Shonda Rhimes Praises Debbie Allen and Her Dance Academy at Power of Women: ‘If You Are Feeling Broken, Debbie Will Help You Repair’
variety.comJack Dunn Shonda Rhimes was honored at Variety’s Power of Women, presented by Lifetime, in New York on Thursday for her work with the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, a non-profit dance school that offers classes to disenfranchised communities.
Rhimes was aware of Debbie Allen’s work from a young age, having been a fan of her 1980s TV show “Fame.” Years later, Rhimes’ eldest daughter took classes at the academy, and Rhimes and Allen became fast friends.
Allen eventually became an executive producer, director and actor on “Grey’s Anatomy,” and in 2022, Rhimes opened a permanent location for DADA in Mid-City. “They call her Ms.
Allen. Her students are aged 3 to 93. They are all sizes, all colors, all abilities, all talent levels,” Rhimes said on stage at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.. “Some are kids like mine — overprivileged.
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