PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release Contact: Maryann Maslan (510) 444.4755

Now – November 4, 2006 E-mail: maryann@stagebridge.org

Web: www.stagebrdige.org

Stagebridge Seniors Lead the Way to Healthy Aging at the First

National ‘Creativity Matters’ Conference

OAKLAND, CA – It may not lead to the fountain of youth, but expressing yourself creatively is a major route on the road to healthy aging – and Stagebridge Theatre Company is showing the way.

Performers from Stagebridge, the oldest senior theatre company in the nation, will share the stage with Leslie Uggams, Tovah Feldsuh, Amatuallah Saleem, the Paradigm dancers and the Kairos Dance Company – all are creative seniors and community-based artists – at the November 3-4 conference in Newark, New Jersey.

The two-day conference is being presented by the National Center for Creative Aging and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. It will focus on access to the arts and the quality of programs available to older adults throughout the nation. The conference is based on the Art of Aging Campaign, a national awareness campaign focusing on the benefits and impact of arts on health.

 “Older adults experience improved overall health, fewer doctor visits, less medication use, and better mental health when participating in community-based programs with other older persons,” said Dr. Gene Cohen, conference keynote speaker.

Health care practitioners, artists, researchers, funders and older adults will share their expertise at the conference. Participants will also discuss “best practices,” review the results of the latest national Creativity and Aging Study on adults age 65-103, and explore ways to make the arts accessible to more seniors.

Stagebridge Theatre Company has been based in Oakland, California since 1978. The actors range in age from 50-90 years. The non-profit, intergenerational company has performed over 30 original plays for more than 250,000 people in clubs, senior centers, hospitals, schools and theatres.

Founder and director, Dr. Stuart Kandell, is a pioneer in the field of healthy aging, creating the award-winning Healthy Aging Program called “See Me!” to train medical professionals to see older adults as people. Stagebridge has been featured on ABC-TV, CNN, National Public Radio, in Modern Maturity and the national Storytelling Magazine and at national and regional conferences.

Conference highlights with Stagebridge:

Performance:  3:30 p.m., Saturday, November 4, featuring – The Dreamers, vocal trio with Scrumbly Koldewyn on keyboard and vocalists Cindy Carrico & Linda Wilson; humorist, Joanne Grimm; and, storyteller, Claressa Morrow.

Interactive Workshop w/ dance & theatre:  1:45 p.m., Saturday, November 4 – Skills to Take with You – presenter, Dr. Stuart Kandell, Stagebridge director and founder.

Best Practices Symposia – Performing Arts:  10:45 a.m., Saturday, November 4 – How to Create a Successful Arts Program – presenter, Dr. Stuart Kandell, Stagebridge director and founder.

Roundtables with artists and organization leaders including Dr. Stuart Kandell: 

Intergenerational Arts, Media Arts, Frail Elders, Well Elders – 5:00 p.m, Friday, November 3 and 8:15 a.m., Saturday, November 4

For more information on the Creative Matters Conference and the National Center for Creative Aging visit: www.creativeaging.org