Luis Valdez
Keynote Speaker: Pioneering Playwright, Filmmaker & Chicano Arts Leader; Creator of El Teatro Campesino; Writer of "Zoot Suit"
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Luis Valdez Biography
Luis Valdez is a playwright, screenwriter, film director, and actor recognized as a foundational figure in Chicano film and playwriting. Valdez is known for the play "Zoot Suit," the film "La Bamba," and the creation of El Teatro Campesino. As a pioneer in the Chicano Movement, Valdez expanded the scope of theater and arts within the Chicano community, using the performing arts as a tool for social change.
Valdez began his artistic career at San Jose State University, where he won a playwriting contest and wrote "The Shrunken Head of Pancho Villa," which was performed by the university's drama department. After graduation, he joined the San Francisco Mime Troupe, where he learned the traditions of political theater, including agitprop and commedia dell'arte. Drawing on these influences, Valdez supported Cesar Chavez's United Farm Workers union by founding El Teatro Campesino to perform improvised actos that organized and energized farm workers. El Teatro Campesino, an Obie Award-winning theater company, played a significant role during the United Farm Workers struggle and the Delano Grape Strike in California's Central Valley. The company's socially engaged theater contributed to the development of a national theatrical movement in fields and barrios across the United States.
Valdez's work reached mainstream audiences with the play "Zoot Suit," which ran at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles and was later presented on Broadway, making Valdez the first Chicano director to achieve this milestone. His transition to film included directing "La Bamba," a biographical film about Chicano singer Ritchie Valens. "La Bamba" achieved commercial and critical success and became one of the most successful Latino-themed films at the box office. Valdez directed three films selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant: "I Am Joaquin," "Zoot Suit," and "La Bamba."
Throughout his career, Valdez has received numerous honors, including LA Drama Critic Awards, Dramalogue Awards, Bay Area Critics Awards, the George Peabody Award for excellence in television, the Presidential Medal of the Arts, the Governor's Award from the California Arts Council, and Mexico's Aguila Azteca Award. Valdez was nominated for Best Musical Picture at the Golden Globes for both "Zoot Suit" and "La Bamba." He was awarded the National Medal of Arts and inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Theatre at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. He is the subject of the Sundance award-winning documentary "American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez."
In addition to his work as a playwright and filmmaker, Valdez has contributed to arts education as a faculty member at University of California, Berkeley, UC Santa Cruz, Fresno State University, and as a founding professor at CSU Monterey Bay. He holds honorary doctorates from institutions including the University of Rhode Island, the University of South Florida, Cal Arts, the University of Santa Clara, and San Jose State University. Valdez's stage work includes "Valley of the Heart," which debuted at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. His ongoing contributions continue to influence Chicano storytelling, theater, and film in the United States.
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Luis Valdez Videos
How do I book Luis Valdez to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Luis Valdez for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Luis Valdez, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Luis Valdez or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Luis Valdez for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Luis Valdez, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Luis Valdez are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Luis Valdez, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does Luis Valdez speak about?
Luis Valdez is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Celebrity, Performing Arts, Entertainment, Hispanic Heritage, Author and Art & Design.
Where does Luis Valdez travel from?
Luis Valdez generally travels from San Juan Bautista, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Luis Valdez?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Luis Valdez for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Luis Valdez for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Luis Valdez or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
Luis Valdez is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Celebrity, Performing Arts and Entertainment. The estimated speaking fee range to book Luis Valdez for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. Luis Valdez generally travels from San Juan Bautista, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Adassa, Dr. Claudia Espinosa and Pam Muñoz Ryan. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Luis Valdez for an upcoming event.
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Luis Valdez Videos
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Luis Valdez Reviews
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Everything went very well. The students were thrilled and Luis and Lupe were very cordial and nice to everyone. Luis gave a brilliant talk and then stayed afterwards and spoke with the many people who wanted to meet him.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley - May 01 2026 -
Allan Hancock College - Oct 21 2025
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It was great to have Luis Valdez at our event.
Alisal Union School District - Oct 14 2024 -
Everything was great!
Cesar Chavez Elementary School - Apr 02 2024 -
The community was very impressed with Luis as our speaker. He is one of the most charismatic people we know. He inspired the community and the feedback is excellent!
Corazon Heladsburg - Feb 28 2022
FAQS
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How do I book Luis Valdez to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Luis Valdez for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Luis Valdez, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Luis Valdez or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Luis Valdez for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Luis Valdez, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Luis Valdez are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Luis Valdez, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Luis Valdez speak about?
Luis Valdez is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Celebrity, Performing Arts, Entertainment, Hispanic Heritage, Author and Art & Design. -
Where does Luis Valdez travel from?
Luis Valdez generally travels from San Juan Bautista, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. -
Who is the agent for Luis Valdez?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Luis Valdez for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Luis Valdez for your next private or corporate function. -
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Luis Valdez or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.
