STAGEBRIDGE

Address

2501 Harrison Street

Oakland , CA 64612

Telephone: (510) 444-4755 Fax: (510) 444-4821

Website: www.stagebridge.org

Email: schools@stagebridge.org

Contacts

CEO: Dr. Stuart Kandell

Other contacts: Barbara Johnson Schools Coordinator (510) 444-4755 schools@stagebridge.org

Year Incorporated: 1978

Category:

Service Provider

Mission Statement:

Stagebridge's mission is to narrow the gap between the generations and to present positive images of older adults through the medium of theatre arts classes, workshops, and public performances.

History/Goals/Objectives:

Starting with one drama class at an Oakland senior center in 1978, Stagebridge has grown into an intergenerational arts organization that offers entertainment, workshops and classes to retirement homes, senior centers, schools, libraries and special events throughout the Bay Area. Our nationally recognized school programs bring storytelling and improvisation to the classroom. These workshops improve literacy, social skills and public speaking. Student assemblies and after school programs are fun and educational and include interactive plays, with music, like 'Busting the Bullies.' In 1995 we began our annual 'Grandparents Writing Contest', to encourage students to talk with an older adult and write a story about them. Since then thousands of Bay Area students have practiced their writing skills, and hundreds have received prizes and even told their stories on local radio and TV shows. Still lead by our founder Dr. Stuart Kandell, Stagebridge today is the nation's oldest senior theatre company, the only professional theater training company for older adults on the West Coast, and has received funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. Our 'Storybridge' residency program has received a special Federal Arts grant from the US Department of Education as a model storytelling-in-the-schools program.

Target Populations:

Elementary

Middle

Staff Capacity: 6 staff

There are 8 professional staff supported by over 100 retired volunteers, plus theater, music, movement, storytelling and visual artists hired on a contract basis to train our volunteers and to provide direct student services.

Language Capacity (other than English): Spanish

Japanese

Organizational Operating Budget: $200,001 - $500,000

Geographic Areas Served (current):

Citywide

Geographic Areas for Expanded Service: