Early life

   Zendaya, whose name means "to give thanks" in Shona, was born Zendaya Coleman to Claire Stoermer and Kazembe Ajamu (Coleman) on September 1st, 1996, inOakland, California.^[1][2][3] She grew up as part of the California Shakespeare Theater in Orinda, California where her mother worked as the House Manager.^[1][2][3] In addition to training at the theater's student conservatory program, and later performing in numerous stage productions, Zendaya helped her mother seat patrons and sell raffle tickets to benefit the theater.^[1]

   While attending the Oakland School for the Arts, she starred as a young Ti Moune in Once on This Island at the Berkley Playhouse and in the breakout role of the male character Joe in Caroline, or Change at Palo Alto's TheaterWorks.^[1] She also studied her craft at the CalShakes Conservatory program and at the American Conservatory Theater.^[1] Her other stage credits include Richard III, Twelfth Night, and As You Like It, among others.