Shavanna Calder was born in New York City to Caribbean parents, but raised in a small city in Northern California.
 
Her exposure to theatre and modeling began quite early in life. 'She started acting at age 5 when her father was in a community college production of "Big River." She had been attending his rehearsals for fun when one day, a little girl acting in the show failed to show up for a performance. Shavanna easily stepped into the role-and [performing] has been her passion ever since. ' [1]
 
After graduating from high school she attended Wellesley College where she studied Sociology and Cinema and Media Studies. She then went on to pursue a Masters at NYU.
 
Credit highlights include: Los Espookys (HBO), Seven Deadly Sins (Off Bway), Single Record, (Revry), The Grammys, SNL, Hairspray National Tour (Swing), Caroline, or Change (Emmie), For Colored Girls (L. in Green), as well as other print, film, commercial and voiceover projects. 
 
Currently she travels between NYC, CA and Mexico City for work and loved ones. Outside of acting she founded Arts in Color
in 2013, an organization to celebrate, inform and inspire people of theatre that also provides antiracism consultation. Lastly, she serves as the Creative Director of Mujer! (a feminist fashion magazine)!