He studied acting at York University between 1982 and 1986, working as a dresser at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival during summer breaks.

Taking on the mantle of artistic director and designer, Richards honed a style of visual comedy which would inform later works.

Initially thought of as a vehicle for the BoHo Girls, Molly Wood developed into a full-length theatrical production after the depth of the subject matter was fully researched.

Following the break-up of the BoHo Girls, Richards began collaborating with a group of Toronto comedians, Lisa Lambert, Paul O'Sullivan and Jonathan Crombie among them, whose efforts produced a series of mini-musicals.

In 2018, Richards and co-writer Gordon Bowness mounted a Toronto Fringe Festival musical production of "The Ding Dong Girls" with songs by Lisa Lambert at the Factory Theatre.