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 graduated with a degree in Sociology and Cinema and Media Studies. She then went on to pursue a Masters at NYU.

 

Credit highlights include: The Grammys, SNL, Hairspray National Tour (Standby), Caroline, or Change (Emmie), The Wiz (Dorothy u/s), For Colored Girls (L. in Green), as well as other print, film, commercial and voiceover opportunities. 

 

Currently she travels between NYC and CA for work and play while editing Arts in Color (a site about people of color in theatre)!  

 

[1] http://www.wellesley.edu/PublicAffairs/Releases/2006/060206.html