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Cadence Dodd as White Rabbit in 'Shrek: The Musical"
Photo Credentials: Allen High School's Yearbook Club
After Cadence Dodd’s debut performance in Emma: A Pop Musical at Curtis Middle School in Allen, Texas, she briefly continued her passion for the performing arts at Lowery Freshman Center and Allen High School. There, she primarily performed as part of the ensemble in productions such as Beauty and the Beast (2022) and Shrek: The Musical (2023). It was during this time that she discovered a deep love for dance in all its forms. Initially enrolling in a beginner-level dance class to fulfill a physical education requirement, Cadence quickly realized her natural talent for jazz and hip hop. Her background in acting enhanced her ability to move with musicality and expression, allowing her physicality to align seamlessly with rhythm and choreography.
In 2023, Cadence Dodd relocated to Anna, Texas, where she continued her theatrical studies at Anna High School. Her talents flourished—not only within the ensemble but also in featured and leading roles. In the school’s production of Chicago: Teen Edition, she stood out among the merry murderesses and took on a leadership role as dance captain, guiding her peers through choreography and performance.
Her portrayal of Mona earned praise from Broadway Dallas’s Musical Theatre Evaluation, which noted that “throughout [her] ensemble numbers, [her] acting really made the character [she] portrayed shine,” and that “[her] physicality in acting really caught my attention.” The production received an “Outstanding” rating in both Ensemble and Choreography categories.
In 2024, Cadence landed her first leading role as Matilda “Matty” Blackwell in The Sweet Science of Bruising by Joy Wilkinson. This complex character challenged her acting range, especially as she independently studied an Irish dialect while her castmates focused on British accents. Performed during the UIL One Act Play season in the 4A Division, the production advanced all the way to the State Bound level. Cadence’s performance earned her an All-Star Cast award at the regional competition.
Anna High School's 'The Sweet Science of Bruising' Cast
Photo Credentials: Jennilee Torres
Cadence Dodd’s growth as an actor reached new heights during her senior year. She took on her first classical role as the titular character in Medea, a performance that challenged her to deeply analyze Euripides’s text and interpret it through her own lens. Cadence embraced a guiding principle: make bold, original choices—ones no one has dared before. Rather than portraying Medea as sorrowful and subdued, she infused the character with raw aggression, manic energy, and a touch of dark humor.
Her connection to Medea stemmed from a personal advocacy for feminism and justice. “Of course, Medea takes it to a whole level of punishment that inflicts a lot of misery that I wouldn't go so far as to conjure,” Cadence explains. “Despite this, Medea is the protagonist of this story. There’s an inner defiance and sense of heroism that lies within her.”
Following Medea, Cadence stepped into her first leading role in a musical as Queen Aggravain in Once Upon a Mattress: Youth Edition. This character allowed her to explore vocal dynamics and physical comedy through a delightfully villainous lens. In addition to her performance, she served as a dance captain alongside Karaline Spies and Aliyah Renee, collaborating to choreograph and rehearse musical numbers by dividing responsibilities and leading with creativity and precision.
In 2025, Cadence Dodd portrayed Sarah Siddons in Anna High School’s UIL One-Act Play production of The Actor’s Nightmare by Christopher Durang, which advanced to the District level in District 5A. Her performance earned her two Honorable Mentions for All-Star Cast, with praise for her dynamic character arcs that made her portrayal both believable and hilariously engaging.
Danielle Strausan as Elara in 'A Family's Perspective'
Photo Credentials: Jessi Frames
Cadence’s final senior-year production marked a significant milestone—not as a performer, but as a playwright and director. Her original play, A Family’s Perspective, was inspired by her own home life and the intricate relationships between her parents and siblings. Through this work, she aimed to spotlight the importance of communication within families, encouraging empathy across generations. The play premiered at Anna High School’s Senior Showcase, where Cadence was honored with the Best Student Director Award and named MVP of the Year.
After graduating from Anna High School, Cadence Dodd chose to continue her artistic journey at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, where she is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre with a concentration in Performance and Production. Her commitment to the craft remains strong as she prepares to begin rehearsals for Texas State’s upcoming Mainstage production of Treasure Island, marking her first collegiate performance opportunity.
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