Stagebridge

The Performing Arts Training Institute offers 36 weeks of classes annually in all genres of performing arts. The pandemic closures put all our classes online, enabling us to hire top-flight teachers, and welcome students, from all across the country. Classes continued in culminating in performance and showcase opportunities, and professional development/training for students and instructors that serve the aging community.

Seniors Reaching Out brings musical and comedic entertainment, performed by Stagebridge senior touring ensembles, to several thousand elders at community venues. The pandemic shutdown curtailed the performance opportunities, but not the classes offered for the ensembles to stay fresh, to be ready when venues re-open.

Finding Ourselves in America is a program highlighting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color individuals through storytelling partnerships with artists from Oakland and beyond. Through performances, classes and special workshops, Stagebridge offers distinctive opportunities for lifelong learners to explore culture, identity and American history informed by marginalized experiences.From January-March 2022, through a partnership with the West Oakland Senior Center (WOSC), Stagebridge produced a class exploring West Oakland's history through the eyes of Black elders. Bay Area storyteller Ben Tucker, AKA Brother Ben, taught Straight Outta Oakland, a class which led students towards a showcase of short stories. Focused on exploring stories from 1940-60s and Oakland's place in The Great Migration, this class was a bridge to mapping and crafting one-of-a-kind journeys for elders.