Before embarking on his storied 35-plus years as a Stage Manager, Valdez Flagg trained as a professional dancer and worked as an actor. However, his career trajectory changed with the Actors Strike of 1978, and needing to support his young family, he took a friend’s suggestion and helmed a role handling cue cards. After working in cue cards for seven years, he jumped at an opportunity given by beloved Stage Manager Ken Stein to work a day as a Stage Manager on Lou Rawls Parade of Stars. From that role, he would join the DGA as a Stage Manager and launch a lifelong and celebrated career.
Flagg’s live television and variety credits include the Oscars, Grammy Awards, NAACP Image Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Primetime Emmy Awards, and In Performance at the White House, to name only a handful. His other notable production credits include In Living Color, Martin and The Voice.
Initially asked to join the 2008 Negotiating Committee by Gil Cates, Flagg has been unwavering in his commitment to serving the Guild these past 17 years. Elected in 2007 as an alternate member of the Western AD/SM/PA Council, he has presided for 10 terms, seven of which were as Chairperson. He has also served on 5 Negotiation Committee cycles and three terms on the DGA National Board. He has also long been a trustee to the DGA-Producer Pension and Health Plans and has been a member of the DGA PAC Leadership Council. In 2023 he was awarded the Franklin J. Schaffner Award in recognition of his work in the industry and the Guild.
He has been a member of the Guild since 1987.