Ethos
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 Theatre Company (Cadence) is a dynamic nonprofit organization based in Richmond, Virginia, dedicated to artistic excellence and community engagement. Cadence began with a production of Sam Shepard’s Fool for Love in a rented space at the Firehouse Theatre and quickly earned recognition for producing exceptional contemporary works that inspire meaningful dialogue and transformation. Between 2011 and 2023, Cadence presented an annual season of plays, musicals, and new works in partnership with Virginia Repertory Theatre, further solidifying its commitment to diverse, impactful storytelling.
Now celebrating its 16th year,
Cadence produces at both the Libby S. Gottwald Playhouse and the Firehouse Theatre and is known for acclaimed theatrical productions, award-winning films, and pioneering new work initiatives such as the Pipeline New Works Program, founded with Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire and novelist, playwright, and screenwriter Clay McLeod Chapman. Cadence is also a proud Associate Member of the National New Play Network and participates in its Rolling World Premiere Program. Through its Pipeline New Works annual retreat, Cadence collaborates with nationally known playwriting mentors Jeni Mahoney and Bob Bartlett to nurture and advance emerging voices in the American theatre.
Cadence has earned several awards,
including many Richmond Theatre Critics Circle Awards, the Dominion Energy ArtStars Award, and program support from the NEA. Its educational programs, including STAGE WRITE, TRAIN, Cadence Camps, year-round Rehearsal & Performance Programs, and Adult Acting Classes, foster creativity, leadership, and empathy, engaging multigenerational audiences and shaping the next generation of artists and changemakers.
We stand with you.
Cadence is committed to creating works that uplift the spirit, challenge the mind, and honor both our individuality and our shared humanity. We work to ensure all of our artists and audiences feel safe, supported, and celebrated.
Land Acknowledgment
Cadence acknowledges that we gather on the ancestral land of the Powhatan people, whose presence and care for this region extends back for countless generations. We honor their enduring relationship with the land and waterways that continue to sustain us. We recognize and respect the Powhatan people as the original stewards of this land, and we commit ourselves to learning from their legacy as we build a more just and inclusive community—honoring the past, present, and future generations of Indigenous peoples in Richmond and beyond.