2026 Bridge Conference

Whether you're writing a grant proposal or sharing a social media post, stories are one of the most effective ways to demonstrate your organization's mission and impact—but not all stories are created equal. While some stories inspire audiences to think or act differently, others leave audiences unsatisfied, unmoved, or unsure of what to do next. In this workshop, we'll go through a step-by-step process for creating stories that resonate, build trust, and compel your audience to act. Participants will define their own storytelling goals and opportunities, explore ethical considerations, and practice using the 3 C's of storytelling (Challenge, Choice, Change) to craft stories with purpose.

Theatre is for everyone! In this hands-on workshop, we will be using the transformative power of the arts to bring fun into the classroom. Through theatre games with a focus on Social Emotional Learning (SEL) we will explore concepts while doing! By intentionally incorporating SEL into the classroom we offer students an opportunity to cultivate empathy and
examine their self-awareness. SEL studies have shown positive outcomes that tie socialization to the promotion of emotional understanding and empathy. These activities are suitable for ALL educators and classrooms/afterschool programs, and will provide tools and activities to:
• Cultivate empathy and community care within the classroom.
• Incorporate practices that support humanity.
• Foster student engagement and a brave space.

In this session, teaching artists and ensemble directors from Yakima Music en Acción (YAMA) will share practices that build belonging and leadership: student-led feedback loops that shape program design, assistant teacher roles, and community agreements. Participants will reflect on how these strategies can translate to their own expanded learning programs, regardless of content area. Focused on school-age youth in grades 3–12. YAMA is an after-school orchestra program serving youth in the Yakima Valley fosters cognitive and social development through high-intensity ensemble-based music training, widening access to the arts, and growing confident leaders throughout their community. By centering youth voices and designing intentional structures that invite students into leadership, YAMA creates a space where young people feel genuinely seen, heard, and in charge of their own experiences.