Valerie Adams Rigsbee

Washington D.C.-Based Actor & Singer

Valerie Adams Rigsbee, Washington DC-Based EMC Actor and Singer

Upcoming

9 to 5 The Musical

9 to 5: The Musical

Missy Hart (Violet u/s)

Toby's Dinner Theatre

Mark Minnick

Jan 17 - Mar 16, 2024


With music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, 9 to 5 is based on the smash hit movie. Three unlikely friends take control of their office and learn there is nothing they can’t do! Pushed to the boiling point, the female coworkers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss.


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About

she/her/hers
Equity Membership Candidate (EMC)
Soprano/Mezzo (C3-C6 - 3 Octave Range)
5’7” • Blonde Hair • Blue-Green Eyes



"Simultaneously relatable, sarcastic, sassy and endearing, [Valerie] represents the perfect combination of singer and actor, skillfully making her presence known in every scene without ever stealing the show." 'Into the Woods: Provocative and Pretty'
"Rigsbee positively sparkles on stage." 'Murder Most "Nile"'
"Valerie Adams Rigsbee [performs] with such expressive verve that she elicits chuckles with nearly every line." 'The Slapstick is Popping in Keegan's Noises Off'

Awards and Nominations


  • A member of numerous Helen Hayes Award winning and nominated productions, including wins for Outstanding Musical (Next to Normal) and Outstanding Ensemble (James and the Giant Peach)
  • NH Theatre Awards Top 3 Finalist for Best Supporting Actress (Merry Wives of Windsor)
  • Three-time Virginia Princehouse Allen Awards Winner (Into the Woods and Heartbreak House)
  • SAFD Examiner’s Award for Excellence in Stage Combat

Theatre Experience

Marlene

Vivian Hoffman

Expats Theatre

Vanessa Gilbert

Helen Hayes Recommended

"ExPat’s Marlene is an example of the extraordinary talent tucked away in small spaces. It’s worth the trip to catch."
DC Theatre Arts
"[T]his such an engaging play...including a heated, bristling flirtation with her assistant Vivian (a delightfully vivacious Valerie Adams Rigsbee)."
BroadwayWorld

Noises Off

Belinda Blair

Keegan Theatre

Mark A. Rhea

Helen Hayes Recommended

"Valerie Adams Rigbee makes her mark relaying Nothing On supporting player Belinda Blair with such expressive verve that she elicits chuckles with nearly every line."
Metro Weekly
"A masterclass in strong, ensemble-based comedy ... a do-not-miss!"
MD Theatre Guide

The Dairy of Anne Frank

Mrs. Van Daan

Toby's Youth Theatre

David James

Shutter Sisters

Michael u/s

1st Stage

Eric Ruffin

Helen Hayes Recommended

"This intimate play about connection where it’s least expected is well worth seeing."
MD Theatre Guide
"A happy ending and a cozy, warm play for a cold winter night."
DC Theater Arts

Miracle on 34th Street

Miss Crookshank/Ensemble

Toby's Dinner Theatre

Shawn Kettering

"Miracle on 34th Street will put you in a mood for Christmas and put a smile in your heart — the Grinch would fall in love with this show."
DC Theater Arts
"Thanks to...wonderful music and singing, it was 'beginning to look like Christmas' in this wonderful performance-a perfect start to the season."
MD Theatre Guide

Sister Act

Sister Mary Patrick

Toby's Dinner Theatre

Mark Minnick

Helen Hayes Recommended

"Director and Choreographer Mark Minnick has directed a heartwarming show that audiences will adore. "
DC Theater Arts
"Sister Act is the most joyous show of the season, and that’s the God’s honest truth."
Hotchka

Escape to Margaritaville

Ensemble (Tammy u/s)

Toby's Dinner Theatre

Mark Minnick

Helen Hayes Award Nominee for Outstanding Director of a Musical (5 Total Nominations)

"Great harmony, wonderful dancing...The ensemble is comprised of very talented singers and dancers."
MD Theatre Guide
"It’ll sweep you away awhile and return you with a hankering for a...little more Buffett."
BroadwayWorld

Shakespeare in Love

Tilney / Sir Robert

Keegan Theatre

Ricky Drummond / Douglas Sebamala

7 Total Helen Hayes Nominations

"[I]t’s hard to imagine a better play, and cast...This choice is funny, loving, an overt ode to live theater."
Washington City Paper
"Don’t go to Shakespeare in Love for facts or history. Go to Shakespeare in Love for good, trashy fun."
DC Theater Arts

Museum 2040

Elizabeth O'Neil

4615 Theatre Company

Jordan Friend

"Rounding out the cast are Valerie Adams Rigsbee, whose sweet, emotional performance is underlined with a steely spine." BroadwayWorld
"[They] have achieved something remarkable. They have created a new art form that is complex, fully realized, and utterly compelling." DC Metro Theatre Arts

Hands on a Hardbody

Janis Curtis

Keegan Theatre

Elena Velasco / Mark A. Rhea

Helen Hayes Recommended

"[Valerie Adams Rigsbee] brings comedic charm to the fiery 'It’s A Fix.'"
Washington City Paper
"“If I Don’t Sleep” (beautifully sung by Valerie Adams Rigsbee and Gary DuBreuil), is a tenderly moving evocation of empathy, mutuality, and reciprocity in a marriage."
DC Metro Theater Arts

The Remains

Andrea u/s

Studio Theatre

David Muse

Helen Hayes Award Nominee for Outstanding Ensemble in a Play, Hayes and New Play, Hayes (5 Total Nominations)

"Absorbing and meticulously crafted."
Knockout acting in Studio’s play of a marriage on the rocks." The Washington Post

The Skin of Our Teeth

Mrs. Antrobus / Ivy u/s

Constellation Theatre

Mary Hall Surface

1 Helen Hayes Nomination

"All praise to Constellation for bringing off a seemingly impossible task with supreme aplomb. You’ll be dazzled and delighted."
‘The Skin of Our Teeth’ Review: Tending the Fire of Civilization, The Wall Street Journal

Doctor Faustus

Evil Angel / Martino / Duke / Cardinal / Devil

Brave Spirits Theatre

Paul Reisman

"A stellar ensemble cast of seven play all the remaining multiple tracks to great effect. There are standout moments...from Valerie Adams Rigsbee. Overall, it’s a striking story, presented beautifully."
Review: ‘Doctor Faustus’ at Brave Spirits Theatre, DC Metro Theatre Arts

Bonnie & Clyde

Cumie Barrow / Stella / Governor Miriam Ferguson

Monumental Theatre

Ryan Maxwell

"Many of the actors played numerous parts and their range was beyond remarkable.... Valerie Adams Rigsbee['s] attention to physicality and vocal patterns make[s] the multiple roles believable."
'Review: ‘Bonnie & Clyde The Musical’ at Monumental Theatre Company' by Kendall Mostafavi, DC Metro Theatre Arts

Much Ado About Nothing

Margaret / Seacol

Next Stop Theatre

Abbie Fine

"The acting in this show is superb. Each actor shows so much attention to emotional nuance...Even the smaller parts were expertly played, such as...Valerie Adams Rigsbee's Margaret."
'Much Ado About Nothing at NextStop (review)' by RK Pendergrass, DC Theatre Scene

Urinetown

Soupy Sue (Penny Pennywise / Jo Strong u/s, perf)

Constellation Theatre

Alison Stockman

Helen Hayes Award Nominee for Outstanding Musical (4 Total Nominations)

"The big cast snaps smartly across the small stage in number after number."
''Tis the (campaign) season for 'Urinetown'' by Nelson Pressley, Washington Post

Sue's Sorry

A blog from the not-so-reasonable mind of Soupy Sue, as played by Valerie Adams Rigsbee.

Next to Normal

Diana u/s, perf

Keegan Theatre

Mark A. Rhea and Colin Smith

Helen Hayes Award Winner for Outstanding Musical and Direction of a Musical (8 Total Nominations)

"Directors [and] cast have honored Kitt and Yorkey's revelatory work with an unforgettable production."
'Next to Normal at Keegan Theatre (review)' by Ben Demers, DC Theatre Scene

James and the Giant Peach

Spiker / Sponge u/s, perf 10x

Adventure Theatre

Michael Baron

Helen Hayes Winner for Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical (6 Total Nominations)

"Karen Vincent and Valerie Adams Rigsbee immediately endear themselves as the amusingly despicable villains."
'Review: James and the Giant Peach at Adventure Theatre MTC' by Kendall Mostafavi, DC Metro Theatre Arts

Same Time, Next Year

Doris

Papermill Theatre Co.

Kim Barber Knoll

"Valerie Adams Rigsbee DuBreuil spent time with [Jean's Playhouse] in 2014 summer and fall and winter shows before that. This is absolutely her best role ever. Don't miss this show."
Ken Chapman, Facebook Review

Wait Until Dark

Suzy Hendrix

Acadia Repertory Theatre

Michael Kissen

Hansel and Gretel

Gretel

Acadia Repertory Theatre

Cheryl Willis

A Christmas Carol

Mrs. Cratchit

U.S. National Tour

Scott Severance

National tour venues included:

Ferguson Center for the Arts (VA), The Grand Theatre (KY), Tilson Auditorium (IN), The Grand 1894 Opera House (TX), Strand Theatre of Shreveport (LA), Reynolds Performance Hall (AR), Leach Theatre (MO), Arkansas State University (AR), The Villages (FL), Flagler Auditorium (FL), Largo Cultural Center (FL), Delray Beach Center for the Arts (FL), The Palace Theatre (PA)

The Merry Wives of Windsor

Mistress Quickly

Advice to the Players

Candice Clift

NH Theatre Awards Top 3 Finalist for Best Supporting Actress as Mistress Quickly (6 Total Nominations)

The Winter's Tale

Lady / Shepherdess

The Guthrie Theatre

Jonathan Munby

"The talented cast makes music with his poetic language, while the designers deliver one interesting idea after another."
'Theater review: 'The Winter’s Tale'' by Rob Hubbard, Pioneer Press:

The Merry Widow

Dodo

Skylark Opera

Steven Stucki

"Neu and Freeh manage to dress a small stage with lots of performers who move about with admirable precision. The overall result is homage to traditional operetta as well as to the winking broadness of old-style musical theater."
'Skylark Opera's 'Merry Widow' charms, produces chuckles' by David Hawley, Pioneer Press

Richard III

Queen Margaret

Advice to the Players

Andrew Codispoti

New Hampshire Theatre Award Finalist for Best Actor

"Much of the cast is very strong...Valerie Rigsbee gives a suitably crazed and over-the-top performance as Queen Margaret."
Advice to the Players offers compelling take on 'Richard III' by Alec Kerr, The Conway Daily Sun

Nunsense

Rev. Mother Mary Regina

Papermill Theatre Co.

Sharon Paquette

Murder on the Nile

Christina Grant

Acadia Repertory Theatre

Cheryl Willis

"Valerie Rigsbee positively sparkles on stage, imbuing the long-suffering Christina Grant an inner strength and self-possession that makes the character's development completely believable, something that is often missed by actors in this role."
'Murder Most "Nile"' by Melinda Rice, Mount Desert Islander

ADDITIONAL THEATRE EXPERIENCE

New England

  • Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Suicide Club - Club Secretary - Acadia Repertory Theatre dir. C. Andrew Mayer
  • The Sound of Music - Sister Berthe - Papermill Theatre Co. dir. Kate Arecchi
  • Sherlock Holmes and the Case of Hamlet - Gertrude/Player - Advice to the Players dir. Mark Woollet
  • Love, Loss and What I Wore - Various - Little Church Theatre dir. Beth Cox
  • A Christmas Carol - Fred’s Wife - Playhouse Players dir. Vicki Etchings
  • Love Letters - Melissa - Papermill Theatre Co. dir. Patrick Stinson
  • Hate Mail - Dahlia - Papermill Theatre Co. dir. Patrick Stinson
  • Peter Pan-tomime - Captain Hook - Acadia Repertory Theatre dir. Cheryl Willis

Minnesota

  • Yaargh! A Pirate Musical - Rosie/Toadmoor (Lead) - Fortune’s Fool Theatre dir. Melissa Hart
  • Tommy-Gun Trouble - Sadie Yawanna - Wabasha St. Caves dir. Cynthia Smith
  • Sitch Bitch N' Die - Rose (Lead) - Joking Envelope Productions dir. Craig Johnson
  • Spanish Tragedy - Pedringano / Ambassador - Theatre Pro Rata dir. Carin Bratlie
  • The Holiday Pageant - Soprano - Open Eye Figure Theatre dir. Michael Sommers
  • Oklahoma! - Vivian - Lakeshore Players dir. Janice Murphy Roman
  • Much Ado About Nothing - Margaret - Theatre in the Round dir. Craig Johnson
  • The Hunchback of Notre Dame - Jeannette le Slut - Cromulent Shakespeare Company dir. Leah Cooper
  • The Horse, the Bird, the Monkey and the Dancer - Ensemble - Sandbox Theatre dir. Ryan Hill and Lisa Moreira
  • Henry V - Katherine - Theatre in the Round dir. Craig Johnson
  • Babe: An Olympic Musical - Lilly - Theatre Unbound dir. Carolyn Gage
  • William Shakespeare’s Land of the Dead - Soldier - Walking Shadow dir. Amy Rummenie
  • Frankenstein Incarnate - Jane Williams - Theatre Unbound dir. Carin Bratlie
  • Richard Foreman’s Paradise Hotel - Flight Attendant - The Brink dir. George McConnell
  • The Robot Musical - Robot - Bedlam Theatre dir. Cherie Anderson
  • Le Nozze Di Figaro - Marcellina - Ars Musica dir. Gregory Stavrou
  • The Sound of Music - Maria u/s - Ars Musica dir. Heather Klung

California

  • Oedipus Rex - Messenger - Bottom Line Theatre dir. Tyrus Emory
  • Proof - Claire - Bottom Line Theatre dir. Jacob Stoebel

OTHER PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE

Concert & Oratorio

  • By George: Music of Gershwin - Soloist - Magestic Theatre
  • Puttin on the Ritz - Soloist - The Palace Theatre
  • Handel's Messiah - Soloist - Ars Musica Chorale

Choral & Acapella

  • 42nd Street Singers - Mixed Quartets, 4 yrs
  • Mood Swing - Mixed acappella, soloist, 3 yrs
  • The Vibes - Women’s Quintet, soloist, album released

Albums & Recordings

  • True North: A Musical
  • The Vibes

Staged Readings & Workshops

  • Breseis - Charles Barnett (Playwright/Composer), MD
  • Spectre of Death - Charles Barnett (Playwright/Composer), MD
  • True North - Charles Barnett (Playwright/Composer), MD
  • Our Island - Solas Nua, DC
  • Blight - Pinky Swear Productions, DC
  • Edward II - Shakespeare in the Pub, DC
  • Princess Georgie - Playwright's Forum, DC
  • Pericles - Shakespeare in the Pub, DC
  • Twelfth Night - Shakespeare in the Pub, DC
  • The Tempest - Advice to the Players, NH
  • A Matter of Honor - Playwright's Center, MN

Film, Commercial & Voiceover

  • Robert Altman's A Praire Home Companion - Featured Extra
  • Industrials, TV Commercials, Web Videos & Voiceovers (conflicts on request)


SPECIAL SKILLS

Voice & Music

  • 3-octave singing range with very high mix
  • Skilled sightreader
  • Linklader vocal training
  • Ukelele (beginner)

Dance & Movement

  • Competitive ballroom dance: social (bronze medal with honors), Latin (bronze medal), international standard, English folk
  • Musical theatre, modern, jazz training
  • LeCoq and Laban movement training

Stage Combat

  • Recognized SAFD actor/combatant in small sword (recommended)
  • Broad sword, hand-to-hand and rapier training & experience

Languages & Dialects

  • Languages: English, French (working proficiency)
  • Accents: Minnesotan, RP British, Cockney, French, German, Scottish, Amarican southern and others

Sports

  • Volleyball (active in a local women's league)
  • Fastpitch softball pitcher & third baseman
  • Golfer (handicap of 12)
  • Improv

EDUCATION

Training

  • B.A. in Theatre Performance from Scripps College through Pomona College
  • London Dramatic Academy (three month program with BADA, RADA, and LAMDA professors and West End professionals)
  • Studio Theatre Acting Conservatory: Character and Emotion

Coaches

  • Acting: Raye Birk, Leonard Pronko, Alan Blumenfeld, Michael Winter, Richard Digby Day, Hilary Wood
  • Voice: Craig Fields, Jennifer Goltz, Tess Dignan
  • Dance: Chris Witt, Sue Goodman, Laurie Cameron
  • Stage Combat: Richard Ryan, Marlon Bulger


OTHER THEATER EXPERIENCE

Admin & Marketing

  • Marketing & Web Design: Keegan Theatre, Bowie Center for the Performing Arts, Acadia Repertory, Theatre Alliance, 1st Stage, Avant Bard Theatre, Flying V, The Actors Center, Loudmouth Collective, American Pops Orchestra, Brave Spirits Theatre, Jeans Playhouse, Theatre Pro Rata. Tedious Brief Productions
  • Development: Keegan Theatre, Guthrie Theatre (Internship)
  • Education: Park Square Theatre (Internship)
  • Box Office/Front-of-House: Acadia Repertory, Stages Theatre Company, Park Square Theatre (Internship)

Board

  • President & Chair: Brave Spirits Theatre, Theatre Pro Rata
  • Marketing Committee Member: North Country Center for the Arts


Media

"Moments" from Into the Woods (LIVE)



"My Ship" from Lady in the Dark

"Let the Boys Lead the Dance" from Babe, An Olympic Musical (LIVE)


"Waiting for Love" (clip) from True North

"Nothing Short of Wonderful" from Dogfight



"Mr. Sandman" (Lead Vocals) from The Vibes

Contact

Based out the Washington, D.C. area, but availble for projects around the country!