Why Get Involved?
Community & Healing
“Before the first class had ended, I discovered that this class would really compliment my singing, and all other dance forms… I have discovered so many ways to move. I like the idea of classes connecting that way, by accident or on purpose.” ~Maxine, about April Axé Charmaine’s Embodied Theatre class
Stagebridge students gain the opportunity to enter a community connected by the healing and magic of performing arts. With renowned artists and instructors from across the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, our Performing Arts Institute (PAI) is home to several opportunities to learn about theatre, dance, storytelling, music and more.
In addition to classes covering a variety of topics, Stagebridge offers many healing art classes focusing on meditation & mindfulness, personal heritage narratives, and fun exercises designed for everyone and every body.
According to the National Institute on Aging, there is a growing body of research on the positive effects arts programs can have on healthy ageing. Elders from diverse backgrounds self-report marked improvements in their physical and mental well-being after consistently participating in performance and creative arts group activities
You will have fun diving into new worlds with fellow students. Unleash your inner voice in our storytelling classes, laugh with new friends in our improv classes, or bust a move in our dance classes.
On top of all that, Stagebridge also hosts special events specifically created to strengthen community connections through the arts. For instance, our Finding Ourselves in America series invites artists and organizations from BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) communities to host storytelling events lifting up underrepresented narratives.
Chances to Perform
“I was not an oral storyteller when I enrolled in the class. At first, I thought, ‘Oh, no! I am in over my head. The others are so experienced. Woe is me.’ But with encouragement and instruction from Sheila Arnold and support of my classmates, I worked at it, saw the light, and wrote my very first fairytale...” ~Eleanor on Fairytales, Folklore & Social Justice with Sheila Arnold
At the end of every session of the Performing Arts Institute, classes are invited to hold public showcases to demonstrate and perform the incredible lessons they have learned. These sessions are opportunities to share the joy and magic inside of these classes with family, friends, and colleagues.
In the past, these showcases have ranged from comedy nights, to The Moth-style storytelling events, to full-length productions of new and classic work.
Additionally, Stagebridge has several performance opportunities outside of the PAI program. One of our longest-running events, Lunchtime Storytelling, invites our students to tell new and exciting tales for their community.
Stagebridge also has several partnerships with organizations from across the San Francisco Bay area which lead to multidisciplinary performance opportunities for students. Some of these include Tell it On Tuesday, our yearly partnership show with The Marsh in Berkeley, and Love Lines, our Valentine’s Day-themed show with Beats, Rhymes & Life.
Service to Community
“Stagebridge has been the best environment for encouraging creativity and stretching our assumptions about ourselves. This unique company of talented teachers, and students, continues to bring joy to my life.”
Ultimately, we encourage many Stagebridge students to step up in our service-oriented programs such as Storybridge and Seniors Reaching Out.
Our Seniors Reaching Out program is devoted to creating special performances for elders who cannot attend live events. For example, Never Too Late, led by Scrumbly Koldewyn and Joanne Grimm, offers a traveling cabaret with music and singing to local libraries, museums, senior living centers, and more.
Our Storybridge program gives industrious PAI students the opportunity to become teaching artists in K-5 classrooms across the area. This intergenerational storytelling opportunity touches lives and inspires young minds.
With a one-of-a-kind community with unique opportunities, we stand strong as the nation’s oldest and most renowned performing arts company for older adults.
If you have dreamed of performing for your community, if you are longing for newfound self-confidence, or if you are looking to heal your mind and body, Stagebridge welcomes you.