Stagebridge Announces Open Registration for Spring 2013 Classes Classes in Acting, Improv, Singing, Storytelling and More for 50+ April 1, 2013

Stagebridge Senior Theatre is excited to announce open registration for the Spring session of their award-winning Performing Arts Training Institute (PATI).

Classes begin on April 1 and run until June 14, 2013. All courses offered through Stagebridge are taught by professional artists renowned across the Bay Area, including Anthony Clarvoe (Playwriting), Barbara Scott (Improv), Ray Reinhardt (Acting), Scrumbly Koldewyn (Singing), Ellen Robinson (Musical Theatre) – and so many more!

Classes are offered at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels in a range of genres such as improvisation, directing, acting, and storytelling. We also offer several short courses–an exciting Afro-Caribbean/Brazilian Dance class taught by Lina Del Roble, a Vaudeville workshop led by Bruce Bierman and a Storytelling appreciation class led by Karin Werner. We have something for everyone!

The first week of class is free and open for the public to check out. Classes range in cost from $100 to $200. Space is limited in some classes – advanced registration is encouraged. Class schedules, registration information and forms are available on the Stagebridge website (www.stagebridge.org), where you can also register online. For more information, contact 510-444-4755 or lilyann@stagebridge.org.

Stagebridge is a nationally acclaimed theatre company of older adults based in Oakland, California. Since 1978, the company's mission has been to create intergenerational bridges and promote healthy aging through the performing arts by offering classes, workshops, outreach programs and public performances. The participants range in age from 50 to 90+ years.

Stagebridge has performed over 30 original plays for more than 350,000 people in senior centers, hospitals, schools and theatres. A pioneer in the field of healthy aging, it created the award-winning “See Me!” program to train medical professionals to see older adults as real people. Stagebridge is the only West Coast representative of TimeSlips ™, an innovative program that engages people with memory loss and dementia in creative storytelling. The company’s Performing Arts Training Institute (PATI) is the winner of the American Society on Aging 2009 MetLife MindAlert Award.

Stagebridge has been featured on ABC‐TV, CNN, National Public Radio, in Modern Maturity, Oakland Magazine, Storytelling Magazine and at national and regional conferences. It is in the early phases of a replication program designed to encourage other cities in California to strengthen their own elder communities through participatory arts programming.

Official Website: http://www.stagebridge.org