Zendaya is giving back to the community that helped launch her career.
The California Shakespeare Theater (aka “Cal Shakes”) announced Wednesday, February 21st that the Euphoria and Dune 2 star has made a $100,000 donation to the theater’s North Star Fund via the Women Donors Network.
“We are deeply grateful to Zendaya and the WDN for their partnership, and their generous grant of $100,000 to the North Star Fund,” Cal Shakes Executive Director Clive Worsley said in a statement. “This gift helps keep Cal Shakes going strong as we prepare for our 50th Anniversary season!” The donation will be used for upgrading sound and lighting systems, enhancing the café, and funding the upcoming production of As You Like It.
Zendaya, a musician and actor, is an Oakland, California native who got her start at the Bay Area theater. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, her mother Claire Stoermer was a house manager at the theater. After spending some time helping the company out, Zendaya enrolled in improv classes “to overcome her natural shyness.”
Leena Barakat, President & CEO, Women Donors Network, added “Women Donors Network (“WDN”) has approved a 2024 501(c)(3) grant of $100,000 for California Shakespeare Theater (Cal Shakes). We are very pleased to be able to offer this general support grant in partnership with Zendaya. We hope that our funding supports your work and helps further your strategic vision, wherever funds are most needed.”