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Pass on our elders’ legacy
Help us maintain the oral tradition! As Elders we believe it’s never too late to pass it on to our community in schools, senior centers, and community organizations.
Each year Stagebridge works with hundreds of schools to stimulate language arts and social studies curriculums. Older actors in the literacy-based play, “Grandparent Tales,” bring storybooks to life. Storytellers bridge the past, present, and future with their tales. Students are inspired to read, develop meaningful relationships with Stagebridge actors, and gather stories from their own grandparents.
Our children feel the richness that comes across the “bridge” of generations … the presence of the grandpa and grandma storytellers does far more than our words.
— An Elementary School Teacher
Make storytelling part of your life:
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CLICK HERE
to watch a video about our Storybridge program
Stagebridge’s storytelling program began with just a few volunteer grandparents telling stories in their grandchildren’s schools. Our program has now grown to include senior storytellers from all over the San Francisco Bay Area.
 Leatha Wilson talks about her work as a volunteer storyteller:
When I worked full time, I always planned what I would do on my days off. When I retired, I found there were weeks, months, even years that were left blank. One morning I turned to the newspaper for a clue. I had previously been thinking about politics as way to volunteer, as I have always been one to help out. But, one ad jumped out at me: “Stagebridge needs Storytellers.”
Immediately memories of my childhood came back to me — growing up out in the country near Arcadia, Louisiana. I remembered my maternal grandfather, when I was very small, lining us up on his porch and telling us stories. When we were older, we had to take our turn at telling stories. As I grew up, I continued this storytelling tradition, even telling stories to the children in the waiting room in the clinic where I worked.
It was when I came to Stagebridge that I learned the real art of telling stories. Now I bring my storytelling everywhere I go — to schools, senior centers, and to my church. I’m glad I joined Stagebridge because I love to see the children’s faces when we tell stories. I like sharing my experience.
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