History of IAMA

*Cult of Love (2018) with Tom Amandes,* *Keliher Walsh, Graham Sibley, Christine Woods, John Lavelle, Laila Ayad, Tina Huang, and Melissa Stephens. Photo by Dean Cechvala.*

IAMA Theatre Company was conceived in 2007 by a group of young artists eager to create theatre in Los Angeles. Working with a shared commitment to exploration and development, IAMA seeks to challenge ourselves and our audience by producing original works, from emerging and established playwrights, through a collaborative, multi-disciplinary ensemble.

The IAMA ensemble is made up of extensively trained theatre and film graduates who have studied amongst the most diverse and prestigious institutions (both domestically and abroad). Professionally, this ensemble has been featured in critically acclaimed TV shows and films and a vast array of theatrical performances all over the world.

Based in Los Angeles, one of the most diverse metropolitan areas in the world, IAMA’s work continues to reflect the new voices and changing attitudes that shape our city, state, country and world. They have carved out a niche for themselves with an enthusiastic and loyal audience in an ever-growing LA theatre community: “In this industry town, where theatre is often the byproduct of actors waiting to be plucked for film and TV, IAMA’s devotion to the stage is fully grounded in its counter-intuitiveness (Metromix LA)”. IAMA’s passionate and innovative material has garnered national recognition therefore expanding it's reach, placing IAMA at the forefront of contemporary American theatre today.

Over the years, IAMA has grown from a fledgling company to “a new creative force on the local theatre scene (LA TIMES)”. Fueled by the exciting work of inaugural Artist-in-Residence, Leslye Headland, and her Seven Deadly Plays, IAMA has since premiered over 25 world, west coast, and Los Angeles productions on their stage. And in 2016, IAMA became a recipient of the Rhimes Family Foundation, lead by television icon and producer, Shonda Rhimes. IAMA then named Ms. Rhimes their inaugural “Patron of the Arts."

Designated by Playbill as “one of 20 regional houses every theater lover must know,” the award-winning company has seen many plays generated at IAMA travel to off-Broadway, including to Second Stage and Playwrights Horizons, then go on to be performed regionally and internationally.