Stagebridge, based in Oakland, California, is the nation’s oldest and most renowned theatre company of older adults. Founded in 1978 by Dr. Stuart Kandell, the company’s mission is to transform the lives of older adults and their communities through the performing arts. Stagebridge accomplishes this with award-winning Creative Aging programs that offer opportunities for lifelong learning and participation in the performing arts. Stagebridge’s unique position as a theatre company “for and of” older adults demonstrates in action the many ways in which elders enrich our culture and our communities.

Stagebridge offers professionally-taught classes for adults over 50 in its Performing Arts Training Institute, as well as storytelling programs in Bay Area public schools in its Storybridge program.  Through Seniors Reaching Out events, the company brings high-quality entertainment and hands-on classes to community venues that serve both active and frail elders. Stagebridge also contributes to the quality of life for older adults by providing performance-based staff training to healthcare workers and senior services providers. Lastly, Stagebridge produces public storytelling performances and new theatrical works that showcase the rich and varied experiences of older adults to a multigenerational audience.

Stagebridge is the winner of the 2013 MetLife Foundation Creative Aging Award and the 2009 American Society on Aging MetLife MindAlert Award.  The company’s work has been featured on ABC‐TV, CNN, National Public Radio, in The Wall Street Journal, The Huffington Post, Modern Maturity, Oakland Magazine, Storytelling Magazine and at national and regional conferences. Stagebridge’s award-winning programs are beginning to be replicated in Hollywood and Santa Cruz, California.