1.
Three professionals
constitute the leadership
for Story Bridge. Richard
Geer is the artistic
director and the founder
of Story Bridge. People
Magazine says "Director
Richard Geer heals
troubled communities
with the magic of
theatre—and the gift of
new hope.”

2.
He is joined by Qinghong Wei, Executive Director, a scholar, &
artist who has served as CEO of a prestigious foundation and
co-founder of an award-winning social enterprise.

3.
Also part of the team is Iega
(Kevin Jeff) an
internationally acclaimed
dancer and choreographer.
Iega is named as one of
the The Juilliard School’s 100
Outstanding Alumni in
celebration of the school’s
centenary anniversary and
co-founder & artistic
director of Deeply Rooted
Dance Theater in Chicago.

4.
Story Bridge Lopez began with a daylong interactive session of
collecting community stories, culminating in a community
performance open to everyone that same evening.

5.
Everyone participated,
whether on stage acting,
or making music, or
behind the scenes….

6.
…or being the original
source of a story.

7.
The power of telling your neighbor’s story is difficult to
describe.

8.
We were fortunate to have 4 members of the Lummi
tribe participate with the community.

9.
The following day our deepened relationships provided the
groundwork for our exploring food, farming and affordable
housing for the next generation.

10.
The TED talk of The Danger of a Single Story was shared,
bridging the two days’ events.

11.
Through art we portrayed what secure housing looked like.

12.
We explored the issues of why farming is at a crisis level on
Lopez. What are the challenges and why?

13.
We shared from Duane Elgin: A
natural tendency is for people to
separate and seek islands of safety
to ride out the disruptive storms of
transition.

14.
However, if we pull apart and seek our personal security by
retreating from today’s issues, we are denying reality. Our
situation is unprecedented: This generation is being pushed by
an injured Earth and pulled by a welcoming Universe to make
a monumental gift to humanity’s future:

15.
Unless the great diversity of humanity can find an awe-
inspiring bridge to a compelling future that is grounded in a
commonly felt experience of tremendous, untapped
evolutionary potential, we will not have the soulful motivation
needed to turn from separation and survival to community
and co-evolution.

16.
We explored Trim Tabs that have affected change in the past,
and how we can be trim tabs for a sustainable Lopez in the
future.

17.
We closed with the question: “if you knew you could not fail,
what would you do to help Lopez?”

18.
"I had high expectations going into last weekend, and they
dramatically surpassed them. I walked through town today
during lunch and ran into four people in succession that had
been present at storybridge this weekend, and our greetings
were joyful. There was a
mutual seeing that was
validating of the lasting
changes that were brought
about this weekend. I am so
grateful to you for believing
in the healing power of story
and its vital place in building
a strong and vibrant
community.”

19.
"As our own Lopez stories continued to unfold while we were
there on Saturday , I think both my son and I were able to
better hold it all. I knew the weekend would be awesome. I
knew I needed it. It surpassed all expectations.”

20.
“It amazes me how much came out of this event. I was on the
ferry with [a participant] and we were full of brainstorms
about how to make it happen with regularity, to help build
trust and compassion among our community. Pretty amazing
experience. A couple of folks have commented on our play. I
appreciate their kind comments but mostly I think it did
so much for us all to
work through it, for me
to work through it, it
was so valuable for just
me that I can hardly
relate how powerful
and positive it might
have been for anyone
else.”

21.
“I hope we can call Story Bridge back again soon.”

22.
Report Prepared by
Lopez Community Land Trust
Project Funded by
Catholic Campaign for Human Development
To learn more:
www.lopezclt.org
www.storybridge.space