Elevated Storytelling

The mission of  Cadence is to transform and educate our community by developing talent and presenting contemporary theater and film works that uplift the spirit, challenge the mind, and honor both our individuality and shared humanity.

Founded in November 2009 by Anna Senechal Johnson, Cadence is a nonprofit dedicated to artistic excellence and community engagement in Richmond, Virginia. The organization began with a production of Sam Shepard’s Fool for Love in rented space at the Firehouse Theatre, quickly gaining local support. Over the years, Cadence has produced exceptional contemporary works that inspire meaningful, transformative experiences and thoughtful dialogue. By 2011, a partnership secured a decade-long home at Virginia Rep’s Theatre Gym, and in 2022, Cadence relocated to the Libby S. Gottwald Playhouse and the Firehouse Theatre, further expanding its reach.

Now celebrating its 15th year, Cadence blends theatre, film, and education, engaging multigenerational audiences in unique and meaningful ways. The nonprofit’s educational programs, including the KdentsTV Student Leadership Program, the STAGE WRITE College Prep & Workforce Readiness Program, TRAIN Pre-Professional Programs, year-round Rehearsal and Production Programs, Cadence Camps, and UNSTAGED Classes and Workshops for Adults, foster creativity and leadership in a wide range of ages.

Cadence is known for its acclaimed live theatrical productions, award-winning films, and pioneering initiatives to develop and support new work for the stage and screen, such as the Pipeline New Works Fellowship Program, led by notable figures such as Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire and New York Times best-selling novelist and screenwriter Clay McLeod Chapman.

Throughout its history, Cadence has earned numerous accolades, including Richmond Theatre Critics Circle awards for Best Play (2012, 2014, 2018, 2019) and Best Musical (2015). In 2018, the company received the Dominion Energy ArtStars Award and was named Best Acting Studio in Richmond by DistinguishedTeaching.com in 2022. Cadence has also garnered multiple international and national awards for its film projects and has been a recipient of the NEA’s Challenge America grant.