You may have read her name before, in a past newsletter or on our blog. You may have seen her picture on Cal Shakes conservatory brochures, postcards, or posters. If you’ve been to our theater, you’ve most likely been greeted by her mother, longtime House Manager Claire Stoermer. And if you were at the Bruns on the opening day of  the 2010 season, you may have seen 14-year-old Zendaya Coleman helping to sweep the new plaza!

Now the rest of the world is about to be introduced to this talented former Cal Shakes conservatory student. On Sunday, November 7, she made her television debut in Shake It Up!, the Disney Channel’s latest foray into the buddy-comedy genre. Shake it Up!—created by Chris Thompson of Laverne & Shirley and Bosom Buddies fame—stars Zendaya and Bella Thorne (Big Love, My Own Worst Enemy, Dirty Sexy Money) as two best friends who become background dancers on a Chicago TV show.

Congratulations to Zendaya and her parents; we’re incredibly proud to have them in our Cal Shakes family.

More info:

The Disney Channel’s Shake It Up! website.

An interview with Zendaya in Diablo magazine.

Zendaya gives a shout-out to Cal Shakes in Variety.

Pictured: Zendaya Coleman; photo courtesy of JE Talent.