was the first American to portray Velma Kelly in the West End revival of Chicago, starring alongside Chita Rivera. When Ms. Rivera was inducted into The Kennedy Center Honors, she personally requested Valarie reprise the role.
Valarie played Anita in the 30th Anniversary Tour of West Side Story. She won an NAACP Image Award for Best Actress as Queenie in the LA premiere of Michael John La Chuisa’s The Wild Party. She received the Bistro Award for Cabaret Debut at the Metropolitan Room. Valarie has performed sold-out concerts of her one-woman show across the country and has released two albums entitled, Hear My Voice, and Velvet Sky.
Valarie is honored to be part of The Verdon Fosse Legacy, reconstructing Bob Fosse’s choreography and teaching it to a new generation of dancers.
@ValariePettiford
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