Meet the Team

Board of Directors

Robin E. Walker

President


  • Robin Walker (she/her) moved to Richmond in 2006 after obtaining her law degree from William & Mary Law School and resides in Byrd Park. Robin practices law at McQuade Law Group, handling all types of commercial real estate matters.  A proud graduate of the University of Alabama (Roll Tide!), she is a devoted college football fan.  Robin has been a theatregoer since early childhood, when her mother began taking her to high school performances, and now makes it a point to see as many productions as possible in Richmond, along with the trips to Washington DC and NYC several times a year.  When not watching football or at the theatre, Robin loves to read, do jigsaw puzzles, take dance classes, try out new restaurants, and spend time with her friends.  Robin is honored and delighted to be involved with Cadence and the fantastic work they do.

Ren Klinovskiy

Vice President

  • Ren (she/her) is an attorney at Wimbish Gentile McCray & Roeber PLLC in Richmond, where she defends medical providers in malpractice actions and regulatory matters. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Linguistics and English from the University of Georgia and a law degree from the University of Richmond, and her background includes trauma-informed care, crisis counseling, and family law. Ren lives in Richmond with her husband and their three cats. In her leisure time, she likes to go to rock concerts, hike, play Dungeons & Dragons—and, of course, take in as much theatre as she can.

Emily Knerr

Treasurer

  • Emily (she/her) is a CPA and a Senior Tax Associate at Brown Edwards. She graduated from the University of Mary Washington where she was also a member of both the Cross Country and Track & Field teams. She was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, and grew up in Short Pump with her parents, two younger siblings, and their many cats. She still enjoys running in her free time. She especially enjoys participating in the Richmond Half Marathon and the Monument Avenue 10k. She loves exploring Richmond by running, walking, or visiting new restaurants.

Anna Starnes Blair

Secretary

  • Anna (she/her) is passionate about education, the arts, and connecting members of the community to opportunities for creative expression. An alum of Vanderbilt University, Anna majored in American Studies and performed in a student-run musical theater organization. Since 2009, Anna has performed in a few local musicals and with local bands. She also previously taught at Anna Julia Cooper Episcopal School but left teaching to care for her two young children. In joining Cadence, Anna is looking forward to getting even more involved in the local theater scene and theater education.

Virginia Bertholet

Board Member

  • Virginia Bertholet, originally from Staunton, discovered her passion for visual storytelling in a film class. After earning a B.S. in Mass Communications from VCU, she worked in New York, Los Angeles, and beyond before returning to Virginia. Her career spans movie development, independent production, work with The Martin Agency, and the Virginia Film Office, with projects ranging from documentaries to social media campaigns. Her work—both for clients and her own—has earned more than 100 awards. A former faculty member at VCU and GMU, Virginia taught film production and the business of filmmaking, and she continues to mentor emerging filmmakers. She also serves on the board of Women in Film & Video / DC.

Lauren Leinhaas-Cook

Board Member

  • Lauren (she/her) has been acting and singing professionally in Richmond for over 40 years. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Applied Voice/Vocal Performance from VCU. Lauren’s has served three terms on the Vestry of St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church as Chair of the Hospitality Committee and a member of the Outreach, Music and Fundraising Committees, and one term on the Board of St. Thomas’ Day School. Currently, she is a volunteer chef with Lasagna Love, a global nonprofit that provides homemade meals to families in need. Her passions include cooking, entertaining, travel, gardening, reading and spending time with her family and friends.

Christopher Corts

Board Member

  • Christopher (he/him) is currently a Visiting Professor of Legal Research & Writing at the University of Virginia School of Law. Since joining the UVA Law faculty, he has co-founded and co-facilitated a number of educational programs. An appellate attorney licensed by the State of Florida, he has argued cases before the Florida Supreme Court, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. He holds a B.A. in Music and Theatre from Otterbein College, an M.A. in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a J.D. from the University of Virginia. A professional actor for over thirty years, he is a proud member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA.

Rachel Scott Everett

Board Member

  • Rachel Scott Everett is a Richmond native and Co-Founder & Creative Director of EVERGIB, a nomadic creative studio she runs with her husband, serving clients locally and beyond. A graduate of James Madison University and the VCU Brandcenter, she has built her career on the belief that creativity can be used as a force for good to improve the world we live in. Rachel is a lifelong advocate of the performing arts – from her early involvement with SPARC and Richmond Ballet, to playing violin, performing and teaching dance, and later, interning with The Society of London Theatre. Based in The Fan, she is honored to be considered for a board position with Cadence Theatre, and looks forward to supporting its mission and championing the performing arts in the Richmond community.

Sommer Ashleigh Jordan

Board Member

  • Sommer Ashleigh Jordan (she/her) is a theatre teacher in Richmond City Public Schools. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Archaeology from Randolph-Macon College and a Master of Divinity from Union Presbyterian Seminary. During her time at Randolph-Macon, Sommer had the opportunity to act, direct, write, and stage manage various productions. Raised by educators, including her parents, aunts, and maternal grandmother, Sommer has developed a strong sense of empathy and compassion. She is dedicated to serving her communities, with a particular focus on today’s youth. In her free time, Sommer cherishes moments spent with her daughter, siblings, father, and friends.

Tina Kierzek

Board Member

  • Tina Kierzek was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania. After college, she moved to Washington, D.C., where she began her career in meeting planning, corporate events, and association management, later becoming an agent at a top D.C. speakers’ bureau. Since relocating to Richmond in 2004, she has worked in sales, executive staffing, and event planning for a local law firm. Tina’s connection to theatre began in high school community productions and grew through her board service with a small theatre in Dupont Circle. In Richmond, she has supported SPARC, Cadence, and her son’s high school theatre program. As her son prepares to graduate, Tina looks forward to dedicating more time to Cadence Theatre and helping it continue to grow and thrive.

Elliott Lau

Board Member

  • Elliott Lau, a native of Matoaca, Virginia, found his way into theatre as a child through community productions and SPARC performances. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University and became a familiar presence onstage at Richmond Triangle Players and Virginia Rep before moving to Los Angeles in 2013. There, he pursued acting while working as a barista, eventually writing and producing a play at the Hollywood Fringe Festival. In 2020, Elliott shifted his focus to entrepreneurship, purchasing Nice Coffee, a café he helped open in 2017. Over the past five years, he has grown the business and launched Nice Coffee Roasters, channeling his creativity into building a sustainable, community-minded company. Elliott credits Richmond’s theatre community with shaping both his artistic and personal life, and he is eager to give back to the community that raised him.

Dana Martin Richardson

Board Member

  • Although trained as a lawyer, Dana Martin Richardson (she/her) enjoys teaching both public school and classes for adults on religion, political issues and social justice. As a “hobby”, she has also served as Music Director for three middle school musicals and has taught Musical Theater in Chesterfield’s Extended Day Summer School programs. Dana has a strong commitment to Equity and Inclusion and conducts training in LGBTQ Inclusion and racial equity and reconciliation. Dana has Bachelors Degrees in Political Science and Sociology from Virginia Tech and a JD from Temple University.

Michael Sanabria

  • Michael Sanabria is a director, producer, and editor, and the founder of Kingbird Studios, an award-winning production and post-production company dedicated to cinematic storytelling across film, television, and branded content. He began his career in Puerto Rico, directing, producing, and editing music videos, short films, and commercials, while also working as an audio engineer. Michael later joined ESPN, where he specialized in production and post-production for documentaries and short- and long-form features on acclaimed shows such as E:60, SC Featured, Outside the Lines, NFL Countdown, and College Gameday, as well as global events like the FIFA World Cup.
    After ESPN, he brought his storytelling expertise to NBCUniversal, contributing to hundreds of features and multiple full-length documentaries, including coverage of major golf championships and multiple Olympic Games. His work has been honored with four Emmy Awards, New York Festivals medals, PromaxBDA Awards, and Imagen Awards, among other recognitions. Today, as the creative force behind Kingbird Studios, Michael continues to craft authentic, visually compelling stories that connect with audiences everywhere. He lives a life full of creativity and love alongside his beautiful wife and two daughters.

Board Member

Mary Dunne Stewart

Board Member

  • Mary Dunne Stewart is the founding CEO of Greater Richmond Fit4Kids, a regional nonprofit dedicated to improving children’s wellness through physical activity and healthy eating. She leads the organization in program development, evaluation, fundraising, and strategic management. With a strong background in policy and advocacy, Mary has dedicated her career to improving children’s futures. She lives in Midlothian with her husband, John, and their two dogs, and together they are the proud parents of two college students.

Tom Topinka

Board Member

  • Tom Topinka is a 35-year corporate communications and public relations veteran of six Fortune 500 companies, including three Fortune 20 organizations. He held communications leadership roles for 20 years, including managing a staff of 30, before moving to individual contributor status in the early 2000s. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Communications for Genworth Financial. Since 2016, he has served as principal of his own consulting firm, Topinka Executive Communications, LLC.
    Tom is also a skilled photographer and is well known in Richmond for his production and marketing work with numerous theater companies, corporations, and non-profits. As a public relations professional, he has conducted hundreds of media training sessions with senior leaders and subject matter experts. He has talked to thousands of reporters, participated in hundreds of interviews, and has been quoted in The New York Times, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, Associated Press, and countless national, regional, and industry trade publications.
    During his career, Tom has served on a variety of community boards, including the Richmond Performing Arts Alliance (RPAA), School for the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community (SPARC), Richmond Arts Council, TheatreVirginia, Richmond Public Schools Strategic Planning Group, The Richmond Forum, the Central Virginia Foodbank, TheatreLAB, and Jewish Family Services. Most recently, he served as an Advisory Panelist and Grant Application Reviewer for the Virginia Commission for the Arts.
    Tom was born in Wisconsin and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism with a photography emphasis and a music minor from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. He began his career as a newspaper reporter and then moved into the corporate world as a communications specialist. He has lived and worked in Richmond, Virginia, since 1987.

Heather Waters

Board Member

  • Heather Waters is a producer, director, and CEO known for her visionary leadership in film, music, and the arts. She is the Founder and Producer of the Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF), one of the largest on the East Coast; Co-Founder of Creative World Awards, a bi-coastal development company serving writers worldwide; and President of the RIFF Arts Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to artist development. She also created The Indie MIX, a web platform that connects creators, facilitates project funding, and streamlines production management. As a filmmaker, Heather’s work spans narratives and documentaries, with her recent projects including YOYOs (currently in post-production), A Mother’s Promise (multi-award-winning short), and the upcoming feature Gadfly (2027). She frequently collaborates with international embassies on co-production and cultural exchange programs. A sought-after consultant and speaker, Heather advises businesses and creative professionals on strategic growth and industry innovation. She studied film at Georgia State University and holds a B.A. and M.A. in International Relations with a specialization in the Middle East. Heather resides in Richmond with her daughter, Jaika, and pup, Koda. Companies -- Richmond International Film Festival: www.rvafilmfestival.com, RIFF Arts Institute: www.riffartsinstitute.org, The Indie MIX: www.theindiemix.com and Creative World Awards: www.creativeworldawards.com.

Cindy Creasy Woolfolk

Board Member

  • Cindy (she/her) is an advertising and public relations executive offering support to the entertainment industry, small businesses, and local organizations that enrich our community. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications from Virginia Commonwealth University with a specialization in advertising. Cindy founded Creasy Woolfolk Concepts and has representing local, regional, and national brands for over 30 years. She also served as an adjunct professor at VCU in the School of Media and Culture. Throughout the years Cindy has served on multiple boards with varied interests, from the environment and education to women in business and support of cancer patients.

Administrative

Anna Senechal Johnson

Founding Artistic Director,
Ex-Officio Board Member

  • Anna Senechal Johnson, (she/her) is the founding Artistic 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. She oversees professional live theatre and film projects, new work, marketing, volunteer recruitment, administration, publicity, and some educational programming, such as Cadence’s Jammin’ Camps and Fall and Winter R & P Programs. In her spare time, Anna enjoys traveling to the American West, going to the theatre and ballet, watching movies, jogging, and spending time with her family, friends, and pets.

Laine Satterfield

Associate Artistic Director

  • Laine (she/her) is an award-winning theatre artist who has performed in, choreographed, directed, taught, and devised theatre both nationally and internationally. She holds a BFA from TSOA at NYU and has trained at the University of Eurasian Theatre, Stella Adler, Carnegie Mellon, and University College London. Laine has taught at several universities and various workshops in the U.S. and abroad. She founded the NYC-based theatre group World 3 and also toured Europe with the international theatre group, Linea Trasversale. Laine believes theatre has the power to hold a mirror up to ourselves and our place in society. She assists with professional artistic programs and oversees TRAIN, STAGE WRITE, Adult Acting Classes, the Pipeline New Works Retreat, the Summer R & P Program, and the Cadence Cabaret. Laine also serves as Cadence’s Accessibility Coordinator. 

Omiyẹmi (Artisia) Green

Sitelines BLM Program Director

  • Omiyẹmi Green (she/her) is the originator and Program Director for Cadence Sitelines BLM as well as a theater professor at William & Mary. 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 is a W&M Provost Faculty Fellow. 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, and an Arts & Sciences Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence.

Jill Porcelli

Bookkeeper, HR Associate

  • Jill Porcelli (she/her) has been part of Cadence Theatre Company since 2018 and currently serves as Bookkeeper & HR Associate. She supports the organization's financial and administrative operations, helping ensure everything behind the scenes runs smoothly so Cadence can focus on creating exceptional theatre.

    Originally from Long Island, New York, Jill graduated from Randolph-Macon College in 2011 and earned her Master of Accounting from DeVry University in 2026. She has built her career supporting nonprofit organizations through accounting, finance, human resources, operations, and financial leadership, bringing a well-rounded perspective and a passion for mission-driven work to Cadence.

    Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, their two toddlers, and two energetic huskies. Although you'll never find her on stage, Jill is proud to support the arts from behind the scenes, helping ensure Cadence can continue bringing exceptional theatre to the community.

Maggie Higginbotham

Virtual Programs Assistant 

  • 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!

Terra Comer

Production Assistant

  • 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 for Cadence! 

Anjali Sharma

Administrative & Programs Assistant

  • Anjali Sharma is a multi-hyphenate artist and creative. Graduating from James Madison University (JMU) with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Theatre (Performance) and Media Arts and Design (Creative Advertising), she has worked in a multitude of positions spanning these two fields. Anjali served as the Publicity and Media Manager for the School of Theatre and Dance (STAD) at JMU during her time as a student there, assisting production publicity for over 11 productions. For several years, Anjali has also worked as a teacher for Cadence and thoroughly enjoys working with children. Anjali is thrilled to continue her postgraduate career in this position with Cadence!

Marketing

Emma Roth

Webmaster

  • Even before she picked up a flute or guitar for the first time, Emma (she/her) had an immense appreciation for the arts. After obtaining her BA in Media from Indiana University in May of 2024, she moved to Richmond and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Business/Branding at VCU Brandcenter with a concentration in copywriting. Emma spends much of her free time jamming to a variety of music or binge-watching countless shows. Her favorite film genre is psychological horror, and her favorite Broadway show (so far) is The Book of Mormon. Check out her portfolio at emmacopy.com

Liv Wilson

Communications Associate

  • Liv Wilson (she/they) is a dramaturg, playwright, librettist, and theatre maker based out of Washington, D.C. Their work has been seen at The Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center, The Premiere Theatre Playwriting Competition, and a few universities. 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. 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.

Sara Krivanec

Social Media & Comm. Associate

  • Sara Krivanec (she/her) is a proud supporter of the Richmond arts community and brings her love of administrative work to Cadence. 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 work as a Certified Doula and through her appreciation of the various jobs women perform in this world! The arts hold a special place in her family’s heart, whether it’s music, performing or visual arts. Sara loves reading mysteries and political books, watching her youngest son play soccer, and visiting the Outer Banks with her family.

Jason Collins

Photographer

  • Jason Collins (he/him) has spent most of his life living in central Virginia. He 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. 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. You can see more of Jason's work at www.jasoncollinsphoto.com.

Julie Basinski

Graphic Designer

  • From concept to completion, and paint to pixels, Julie Basinski is a seasoned graphic designer and marketing consultant with a passion for all things creative. She specializes in translating a company’s voice into visually compelling and functional designs that bring brands to life. Julie’s diverse portfolio spans industries including book publishing, real estate, event promotion, and education. While she enjoys the variety in her work, she holds a special appreciation for projects within the educational and nonprofit sectors—where storytelling and purpose intersect in powerful ways. With a keen eye for detail and a collaborative spirit, Julie helps her clients not just stand out visually, but connect meaningfully with audiences.

Kyle Larsen

Social Media Assistant

  • Kyle Larsen (he/him) is a VCU student and a passionate actor with experience in both theatre and film. He has appeared in various films, including a modern adaptation of Pippin, The Taylows, and SportsStar for Columbia University. He draws motivation from the memory of his late best friend, whose influence plays a key role in his pursuit of acting. Kyle loves spending time with his family, friends, and pets—his dogs and cat, who bring him joy and balance. He believes in the power of storytelling through acting and how it can touch lives and create change.

Alyssa Abielmona

Social Media Assistant

  • Alyssa Abielmona (she/her) is a student at VCUarts, where she is pursuing dual degrees in Musical Theatre and Communications. Her passion for theatre began in middle school, and she quickly fell in love with the art form. Her stage credits include Chicago (Roxie), Cinderella (Ensemble), and most recently, VCU’s production of The Crucible. Alongside her work on stage, Alyssa discovered a love for videography in high school, creating promotional videos for her school’s productions. Now in college, she brings that passion to Cadence, helping to promote its vibrant programs and events.

Caroline Emily Johnson

Social Media Assistant, Playbill Designer

  • Caroline (she/her) attends Missouri State University, where she is pursuing her BFA in Acting for Stage and Screen, a Minor in Dance, and a Certificate in Acting on Camera. Outside of the program, she is a member of A Cub Bella, an all-treble competitive a cappella group, and won Best Soloist at the International Championship for Collegiate A Cappella. Additionally, she is a member of the Diamond Girls, a selective dance team that cheers for her school’s D1 baseball team. She has worked closely with Cadence since its founding and credits them for her immense love for the arts.

Education & Training

Erica Arvold

TRAIN Instructor

  • Erica (she/her) has been an educator, guest instructor, and speaker for over 20 years. In 2010, Erica founded arvold.education with the goal of raising the bar for all film artists through training and collaboration. As the daughter of a professor, Erica believes that we are and will always be students of one another, a belief that was shaped and molded by her years at The Theatre School, DePaul University (formerly The Goodman School of Drama), which has manifested into a deep love of craft and a belief in formal training as a means to consistent, constant artistic growth.

Bob Bartlett

Pipeline New Works Retreat Mentor

  • Bob Bartlett is an affiliated artist with the National New Play Network and a member of the Dramatists Guild of America. Bob has produced his own site-specific work, including Accident Bear in the Avenue Laundromat in Downtown Annapolis and Lýkos ánthrōpos in a wooded clearing in the middle of the woods on a Maryland farm and at historic Congressional Cemetery in DC. Bob earned his MFA in Playwriting at Catholic University of America, and he is a longtime member of the theatre faculty at Bowie State University in Maryland, where he teaches playwriting, screenwriting, dramatic literature and theory. He is also a founding member of The Welders, a Washington, DC-based, producing playwrights collective. More at bob-bartlett.com.

Taylor Bernard

Arts Education Specialist

  • Taylor Bernard has a BFA in Theatre Education at VCU and an MA in Educational Theatre from NYU. She teaches Theatre at the Specialty Center for the Performing Arts at Thomas Dale High School. Taylor was awarded Virginia 2024 Theatre Teacher of the Year, 2023 All-County Theatre Sponsor of the Year, and several VTA and VHSL Directing Awards. She has worked for organizations like the Virginia Theatre Association and VARep, among others. She also spent time studying and making theatre abroad, largely focused on devising community-engaged and site-specific work. Some of her favorite directing credits include The Laramie Project, I Never Saw Another Butterfly, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and the world premier of Croaker. She also enjoys costuming and her curriculum has even appeared on Broadway!

Danny Caporaletti

Film & Video Production Mentor, Instructor

  • 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 and NewOrleans&Me. 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 events like Weihnachts Christmas Film Festival and Awesome Con Short Film Festival. He currently works as a freelance director and teaches film production in the VCUarts Cinema Department at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Anne Chapman

TRAIN Instructor

  • Anne's (she/her) casting credits include Lincoln, Loving, Big Stone Gap, Harriet, Juanita, over 200 short films, commercials, PSAs, and museum films. She holds a BA in Theatre/Film and a Master's in Cinema, and was a 2018-2019 visiting scholar at the University of Cambridge. Nominated for the CSA’s Artios Awards three times, Anne is a member of the Casting Society, BAFTA, the BIFA Performance Nominations Subgroup, and the Television Academy. She has been an adjunct instructor in the VCUarts Cinema program since 2007. Anne believes in illuminating the path for upcoming talent, and delights in watching their careers progress.

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.

Pam Connolly

Youth Art Director



  • Pam is a passionate and experienced visual art educator with a diverse background in arts instruction, live performance, and creative leadership. Her journey has included inspiring roles such as Teaching Artist and Props Designer for SPARC, Art Teacher at Tuckahoe Montessori School, and Camp Art Director. She currently serves as an Adaptive Art Teacher in Chesterfield County Public Schools, specializing in inclusive and accessible arts education for all learners. In addition, she is the Art Director for Cadence’s educational programs, where she helps bridge the worlds of visual and performing arts through curriculum development, artist support, and community engagement.With a strong foundation in both studio practice and arts integration, Pam brings a collaborative, student-centered approach to every classroom, studio, and stage she works on.

Paul Dandridge

TRAIN Instructor

  • Paul Dandridge (he/him) is a faculty member at Richmond Ballet and a full time Teaching Artist with its Community Engagement program, Minds In Motion. Paul received his dance training from the School of Richmond Ballet as well as Indiana University’s Ballet Theatre program and has performed works by some of the dance world’s greatest choreographers. Recently, Paul has performed more on the musical theater stage as Nelius, the dancing statue in Mary Poppins, and as A-Rab, in West Side Story, both with Virginia Repertory Theatre. He is thrilled to be on the TRAIN team.

Michael Duni

Film & Video Production Mentor, Instructor

  • 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. 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. 

Juliana Caycedo

Instructor

  • Juliana Caycedo (she/her) is a Richmond-based actor, writer, and director. Her directing credits include Assistant Director for Kelsey Cordrey’s production of Straight White Men (TheatreLAB), Assistant Director for Rusty Wilson’s production of Native Gardens (Cadence), and most recently her solo directorial debut, Sanctuary City (5th Wall Theatre), for which she was nominated for Best Director by the Richmond Theatre Critics Circle.

    Juliana has appeared on stage in Richmond as Lulu in Between Riverside and Crazy (Cadence in partnership with Virginia Rep), Zoe in An Octoroon (TheatreLAB), Li’l Bit in How I Learned to Drive (TheatreLAB), Dromio of Syracuse in The Comedy of Errors (Richmond Shakespeare), Jean in POTUS (Virginia Rep), and Yazmin in Water by the Spoonful (Firehouse Theatre).

    She was selected as a playwriting fellow for Cadence’s Pipeline New Works Program in 2023–2024.

    In her free time, Juliana enjoys playing music, being outdoors, and watching movies.

    She would like to thank her friends, her beloved husband Daniel, and their rescue dog Lenny for their endless love and support of her work.

Jana Farrell

TRAIN Instructor

  • Jana (she/her) has a BFA in Musical Theatre from Boston Conservatory and an MFA in Acting Performance from VCU. While a Graduate Student at VCU, Jana performed several roles at the former Theatre Virginia. While she has fond memories of her New York City days, touring and acting in regional theatre, Jana now enjoys directing and teaching Speech & Drama in Chesterfield County Public Schools. She has been teaching middle- and high-school students since 2009, directing and choreographing many musicals and plays. Jana has developed a strong working relationship with award-winning playwright Brian Hampton. In 2018 Jana and Brian collaborated on the world premiere of USERNAME.

Yolanda Macias-Cottrell

STAGE WRITE Instructor

  • Yolanda Macias-Cottrell (she/her) moved to the Richmond area in 2023 after she and her husband retired from the U.S. State Department. As a spouse of a U.S. diplomat, she lived in Venezuela, the Philippines, Russia, South Africa, and Canada. During her time overseas, she was involved in numerous volunteer activities. Yolanda was born in Guadalajara, Mexico and has a certificate in Management of Tourism Enterprises. Yolanda loves to travel and enjoys going to the theater, ballet, and movies. Most of all, she enjoys spending time with friends and family.

Jeni Mahoney

Pipeline New Works Retreat Mentor

  • Jeni is a playwright, director, dramaturg, teacher, new play development geek and Founder of Seven Devils New Play Foundry, and their esteemed Playwrights Conference, where she served as Producing Artistic Director for 23 years and was instrumental in the development of over 260 new American plays. Inducted into the IndieTheatre Hall of Fame in 2014, Jeni is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America and the National Theatre Conference (where she served on the Board for six years). She currently serves on the Board of Open Sky, Fleischer Studios, and Seven Devils New Play Foundry, as an Honorary Board Member. Jeni also teaches at Stonecoast, the University of Southern Maine's low-residency MFA in Creative Writing Program. More at jenimahoney.com.

Jason Marks

TRAIN Instructor

  • Jason (he/him) is a mainstay of the Richmond theater scene, having performed on local stages as well as across the country in musicals and stage productions. Mr. Marks is an award-winning actor, singer, and cabaret artist. He has performed solo concert work with the Richmond Symphony and the Washington National Symphony and Chorus. For a decade, he served as the resident music director for the children's touring department of Virginia Rep and has been commissioned to write several new stage works for VA Rep. An experienced educator, Jason has taught for local youth arts organizations for almost 20 years.

Stephen Rudlin

TRAIN College Prep Instructor

  • As a music director and vocal coach with numerous clients accepted to top conservatories and Broadway stages, Stephen holds a B.A. in Theatre from the College of William & Mary, completed a Musical Theatre Vocal Intensive at Manhattan School of Music, and earned a certificate in classical piano and vocal accompaniment from Catholic University. His credits include The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Sound of Music, Cabaret, Les Misérables, Into the Woods, to name a few. His concert and cabaret appearances include A Capitol 4th at Firehouse Theatre, the White House Gala for Austria at The Kennedy Center, The National Theatre, The Smithsonian, and Ford’s Theatre. He also serves as an artist in residence with Richmond Public Schools and Thomas Dale Specialty Center. 

Denise Simone

Associate Artist, Instructor, NNPN Liaison

  • 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. Between 1996 and 2016, Denise served as Company of Fools’ Co-Producing Artistic Director. She also served as a commissioner for the Idaho Commission on the Arts and as a panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts. Denise 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.

Alexyn Scheller

Film & Video Production Mentor, Instructor

  • 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. Alexyn also owns and operates a photo and video editing business, Alexyn & Video, a side passion project he's had for over a decade. Outside of volunteering and work, Alexyn enjoys traveling, mentoring, building forts with his son, and exploring the far reaches of space and time.

Rebecca Wahls

Instructor

  • Rebecca Wahls (she/her) directs, writes, and produces film, theatre, and new media. Her first feature film, Him, played at festivals across the country, winning multiple awards, and is available to stream on Amazon. She has served as Artistic Associate for Acting for Young People since 2015, where she has directed and written over 50 plays for children. She recently completed a year as Artist in Residence at Duke University. Recent credits include Romeo and Juliet (Catskill Mountain Shakespeare); The Play That Goes Wrong and The Cottage (Cumberland Theatre); Annie and Pippin (Cadence), and GOOD (Duke University, original work). Next up, she will direct Cadence and Firehouse Theatre’s 2026 production of WitchDuck, a new play by Eva DeVirgilis. MFA, Carnegie Mellon University (John Wells Fellow). BFA, George Mason University. She is also a TEDx speaker. rebeccawahls.com

Rusty Wilson

Associate Artist, Instructor

  • Rusty Wilson (he/him) is a theatre artist and teacher who has directed a number of critically acclaimed productions for Cadence since 2005. Previously, Rusty spent ten years serving as the Founding Artistic Director for Company of Fools. 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. 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.

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 theatres around Richmond. Shalandis loves spending time with her family and friends as well as supporting the arts.