Valeka J. Holt

Affectionately known as "V" critically acclaimed artist Valeka J Holt is a graduate of the prestigious University of Washington's Professional Actor Training Program (PATP). While obtaining her MFA in Acting, Valeka began her professional career with roles in many award-winning shorts and independent features including "Attachments," and "So Many Options" among others. Adept in theater, film, acting, coaching, writing, and producing, Valeka is an artist with some serious promise. She stars as Eileen in the film "The Runaways," working with award winning cinematographer, Mike Wilson. In addition to being a Jet Beauty of the Week, Valeka is the DC Co-Captain of Ava Duverney's distribution company ARRAY. Additionally, her documentary film "Non-Critical" premiered at Cannes in the Short Film Documentary Corner, and it received the 2015 Jury Award. Previous credits include a host of theater roles, notably the role of Nina in acclaimed playwright Dominique Morisseau's "Sunset Baby." Broadway world stated "Playing the role of Nina is Valeka J. Holt who is astonishing. I predict a great future is ahead of her. One gets to see her transformation from the hardened criminal to that of a young woman who has just lost her mother, when she strips herself from her make-up, wig, and clothes into a bathrobe, sits on her couch, covers herself in a wrap which was covering the couch and weeps. It's a powerful moment." DC Metro Arts stated "Valeka J. Holt walks the trickiest line when it comes to winning our sympathy as Nina. But she will reduce you to a puddle in one scene when she comes upon a photo of herself as a toddler with her father, and suddenly all the pain of her childhood is reeled back and her face blossoms with a shy, girlish delight." Maryland Theatre guide states "Valeka J. Holt is one of the most relaxed and unselfconscious actors I've seen on stage - ever... She is sensual and powerful - a performance to remember." Other roles include Penny in the Regional Premiere of Suzan Lori Parks "Father Comes Home from the Wars Parts 1,2, &3" at Roundhouse Theatre. Peter Marks of The Washington Posts states "Early receives stalwart support from an ensemble that includes, most notably, Valeka J. Holt as Penny, who, like Odysseus's Penelope, perseveres valiantly while her man is away. Jonelle Walker of DCist states, Holt is so emotionally invested in her character that by play's end you feel that you might be watching a very real moment of personal unraveling. A dead ringer for Orange is the New Black's Uzo Aduba in artistic skill, Holt is a pleasure to watch. Other praised performances include her work as Ruth in Arena Stage's production of "A Raisin in the Sun," and Peter Quince and First Fairy in Shakespeare's "A Mid-Summer Nights Dream." Valeka graduated with honors from The University of Washington, and is a Go-Map Fellow Award recipient. A native of Washington, DC, Valeka currently resides in Georgia with her husband, celebrity drummer, Jason "Blacksourdough" Holt.