Learning & Applied Learning

The Storytelling Program works in conjunction with several Stagebridge programs to present an educational pathway for storytellers to learn in classrooms as well as practical environments.

Performing Arts INSTITUTE

In our quarterly-held Performing Arts Institute (PAI), Stagebridge offers several storytelling classes for tellers of all levels. Essentially the first step in a “storytelling pipeline,” this program provides a training ground for students who want to become Storybridge and Senior Reaching Out (SRO) tellers. Many of classes include in-class, end-of-session showcases so that students can 1) obtain practical performing experience and 2) expand the Stagebridge family by inviting families & communities. 

Since PAI course offerings differ slightly from the sessions, we encourage our storytellers to take multi-disciplinary classes in order to expand their abilities. By offering classes in acting, dance / movement, and writing, this program is a chance for aspiring storytellers to learn to diverse skills, including:

  • Ideation / generation

  • Text analysis & Character-building

  • Constructive criticism

  • Performance skills, Voice & Speech

  • Several writing styles

    • Traditional

    • Poetry

    • Memoir

    • Monologue

    • Myth / Folklore

    • Children’s Stories

To learn more about the Performing Arts Institute and register for the upcoming session, visit stagebridge.org/pai.

Lunchtime storytelling is one of our longest running programs. Run monthly, students from our PAI and beyond are invited to share new stories ranging over many topics, themes, and styles. While this is an additional pathway for storytelling students to showcase their work, Lunchtime Storytelling is one of the many programs attempting to reach outside of our Stagebridge community. 

To learn more about Lunchtime Storytelling and register to watch our next session, learn more here.

Seniors Reaching OUT & Performance OPPORUNTITIES

The Stagebridge Storytelling program has several additional applied learning / performance opportunities for aspiring tellers. 

Most notably, Stagebridge storytellers are pulled for Stagebridge’s Senior Reaching Out (SRO) program. While organizations and community groups can hire our artists to perform for cultural events and at senior centers, our storytellers are consistently tapped to perform across the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Currently, Stagebridge staff members are working with storytellers to establish a BIPOC (Black, Indigineous, and People of Color) cohort. Aligned with the company’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion commitment, this arm of SRO is designed to showcase the power of storytelling for underrepresented communities.

Held monthly, the SRO program also partners with Covia, an Active Aging Organization, to enrich the lives of home-bound seniors through the Well-Connected program. Storytellers perform on a phone-based meeting, where individuals can call in and listen to fascinating and engaging narratives. Throughout the pandemic, this partnership has evolved to expand the reach of our Stagebridge artists.

In a yearly partnership with The Marsh in Berkeley to showcase some of our brilliant storytelling, Stagebridge’s Tell it on Tuesday storytelling event is one fantastic opportunity for our PAI-trained storytellers to showcase and to honor a tradition of a local storytelling company.

Additionally, our staff are developing pilot storytelling programs in conjunction with the Asian Art Museum and the City of Oakland.

To learn more about the Seniors Reaching Out program or book our storytellers for an event, contact our team here.