Stagebridge began in 1978 as an acting class at a senior center taught by Stuart Kandell. Within a year, the actors began performing original collaborative plays at senior centers and in elementary schools. Audiences responded strongly to seeing their peers or grandmas and grandpas on stage.

Kandell hired playwright and teacher, Linda Spector, in 1980 and began a collaboration that has lasted over twenty years. Spector has written more than twenty plays for the company dealing with issues such as street crime, depression, volunteering, stereotypes, technology, love and sex.

In 1991, an annual play of “Grandparent Tales” began by adapting popular children’s books about grandparents and performing for large school audiences. This expanded to include storytelling programs in local schools.

The company receives support from the “Friends of Stagebridge” and grants from government agencies, foundations, and corporations.

Meet the Staff

Executive Director:
Dr. Stuart Kandell
Phone: 510-444-4755 ext. 118
Email: director@stagebridge.org

Drama/Theatre Director:
Josiah Polhemus
Phone: 510-444-4755 ext. 113
Email: josiah@stagebridge.org

Storytelling Director:
Kirk Waller
Phone: 510-444-4755 ext. 115
Email: kirk@stagebridge.org

Storybridge Director:
Greacian Goeke
Phone: 510-444-4755 ext. 113
Email: greacian@stagebridge.org

Schools Program Coordinator:
Barbara Johnson
Phone: 510-444-4755 ext. 116
Email: barbara@stagebridge.org

TimeSlips Program Director:
Liz Nichols
Phone: 415-505-7941
Email: timeslips@stagebridge.org

Marketing Director:
Maryann Maslan
Phone: 510-444-4755 ext. 112
Email: maryann@stagebridge.org

Development Director:
Michael Stephens
Phone: 510-444-4755
Email: grants@stagebridge.org

Bookkeeper:
Suzanne Ludlum
Phone: 510-444-4755

Office Manager:
James Jenkins
Phone: 510-444-4755 ext. 114
Email: info@stagebridge.org

Administrative Assistant:
Greg Rosas
Phone: 510-444-4755 ext. 111
Email: greg@stagebridge.org

Board of Trustees

Tom Flynn – President

Joanne Grimm – Vice President

Jerry Fishman– Secretary

Stuart Kandell, Ph.D. – Treasurer

Sheri Davenport

Evelyn Wesley, Ph.D.