We all know Shonda Rhimes as a top showrunner and the writer/producer/director extraordinaire behind “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal,” and “How to Get Away with Murder.” And now we’ll know Rhimes by yet another role: patron of the arts. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Shondaland multi-hyphenate has announced her plans to support the LA theater community.
Rhimes recently contributed an undisclosed sum to the IAMA Theatre Company in order “to strengthen LA’s profile as a theater town.” Her contribution — via the Rhimes Family Foundation — will fund programs like the “Rhimes Unsung Voices Playwriting Commission,” “whose aim is to help budding playwrights develop new stagings that have a special emphasis on culturally-inclusive storytelling.”
“I had been missing the world of theater here in L.A.,” Rhimes told the LA Times. “There’s a couple of very nice large theaters, but there’s not a lot of interesting small theater, like you can find in New York. And I was sort of craving it.”
“I think it’s hard for any playwright to find opportunities,” she continued. “If people aren’t being included, then I’m going to find a way to make sure they’re included. I’m going to find a way to make sure they have opportunities.”
Rhimes’ interest in supporting theater isn’t a surprise: She has a history of inclusivity in her casting and in her behind-the-scenes staff. “Scandal” star Darby Stanchfield recently made her directing debut with the web series “Scandal: Gladiator Wanted” and in February Ellen Pompeo took the helm for the first time on an episode of “Grey’s Anatomy.” Shondaland regulars Chandra Wilson and Debbie Allen have also directed multiple episodes of “Grey’s.”
IAMA Theatre Company is dedicated “to producing young adult-oriented works that often speak to social problems through the lens of Angelenos,” the Times details. The nonprofit was founded by graduates from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, including Katie Lowes, aka “Scandal’s” Quinn Perkins.
After attending IAMA’s annual 23 Hour Play Festival, Rhimes asked Lowes how she could help the company. “[Rhimes] asked, ‘What do you need? How do I help this grow? What will make it last?’” Lowes recalled. “It’s probably the most game-changing thing that’s happened for this company.”
Fellow founding IAMA member Stefanie Black added, “This new commission is devoted to the goal of getting voices heard. There are so many voices out there that aren’t being shepherded or nurtured. So many people do their dream stuff or their passion projects for free, and that’s not sustainable.”
“I went to every play that came around our town, from the time I was little,” Rhimes told the Times. “It’s always been a part of my life, and it’s never felt inaccessible. And if I can help so that it’s not inaccessible here, great.”
Recently, Shondaland obtained the rights to writer Luvvie Ajayi’s first book, “I’m Judging You: The Do Better Manual.” Rhimes and Betsy Beers’ company plans to adapt the book into a comedy series for cable TV. You can catch the current Shondland lineup — “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal,” and “The Catch” — Thursdays on ABC. “How to Get Away with Murder” ended its third season in February and will most likely return this fall.
