Meet the Team

Administrative

Anna Senechal Johnson
Artistic and Managing Director

Anna Senechal Johnson, (she/her) is the founding Artistic and Managing Director of Cadence and is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, where she holds a B.A. in theatre and dance. She was a co-founder of Richmond’s award-winning Firehouse Theatre Project, served as Company  Artist for Company of Fools (COF) in Hailey, Idaho, and is the founding Artistic Director of St. Thomas Playhouse in Sun Valley, Idaho. Recently, she directed The Thanksgiving Play by Larissa FastHorse, 13  by Jason Robert Brown, Dan Elish, and Robert Horn, Gloria by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins (RTCC Winner for Best Play), Appropriate by  Branden Jacobs-Jenkins (RTCC Winner for Best Play and Best Director) and Rabbit Hole by David  Lindsay-Abaire. Other credits include Peter Shaffer’s Equus, Sam Shepard’s A Lie of the Mind, and the Richmond premieres of Lisa D’Amour’s Detroit and David Lindsay-Abaire’s Good People (RTCC  Nomination Best Play and Best Director). Favorite Richmond directing credits include Next Fall (Richmond Triangle Players); Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas (Virginia Repertory Theatre); Sons of the Prophet (Cadence Theatre in partnership with Virginia Repertory Theatre); Kimberly Akimbo (Cadence Theatre in Partnership with Virginia Repertory  Theatre); Fool for Love (Cadence Theatre); Godspell (Cadence Theatre); My  Children! My Africa! (Theatre IV) and A Devil Inside (Theatre IV); And Then They Came for Me:  Remembering the World of Anne Frank (Jewish Family Theatre); Tone Clusters (Firehouse Theatre Project). Acting credits include roles in Steel Magnolias, Rabbit Hole, Sight Unseen, and Bus Stop (COF). Anna also serves on the board of the Campfire Foundation in Boise, Idaho, and has worked with the PTSA and Drama Boosters at Maggie L. Walker Governor's School. Since Cadence’s inception, she has also been involved in areas of educational programming, production, marketing, volunteer recruitment and management, publicity management, development, and administration. In her spare time, Anna enjoys hiking, going to the theatre and ballet, watching movies, jogging, and spending time with family, friends, her daughter, and her pets.

Laine Satterfield
Director of Education, STAGE WRITE and TRAIN Program Manager

Laine Satterfield (she/her) is an award-winning theatre artist who has performed in, taught, choreographed, directed, and devised theatre both nationally and internationally. She holds a BFA from Tisch School of the Arts at NYU and has trained at the University of Eurasian Theatre, Stella Adler Conservatory, Carnegie-Mellon University, and the University College of London (Dramaturgy – Shakespeare and modern British). She has taught at New York University, Stella Adler Conservatory, Aquila University, VCU’s School of Business, Virginia Governor’s School, Company of Fools, Artspower, SPARC, Center for the Arts, CenterStage, Cadence Theatre Company, the Joan Oates Institute for Partners in the Arts, and various workshops in the States and abroad. Laine founded the New York City based theatre group World 3 Theatre Company, where she was Artistic and Founding Director. She also toured extensively with the international theatre group Linea Trasversale, headed up by Eugenio Barba. Acting roles include Cadence’s Native Gardens, Cadence/Virginia Rep's The Thanksgiving Play, Gloria (2019 RTCC Best Play), Sight Unseen, In the Next Room (or the Vibrator Play), and Detroit (2015 RTCC Best Ensemble nomination); Virginia Rep's Pipeline, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, The Little Dog Laughed (2008 RTCC Best Supporting Actress nomination), and To Kill a Mockingbird; Richmond Triangle Players’ Cloud 9 (2018 RTCC Best Actress and Best Ensemble nomination); 5th Wall's Gideon’s Knot (2013 RTCC Best Ensemble Acting Award); and Firehouse Theatre Project's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2012 RTCC Best Actress nomination), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (2011 RTCC Best Actress Award), Mr. Marmalade, This is How it Goes, and Eurydice (2009 RTCC Best Actress nomination). Other favorite roles include Lady Macbeth in Macbeth, Elena in Uncle Vanya, Paulina in Death and the Maiden, and Ariel in The Tempest. Recent Direction: Cinderella, Airline Highway for Virginia Repertory Theatre and Small Mouth Sounds, The Mountaintop for Cadence/Virginia Rep (2017 RTCC Best Director Award). In addition to teaching theatre to all ages in the Richmond area, she serves as Program Director for Cadence’s STAGE WRITE Program and Cadence/Virginia Rep’s TRAIN Pre-Professional Acting Training Program. She has been honored as one of Style Weekly’s Women in the Arts. 

Omiyemi (Artisia) Green
Sitelines BLM Program Director

Omiyẹmi (she/her) is the originator and Program Director for Cadence Sitelines BLM and had the honor of directing Brittany Fisher’s Bleach, one of Cadence’s award-winning commissions for its 2023 Sitelines BLM Film Festival. As noted in Bleach being “the first black anything” makes clear that progress is being made slowly. However, progress is still happening and Omiyẹmi does not take this distinction in her professional profile lightly. Since the inception of the William & Mary Theatre & Dance department in 1926 and the hiring of its first Black faculty member sixty years later, Omiyẹmi is the first Black woman to achieve tenure and promotion to full professor in Theatre. She also holds posts as the editor-in-chief of the Black Theatre Review, the VP for Professional Development for the Association for Theatre in Higher Education, and a W&M Provost Faculty Fellow.

A director and dramaturg Omiyẹmi’s work has been seen in places such as the Afrikana Independent Film Festival (Richmond, VA), Southern Illinois University (Carbondale), Illinois Wesleyan University, eta Creative Arts Foundation, and Cadence. Her research is published in the Journal of American Drama and Theatre, the Journal of American Folklore, Continuum, the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society Journal Peer Review Section, the August Wilson Journal, August Wilson’s Pittsburgh Cycle: Critical Perspectives on the Plays (McFarland), and African American Culture: An Encyclopedia of People, Traditions, and Customs (Greenwood). She has forthcoming work in Theater Magazine, Applied Theatre and Racial Justice: Radical Imaginings for Just Communities (Routledge), and August Wilson in Context (Cambridge University Press).

Since graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2003 (MFA, Theatre Education) she has held teaching positions with Morgan State University, Chicago State University, and Purdue University’s Black Cultural Research Center. Omiyẹmi’s accomplishments include two William & Mary NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Faculty Support, a Plumeri Award for Faculty Excellence, a W. Taylor Reveley, III Interdisciplinary Faculty Fellowship, a WMSURE Mellon Faculty Fellowship, an Arts & Sciences Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence, and a term professorship as the Sharpe Professor of Civic Renewal and Entrepreneurship. She has earned $230K in external and internal awards for her teaching and research, and creative work, has been recognized by the Black Theatre Alliance Awards, and supported with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, CultureWorks, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Jason Collins
Photographer

Jason Collins (he/him) has spent most of his life living in central Virginia. He spent his school age years in Midlothian, VA, but attended college in Radford, VA and Richmond, VA after high school. Jason has since settled into the southside suburbs with his wife and young son. Jason started becoming more interested in photography around 2007 and eventually worked part-time by gaining interest from the music industry capturing live shows and promotional images for musicians and publications. In 2012, Jason Collins Photography became a full-time business venture and he has been consistently photographing local and destination weddings, as well as, family portraits and headshots. Jason's attention to detail and photojournalistic approach to the art of photography is what attracted him to work with Cadence Theatre Company and Virginia Rep. He's been photographing Cadence's live performances and promotional material since the early 2010's after going full-time. Jason's unique style works perfect in tandem with live theatre performances and is a great addition to the Cadence Theatre production team. You can see more of Jason's work at www.jasoncollinsphoto.com.

Druanne Cummins
Graphic Designer

Druanne Cummins (she/her) is a freelance graphic designer. She grew up in Richmond, but after graduating from JMU with a major in Communications Arts and a minor in Studio Art, moved to the west coast. Some of her more interesting jobs include designing for a music industry trade magazine in Los Angeles and large ad agencies like Goodby, Silverstein & Partners in San Francisco. She even designed and wrote for a Fortune 500 computer sales and training company owned by a commune that believed in group marriage! Back in Richmond, she has freelanced for many clients and has done the graphic design for Virginia Repertory Theatre for the past six years. Her hobbies include running, kayaking, traveling, and going to music festivals and Grateful Dead concerts.

Sara Krivanec
Communications and Social Media Associate

Sara Krivanec (she/her) has called Richmond home since 2000. She is a proud supporter of the Richmond arts community and brings her love of administrative work to Cadence through communications assistance including social media posting and newsletter publishing. Sara has worked as a Certified Birth Doula since 2001, educating and supporting RVA families as they bring their babies into the world. After graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in Women’s Studies, Sara has continued to incorporate her knowledge of women’s issues in her birth work and through her appreciation of the various jobs women perform in this world- including the amazing work of women in theatre! The arts hold a special place in her family’s heart, whether it’s music, performing or visual arts. Her oldest son graduated from VCUarts in Craft/Material Studies and her daughter (who grew up as a SPARC & Cadence “theatre kid”) is now using that background as they pursue their ASL interpreter degree in Chicago. Sara loves reading mysteries and political books, watching her youngest son play soccer, and visiting the Outer Banks with her family.

Jill Porcelli
Bookkeeper

Jill Porcelli (she/her) has been the Bookkeeper for Cadence Theatre Company since July 2018. Originally from Long Island, NY, Jill moved down to Virginia to go to Randolph-Macon College in 2007. She loved it so much that she made Richmond her home for many years. Now newly married she has moved to Memphis, TN with her husband to start a new chapter but is happy to continue working for Cadence Theatre Company from afar. With a passion for theatre but no acting skills, she has found her love behind the books. 

Melissa Johnston Price
Special Events Coordinator

Melissa Johnston Price (she/her) has been working in event coordinating and catering for the past 25 years.  She was heavily involved in both the June Jubilee and the Children’s Festivals in the 90’s and was the Director for the 17th Street Farmer’s Market Festival which was held in conjunction with the Tour de Richmond bicycle race.  Melissa is also an actress having worked with Cadence Theatre Company, Virginia Repertory Theatre, Richmond Triangle Players, 5th Wall, and Quill Theatre, and she was voted one of Richmond’s favorite actresses for 2013 by Style Weekly readers.  She received the Teresa Pollack Award for Excellence in the Performing Arts in 2014 as well as the Richmond Theatre Critics Circle Award for Best Actress of the Year for her role as Barbara in August, Osage County produced by Cadence in association with Virginia Rep. Melissa and her husband, Roger, own and operate Whisper Recording, voicing phone voice prompts, on hold messaging, and radio and television commercials.

Denise Simone
National New Play Network Liaison and Associate Artist

Denise Simone (she/her) has pursued a life in the professional theatre for the past 40 years as an actor, director, teacher, administrator and consultant. While her work as an actor has informed and fed all other aspects of her life in the theatre, it was her 1996 move to Hailey, Idaho, with the award-winning Company of Fools (COF, of which she was a founding member) that led to the richest and most rewarding chapter (thus far) of her career.  Between 1996 and 2016, Simone served as COF’s Co-Producing Artistic Director and led the Company to becoming one of the pre-eminent arts organizations in Idaho. Some of her favorite acting roles with COF include Barbara in August: Osage County, Veronica in God of Carnage, Masha in Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike, Margie in Good People, Polly in Other Dessert Cities, the one-woman shows The Syringa Tree and Shirley Valentine, May in Fool for Love starring Bruce Willis and Roberta in Danny and the Deep Blue Sea. She has also appeared in recent years in Boise Contemporary Theatre’s productions of The Roommate, The Clean House and Slow Food and Potus at Virginia Repertory. Directing credits include Cry It Out, Proof; Constellations; Almost, Maine; Doubt; Dead Man’s Cell Phone; Distracted; Collected Stories; The Laramie Project; and The Belle of Amherst.  Simone has taught theatre and creative writing in Virginia and Idaho and helped create and implement COF’s innovative in-school Stages of Wonder program. She has developed workshops and classes for nonprofits including Camp Rainbow Gold, Sun Valley Adaptive Sports, YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center and Flourish Foundation.  Simone served as a commissioner for the Idaho Commission on the Arts for ten years and as a panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts. She is currently an advisory board member for the Sun Valley Playwrights Residency as well as a member of Actors’ Equity Association and Screen Actors’ Guild.  For her work in the theatre Denise was awarded the Idaho Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts.

Skye Shannon
Webmaster

Skye Shannon (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist and recent graduate from VCU with a BFA in Graphic Design. She currently works as a UX/UI Designer for Capital One, in addition to managing Cadence’s website. Skye has been working creatively with CTC and Virginia Rep for more than ten years since joining the Fourth Wall Student Leadership Program as an original member in 2012. Check out some of her work at skyeshannon.com. 

Rusty Wilson
Associate Artist, Education Team Member 

Rusty Wilson (he/him) is a theatre artist and teacher based in Richmond, VA. Since moving to Richmond in 2005, he has directed a number of critically acclaimed productions for Cadence, including The Christians, John, (RTCC Best Director, 2017), Sight Unseen, and In The Next Room (or The Vibrator Play). Other Richmond directing credits include Cloud 9, Death of a Salesman, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? (RTCC Best Director, 2011), Sarah Ruhl’s Eurydice (RTCC Best Director, 2009), Noah Haidle’s Mr. Marmalade, and Virginia Rep’s To Kill A Mockingbird. Prior to moving to Richmond, Rusty spent ten years serving as the Founding Artistic Director for Company of Fools, an award winning theatre company located in Sun Valley, Idaho. Favorite directing credits there include Uncle Vanya, James Joyce’s The Dead, Waiting for Godot, How I Learned to Drive, The Tempest, Death and the Maiden, Buried Child, and Other Desert Cities. The company received the Idaho Governor’s Award in 2004, and continues to be one of Idaho’s leading arts institutions. Rusty has been a guest director and teacher at various colleges and universities around the country, received a fellowship in directing in 2003, and was featured in the March 2002 issue of American Theatre Magazine. Rusty currently serves as an Associate Artist for Cadence.

Drew Brown
Film & Video Production Associate

Drew Brown (he/him) studies Interactive Media Arts at New York University and works as a repair shop technician at the Tisch Kanbar Institute of Film and Television. A life-long Richmonder, he is a 2021 graduate of St. Christopher’s School, where he served as Technical Director of the Ampersand Theatre Company. He joined Cadence’s 4th Wall Student Leadership Program in 2018 and now serves as a film editor for the Kdents TV web series “Bloodlines.” He has previously worked as a camp counselor at SPARC and interned at the Science Museum of Virginia’s Forge Makerspace.

Production Team

The following creative artists have worked with Cadence on three or more productions.

Andrew Bonniwell
Lighting Designer

Andrew Bonniwell (he/him) is excited to be this year’s resident lighting designer for Cadence Theatre Company. He looks forward to another incredible season after previously designing In the Next Room, Clybourne Park, John, The Christians, and Sight Unseen.   He graduated from the University of Richmond with a minor in theatre.  He spent two years working as the technical director for the Sara Belle November Theatre at Westminster Canterbury.  Andrew has previously served as a resident lighting designer for Henley Street Theatre Company.  He has worked all around with the Richmond Theatre Community, including Richmond Triangle Players, Firehouse Theatre Project, Barksdale Theatre at Hanover Tavern, Chamberlayne Actors Theatre, Dogwood Dell, and Sycamore Rouge. During the day, Andrew currently serves as a data management analyst for SunTrust.  Andrew would like to take this opportunity to thank his wife and son for their love and support.

Daniel Burgess
Set Dresser, Artistic Associate

Daniel Burgess (he/him) is Resident Set Dresser/Scenographer for Cadence Theatre Company and an Associate Professor of Art Appreciation and Humanities. He holds a BFA and MS from C.W. Post L.I.U. He is also the Arts, Humanities and Theatre representative to Virginia Community College System’s Discipline Advisory Committee and a Mellon Research Fellow Faculty Member. Recent credits for Cadence include the regional premiere of Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins’s, Gloria, (RTCC Winner for Best Play, Tie, RTCC Nominee for Best Set Design, Drama), Brandon Jacobs Jenkins’s Appropriate, (RTCC Winner for Best Play, RTCC Winner for Best Set Design, Drama), Violet (RTCC Winner for Best Set Design, Musical), Lucas Hnath’s The Christians, (RTCC Nominee for Best Set Design, Drama), Stephen Adly Guirgis' Between Riverside and Crazy and Alison Brechdel’s Fun Home, The Musical.

Weston Corey
Lighting Designer, Master Electrician

Weston Corey (he/him) graduated from VCU in 2016 with a BFA in lighting design. After graduation, Weston worked as the Lighting Director and Resident Lighting Designer for The Sharon L. Morse PAC in The Villages, FL that encompasses a 1000 seat road house and 120 seat black box. There he designed: Proof, Bad Jews, Frankie and Johnny, Company, Red, Tell Me on a Sunday, and The Story of My Life in the studio, and worked on many shows at the Sharon ranging from Broadway tours to classic rock shows. In fall of 2018 he returned to Virginia, continuing his former freelance work as a Lighting Designer, Technician and Consultant. Weston has designed Gloria and 13 for Cadence Theatre Company  and Saturday, Sunday, Monday at Virginia Rep. He as also designed Annie, The Christmas Spectacular and Souvenir at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts where he is also the Master Electrician on staff. wtc-design.com.

Photo by beetwosweet.com.

Monique Davis
Production Associate

Monique Davis (she/her) is a transplant to Richmond from Paterson, New Jersey. She is a 1987 graduate of Paterson’s Eastside High School — home of the Ghosts and known for its former principal Joe Clark, the subject of the 1989 film Lean on Me. Monique double majored in Journalism and Theatre Arts at Upsala College in East Orange, New Jersey, where she was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges in 1994. As an actor, she has appeared on New York Undercover and on Law and Order. Monique has also taught English in California and private acting classes in New Jersey. Monique’s affiliation with Cadence began as a student in Rusty Wilson’s adult acting classes in October of 2017. She looks forward to working with Cadence from the production side to support Cadence’s creative mission.

Sarah Grady
Costume Designer

Sarah Grady (she/her) is thrilled to be Cadence Theatre Company’s Resident Costume Designer.  Until the Pandemic hit she was the Assistant Costume Director for Virginia Repertory Theatre, a job she held for 17 years.  Designs for Cadence Theatre include: Small Mouth Sounds, 13, Appropriate, The Christians, Fun Home, Rabbit Hole, Violet, The Mountaintop and Caroline or Change.  Favorite Virginia Rep Designs include: Harriet Tubman, West Side Story (RTCC winner for Best Costume Design), In The Heights (RTCC nominee for Best Costume Design), Dreamgirls (RTCC winner for Best Costume Design), Junie B. Jones, The Music Man (RTCC nominee for Best Costume Design), Spring Awakening and The Sound of Music (RTCC nominee for Best Costume Design). For three lucky summers, Sarah traveled to Roma, Italy to work with the Operafestival di Roma, where she coordinated the costumes for The Magic Flute, Suor Angelica, The Marriage of Figaro and Die Fledermaus.  She has also worked at TheatreVirginia, Dogwood Dell, Seaside Musical Theatre and Williamstown Theatre Festival.

Sharon Gregory
Stage Manager, Production Manager

Sharon (she/her) is happy to be returning to the fold of Cadence after previously stage managing The Mountaintop and Sight Unseen. Sharon received a BFA from Longwood University and a master's degree in Public History from American Public University. She currently works in the Richmond area and freelances as a stage manager when time allows, most recently assisting with performances at the University of Richmond. These days most of Sharon’s time is taken up by raising and training her six-year-old son and pitty-mix pup. She is grateful and thankful to Anna and Rusty for reaching out and extending the invitation to reunite with some of her favorite people! 

Shawanna Hall
Stage Manager, Production Manager, Covid Safety Officer

Shawanna Hall (she/they/them) is a stage manager and adjunct professor at W&M with twelve years of professional experience in live entertainment. Theme Park shows and small-cast straight plays are probably their favorite genres to stage manage. Recent credits include Cadence Theatre's Annie JR., Kings Dominion's Grand Carnivale 2022, Sugar In Our Wounds, and A Doll's House Part 2. Covid Safety roles include Broadway’s Wicked Tour, It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play and Ella and Her Fella Frank. 

Hannah Hoffert and Olive
Stage Managers

Hannah Hoffert (she/her) and Olive are thrilled to be resident members of Cadence Theatre Company. Hannah is a proud alumnus of Carnegie Mellon University, receiving her B.S. (‘16) and M.S. (‘17) in Mechanical Engineering, with a Drama Production Technology and Management minor. Although she holds degrees in mechanical engineering, Hannah fell in love with stage and production management while at Carnegie Mellon and has been involved in theatre ever since. She currently freelances across Richmond, recently working with SPARC, Richmond Triangle Players, River City Community Players and Virginia Voice. Starting at 8 weeks old, Olive trained for two years at Service Dogs of Virginia before being partnered with Hannah in 2017. She is a highly trained medical alert dog who uses her sense of smell to provide life-saving alerts for patients with Addison’s Disease, an endocrine condition that Hannah has. Hannah and Olive are a dynamic duo that can always be seen together, whether it is in the rehearsal room, backstage or in the booth. Hannah and Olive’s first production with Cadence/Virginia Rep was 13: The Musical, and they look forward to working on many more in the future!

Courtney Holmes
Production Associate

Courtney Holmes (she/her) is just a country girl living in a big city. Raised in Emporia, Virginia, she moved to Glen Allen, Virginia, for middle school and high school. During her time at Hermitage High School, Courtney was a member of the Center for the Humanities and enjoyed the arts in all forms, from visual arts to playing the violin. After high school, she worked at Capital One in the disputes and fraud department. Courtney is currently studying at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in pursuit of her goal of joining the medical profession, with a focus on patients with limited resources.

Michael Jarett
Lighting Designer, Master Electrician

Michael Jarett (he/him) is pleased to be a Resident Lighting Designer for Cadence Theatre Company.  He has previously designed Grease: School Edition, Gloria (co-design with Weston Corey), Appropriate, Rabbit Hole, 4000 Miles, Equus, and Caroline or Change for Cadence Theatre Company.  Michael has received RTCC awards for his designs of Urinetown, Sweeney Todd, and Moth.  His designs have been seen locally at 5th Wall Theatre, Dogtown Dance Theatre, Firehouse Theatre, HATTheatre, Jewish Family Theatre, Quill Theatre, Richmond Triangle Players, SPARC, TheatreLAB, TheatreVCU, University of Richmond, VCU Dance, Westminster Canterbury, West End Assembly of God’s Glorious Christmas Nights; in New York at Theater for the New City, Theatre Row, Dance Theatre Workshop, Pregones Theater, Ailey Citigroup Theater; regionally at Arundel Barn Playhouse, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Cape Rep Theater, Emerald City Opera, Florida Studio Theatre, Mercury Theatre Company, Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School, Playhouse on Park, Riverside Center, Trinity Star Arts Council, Virginia Musical Theater; and internationally in Sofia, Bulgaria.  Mike received his MFA from Brandeis University, BA from the University of Richmond, and held the Hemsley Lighting Internship at Lincoln Center.  www.michaeljarett.com.

Margarette Joyner
Costume and Properties Designer

Margarette Joyner (she/her) is a Director, Actress, Poet, Singer, and Costume Designer based in Charlotte, NC. Joyner is a Visiting Professor of Costume Design at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte. She graduated with a MFA from VCU after receiving her undergraduate degree from the University of South Alabama. Joyner founded The Heritage Ensemble Theatre Company in 2012 and served as the Artistic/Executive Director for 10 years. She has taught theatre and served as an academic advisor at the university level for six years. In addition to writing several stage plays, Joyner recently co-authored a book, When I Kill Him, Jesus Can Have Him, released through Pecan Tree Publishing. She also served as an Actor Interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg, where she not only performed but wrote several of her own solo programs. She was honored to give voice to those of the enslaved community of Williamsburg's 18th Century. Joyner has designed costumes and props for Cadence Cinema Film & TV’s "Still Fighting," "Bleach," "Break," and "Bloodlines". Of all these accomplishments, her greatest is to have raised a daughter who is a loving human being and her best friend. Says Joyner of her talents, "I am humbled by the fact that God has chosen me to represent His work in so many ways."

Lara Koplin
Scenic Designer, Scenic Artist, Set Dresser

Lara Koplin (she/her) has been a decorative and scenic artist in Richmond, Virginia since 1993. Since earning her BFA in Crafts and Art History from Virginia Commonwealth University, she has painted countless finishes for commercial and residential spaces, theatre sets and film. Her work can be seen locally at World of Mirth, Phillip Morris International, as well as VCU’s Alumni House. Her theatrical endeavors include Cadence Theatre’s Annie JR, Next to Normal, Sight Unseen, A Lie of the Mind, and Virginia Rep’s Busytown. Lara’s scenic and set decoration can be seen in films such as Harriet, The Good Lord Bird, Dopesick, Echoes and Swagger. In her spare time, Lara enjoys spending time with her family and creating fiber art.

Joey Luck
Sound Designer

Joey (he/him) is very passionate about all things involving sound! He has many years of experience mixing and recording audio, designing sound, and composing music. Joey received a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Organization and Innovation Management from Colorado State University. His work has been featured in theatrical productions, films, concerts, dance shows, podcasts, and escape room games. Joey has received an RTCC award in Sound Design for the following productions: A Bright New Boise (2013, Firehouse Theatre), Cabaret (2014, Richmond Triangle Players), Psycho Beach Party (2015, Richmond Triangle Players), The Toxic Avenger (2017, 5th Wall Theatre), Sweeney Todd (2019, TheatreLAB), and most recently for Small Mouth Sounds (2022, Cadence Theatre). www.joeyluck.com

Rich Mason
Scenic Designer

Rich Mason (he/him) received his MFA in Production Design from Ohio University’s School of Theatre. While at OU, he designed Dostoyevsky’s The Idiot and Phillip Barry’s Holiday. His Holiday design won Ohio Valley USITT’s Peggy Ezekiel 2011’s Award of Distinction and Board’s Choice Award, and was one of twelve designs showcased in USITT’s TD&P Magazine in June of 2012. Rich is happy to be working with Cadence Theatre for the past 3 seasons. Rich won an ARTSIE for Best Scenic Design of a Musical for Cadence’s production of VIOLET. He was also nominated for Best Scenic Design of a Play for both Rabbit Hole and John. He is a Creative Consultant and Resident Designer for West End Assembly of God in Richmond, VA, and continues a freelance career regionally. Rich has worked in New York, Virginia, and Michigan designing for such shows as In The Heights, 4000 Miles, Deyos Dance, Shrek Jr., Tarzan, Catch Me If You Can, Comedy of Errors, Jane Eyre, Jekyll & Hyde, Waiting for Godot, and Our Country’s Good. For nine summers, Rich was on Faculty at Interlochen Arts Camp as Scenic Designer for the High School Technical Design and Production Program. Rich also holds an MLA in Liberal Arts from University of Richmond and a BFA from TheatreVCU. Visit him at his website at www.richmasondesign.com.

Emily Hake Massie
Scenic Designer, Scenic Artist

Emily Hake Massie (she/her) was raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  She completed her undergraduate degree in Slavic Languages & Literature with minors in Studio Art and Art History at Connecticut College.  In 2015, she completed a Master of Fine Arts degree in Painting at The University of Wisconsin – Madison.  During her graduate school career, Emily taught scenic painting to undergraduate students, served as the charge scenic artist for the University of Wisconsin – Madison’s School of Theatre & Drama and the School of Music, and painted independently for several Wisconsin based theatre companies. Emily is currently the resident scenic artist at Cadence Theatre Company and the Virginia Repertory Theatre and continually freelances as a scenic artist in the mid-Atlantic region.  She maintains an active personal studio practice and has exhibited her work at galleries in the Midwest and Eastern United States.  Her abstractions explore intersections of contemporary consumer culture and archetypes of femininity.  She resides in Richmond, Virginia with her husband, Franklin, and their dog, Birdie.  www.emilyhakemassie.com

Aaron Orensky
Fight Choreographer

Aaron Orensky (he/him) has been studying theatrical and martial combat domestically and internationally for over twenty years, training with the Society of American Fight Directors, the United Stuntmen’s Association, and Art of Combat. He has fought, taught, and assisted at workshops from Australia to Canada to Seattle. Aaron has worked on productions ranging from Lucrezia Borgia with The Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center to The Three Musketeers in Seattle, WA, to the motion picture Lincoln. More recently he has given life to the violence for theatrical productions of Stupid Kid, Gloria, Cyrano de Bergerac, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Shakespeare in Love, The End of War, Peter Pan, The Pillowman, and various local film projects. Aaron is the Director of the Virginia Stage Combat School and a Fight Director with Art of Combat.

Janet Rodgers
Dialect Coach

Janet Rodgers (she/her) has served as dialect coach for theatre and film productions in the Richmond area since 1987. She is Professor Emerita of Theatre at Virginia Commonwealth University where she created the first MFA with emphasis in Voice and Speech Pedagogy in the USA as well as serving as Head of Performance for seven years. In 2004 she was awarded the honor of being a Fulbright scholar to Romania where she taught at two universities. Prior to coming to VCU, she taught at the Boston Conservatory of Music and was principal actress with The Boston Shakespeare Company and Boston’s Lyric Stage as well as performing Off Broadway at La Mama Theatre. Ms. Rodgers holds a BA in Theatre Arts and Speech from Mount Holyoke College and an MFA in Theatre Arts from Brandeis University.

Alleigh Scantling
Production Manager

Alleigh Scantling (she/her) is a local stage manager and production manager based in Richmond, VA. Having been a native “Richmonder” her whole life, she is honored to have been a part of so many wonderful companies in this city, and is as excited as ever to join the Cadence family. Known by her familiar “Hi friends!” announcement opener, she has had the pleasure to work in a plethora of spaces well known to Richmond, such as Firehouse Theatre, TheatreLAB, and even the Carpenter Science Theatre of the Science Museum of Virginia. When she’s not hanging around in the Theatre Gym, Alleigh also works as a production assistant, theatre technician, and assists with event coordination at John Tyler Community College’s blackbox, The Lynn Theatre. She often serves as Resident Production Stage Manager there, and has had the opportunity to serve many other technical roles at The Lynn as well, such as Technical Director and Lighting Designer. She prides herself on being well-rounded in all things pertaining to technical theatre, and professionally lives by the mantra “If I don’t know it, I will find someone who does.” In her spare time, she enjoys catching other friends’ productions, checking out the Richmond food scene, hanging out alongside the river, and spending time with her son, Matthew. They are always on the hunt for any adventure that can be found!

Ellie Wilder
Properties Mistress

Ellie Wilder (she/her) graduated from Christopher Newport University with a degree in both technical and performance theatre in May 2017. She put her full focus on props work late in her sophomore year and worked on shows both at Christopher Newport University and Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre. Since October of her senior year of college, she has been very active as a props master in the Richmond theatre scene. Her first show with Cadence theatre was The Christians for the 2018 Richmond Acts of Faith Festival. Previous local credits include shows with: Henrico Theatre Company, Chamberlayne Actors Theatre, and Richmond Triangle Players. When not propping shows in Richmond, Ellie works as a member of the theatre department staff at John Tyler Community College. She is extremely excited to be a member of the Cadence family and is looking forward to future shows!

Liv Wilson
Dramaturg, Communications Associate

Liv Wilson (she/they) is a dramaturg, playwright, librettist, and theatremaker based out of Washington, D.C. Their work has been seen at The Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center, Boise State University, The University of Texas at El Paso, The College of William & Mary and at The Premiere Theatre Playwriting Competition. Liv is the recipient of the Howard Scammon Prize for Drama and the Martin Jurow Theatre Arts Award for artistic excellence. She has worked as the dramaturg for Ford's Theatre, Cadence Theatre Company's Sitelines BLM series, and several independent new works developed by artists across the country. Liv received their Bachelor's degree in History from The College of William and Mary in 2021 and is a recent National Theatre Institute alum.

Education

Danny Caporaletti
Film & Video Production Team Member and Mentor

Danny Caporaletti (he/him) is a writer/filmmaker based in Richmond, Virginia. He has an MFA in Fiction Writing from the University of New Orleans, and his writing has been published in journals such as Bluestem, Sink/Swim Press, NewOrleans&Me, and others. He served as an assistant editor at Bayou Magazine in New Orleans, Louisiana, from 2014 to 2016. In addition, his short films have screened in Berlin, Germany, as part of the Weihnachts Christmas Film Festival; in Washington, D.C., as part of the Awesome Con Short Film Festival; and in Richmond, New Orleans, and at various other events. He works in Virginia as a freelance director and teaches film production in the VCUarts Cinema Department at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Clay McLeod Chapman
Screenwriting Mentor

Clay McLeod Chapman (he/him) writes books, comic books, children’s books, podcasts and for film/TV. His most recent novels include Whisper Down the Lane and The Remaking. Please visit him at: www.claymcleodchapman.com.

Desirèe Dabney 
NextUP RVA Program Coordinator

Desirèe Dabney (she/her) (B.F.A, M.Ed) is a professional actor, singer, director, and teacher, as well as the executive director of Theatre Diva Productions in Richmond, VA. She has recently been seen in a National Commercial for Google, Everybody (Love) at Cadence Theatre, Times Square Angel at Richmond Triangle Players, Warm (Ensemble) a Firehouse Theatre production, Quill Theatre's Taming of the Shrew (Hortensio), University Of Richmond's Caroline or Change (Caroline), Quill Theatre's Red Velvet (Connie) and Virginia Repertory's production of Pinkalicious (Dr. Wink) and more. Desirèe received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Shenandoah Conservatory in 2014.  She has been in over 100 productions including commercials, films, TV Shows (Apple TV and CBS), musicals, and plays. Professor Dabney is Head of Musical Theatre at Virginia Commonwealth University, Board Member of Virginia Theatre Association, Board Member of Richmond Triangle Players, Board Member of Yes & And Theatre, Owner and Executive Director of Theatre Diva Productions, and on the board for Fine Arts Education (Theatre) Virginia Department of Education. 

Michael Duni
Film & Video Production Team Member and Mentor

Michael Duni (he/him) is a director and filmmaker who has worked on projects for Netflix, PBS, AMC, Amazon and others. At 28, Michael directed his first feature film, The King of Crimes, and is currently in pre-production on his second. Outside of features, Michael’s short films, casting work, and cinematography have received international acclaim at festivals and mainstream theaters alike. Michael has also directed two stage plays, and has been tasked by distributors to re-imagine how plays are filmed for broadcast. He hopes his unique understanding of both film and theatre can help create storytelling experiences that elevate and combine both art forms. Michael is extremely excited to be a new addition to the STAGE WRITE team.

Heather Falks
STAGE WRITE Instructor, NextUp RVA Instructor

Heather Falks (she/her) is a civic-minded theatre artist and educator that is proud to be a part of Cadence Theatre Company’s STAGE WRITE faculty. Heather received her MFA in theatre pedagogy from Virginia Commonwealth University and a BFA in directing from Texas State University. Heather has worked in the Richmond community as a director, actor and teaching artist for over thirteen years. In addition to her teaching responsibilities with STAGE WRITE, Heather is an adjunct professor for the Winning Presentations course at VCU in the School of Business and the Program Director for SPARC’s New Voices for the Theatre.

Denise Folley
NextUP RVA Instructor

Denise Folley (she/her) is a Charlottesville native, currently studying at VCU for her MFA in Theatre with a concentration in Performance Pedagogy. She obtained her BA in Theatre Arts from Davis & Elkins College in 2018. Since her departure from undergrad, Folley has been able to teach theatre outside her hometown at The Old Brick Playhouse Company, Stagedoor Manor, and Arkansas Repertory Theatre. Since moving back to Charlottesville, she has made herself busy by acting in shows with Live Arts and Charlottesville Player Guild, directing shows with DMR ADVENTURES, teaching classes with Empowered Players, and acting as the Assistant Theatre Director at Charlottesville High School, while and working as the Program Assistant with the Boys & Girls Club of Central Virginia. Denise is the current Co-Chair for the Theatre of Youth division with the Virginia Theatre Association. 

Brendan Kennedy
STAGE WRITE Instructor

Brendan Kennedy (he/him) is a Richmond native and a graduate of Shenandoah Conservatory, where he earned his BFA in Musical Theatre. Brendan spent the last 10 years at SPARC teaching classes, directing productions and camps, and helping manage and create programming throughout the organization. Brendan sees the arts as more than just a career or a hobby, but rather a way of life. Connection, truth, and vulnerability are not only characteristics of compelling storytelling, but also of great humans. He looks forward to helping youth continue to tell their most authentic story.

TeDarryl Perry
NextUP RVA Instructor

TeDarryl Perry (they/them) is a professional actor, singer and teaching artist based in the Richmond area. He was most recently seen in the Mid-Atlantic debut of Matthew Lopez’ Tony Award-Winning epic play The Inheritance with the Richmond Triangle Players. Some of TeDarryl’s other theatre credits include: Kiss Me, Kate (Harry/Baptista), They’re Playing Our Song (Voice/Phil), The Little Mermaid (Sebastian), Corpus Christi (Simon; RTCC Artsie nominee: Best Ensemble Acting), Fences (Gabriel), Art (Yvan), True West (Austin), Our Town (Mr. West), Andre’s Mother (Cal). Film: When, Where, How (George). Virginia State University Graduate (MA: Media Management); (BA: Communications/Drama). An arts educator and social advocate, TeDarryl also serves on the Board of Directors of the Theater Company at Fort Lee. SUPPORT COMMUNITY THEATRE! Black Lives Matter.

Alexyn Scheller
Film & Video Production Team Member and Mentor

Alexyn C. Scheller (he/him), born and raised in New Jersey, began his work with Cadence in 2021. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Rutgers University and M.B.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University and currently works as a Senior Brand Manager for Procter & Gamble. When not working on building and managing brands, Alexyn owns and operates a photo and video editing business (aptly named Alexyn & Video), a side passion project he's had for over a decade. A self-described film geek, he got involved with Cadence after volunteering to help film drone footage for a project in early 2021. After working on several projects with Cadence, he came on as a board member where he can bring his love of film and branding together. Outside of volunteering and work, Alexyn enjoys traveling, mentoring, and building forts with his son. Alexyn currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with his wonderful wife Jennifer Scheller and amazing son Cassian Scheller where he sometimes explores the far reaches of space and time.

Chayla Simpson
NextUp RVA Instructor

Chayla Simpson (she/her) is a Director, Executive Producer, and Actress from Richmond, VA. She graduated from Henrico High Schools’ Center for the Arts theater studies program in 2014 and the illustrious Howard University with a B.A in Film Production and Theater Arts in 2018. Chayla is currently teaching theater with Richmond Public Schools and Richmond Parks and Recreation. 

Shalandis Wheeler Smith
STAGE WRITE Instructor

Shalandis Wheeler Smith (she/her) is a native of Petersburg, VA and currently resides in Richmond, VA. She received her BA in Psychology and English with emphasis in Theatre from Norfolk State University. Shalandis has previous experience as a Mental Health and Therapeutic Day Treatment Counselor. Currently, Shalandis is a local actress and a Production Manager for The Heritage Ensemble Theatre Company. Her joy for acting has led to her to being cast in many local commercials, films and various theatre's around Richmond. Shalandis loves spending time with her family and friends as well as supporting the arts.

2023 - 2024 Intern Company

Kiyah Burrell-Junius

Kiyah Burrell-Junius (she/her) is currently attending Brightpoint Community College pursuing an associate’s degree in visual arts specializing in film. Kiyah would like to have a career in the film industry in the future. She loves to volunteer, act, and work behind the scenes as a cinematographer on a film set. She is very excited to start her first year as an intern for Cadence!

Yuna Chen

Yuna Chen (she/her) is a senior at Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School. She is the Head of the school’s Sound Department and Tech Department. She is participating in a mentorship program through school to study the history and effect of sound and lights. She has helped run multiple school shows, assemblies, and concerts. This is her third year being involved with tech and hopes to continue her studies in the future at the University of Pennsylvania.

Terra Comer

Terra Comer (she/her) received a BA in Film/TV from Clark Atlanta University, where she acted in various productions and directed her first short film. Terra has also trained in New York at the Bill Esper Studio and in LA with Meisner instructor Anthony Montes. She aspires to start her own theatre company one day. She is thrilled to work as an intern at Cadence!

Jackson Floyd

Jackson Floyd (he/they) is a first year VCU student studying theatre and pre-medicine. He has years of experience in theatre - from acting, directing, and technical roles - Jackson has done it all! He looks forward to new experiences through Cadence!

Maggie Higginbotham

Maggie Higginbotham (she/her) is a recent honors graduate from Emory University with degrees in theater studies and English/creative writing. Maggie has directed plays and established various theatre events on campus. Since her time at Emory, Maggie has co-founded an online theatrical production company, F-Squared. Maggie is excited to produce great theatre with the Cadence Theatre Company!

Daniel Kunkel

Daniel Kunkel (he/him) is an educator, director, writer, and podcaster currently living in Charlottesville. Daniel has experience producing and developing plays, podcasts, and videos. He is currently pursuing his master's in social work at Virginia Commonwealth University. When not involved in school or theatre, he enjoys spending time with his fiancé and their three cats.

El Markee

El Markee (any pronouns) is a graduate of Thomas Dale High School’s Center for the Arts, and is currently taking a gap year before pursuing an education in theatrical design. They’ve both acted and volunteered with Cadence before, and are elated to be back. When not busy with theatre projects or work, he enjoys spending time with family and making art, be it crafts, cosplay, or drawing.

Camryn Royal

Camryn Royal (she/her) is a dedicated writer, actor, and filmmaker based in Richmond, VA. She has a penchant for writing character-driven narratives steeped in universal truths that encapsulate the complexities of the human experience. She is motivated by the intersection of art and social change and hopes to contribute to global equity through her work. She intends to expand the perception of blackness in art and media by fostering tenderness on screen.