|
Stagebridge is the nation’s oldest senior theatre, celebrating its 25th season. Founded in Oakland, California in l978 by Dr. Stuart Kandell, the company’s mission has always been to provide opportunities for older adults to use theatre as a way to bridge the generations. The company consists of 100 actors, storytellers, students, and volunteers whose average age is 70. Stagebridge has performed for over 250,000 people.
Stagebridge’s work consists of:
- Theatre training programs with weekly classes in acting, storytelling, improv, and scene study
- “Seniors Reaching Out,” a touring group that brings workshops and short plays to senior facilities and community sites
- Public performances of original plays about aging
- A nationally recognized intergenerational literacy program, “Storytellers in the Schools,” which recruits, trains, and places older adults as storytellers in elementary schools
- Annual radio series
- “Grandparents Tales Writing Contest” for children
- “Annual Family Matinee and Ice Cream Social.”
The company reaches over 25,000 people a year in rest homes, schools, senior centers, theatres and community sites. Stagebridge has performed at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, National Senior Theatre Festival, and for American Society on Aging. They have appeared on CNN, World Monitor TV, NPR and in many national publications.
The company is funded by the City of Oakland, National Endowment for the Arts, U.S. Department of Education, Wells Fargo Bank, Citibank, Bank of the West, San Francisco Foundation, Bernard Osher Foundation and “Friends of Stagebridge.” Stagebridge coordinates the Center for Creative Aging (West), an affiliate of the National Center for Creative Aging.
“The work you are doing is very important.” The late Jessica Tandy
“The fact that these seniors are up on stage sharing stories about their lives makes Stagebridge one of the most vital and authentic community theatre projects around.” Chad Jones, Oakland Tribune
“Empowering the elderly in tandem with children is a brilliant way to rebuild valuable and critically needed bridges between generations.” Children’s Advocate Newspaper
Click here for Stagebridge books and CDs
|
