Stories Next Door: Veterans Build a Creative Aging Community at CommonBond

The “Yes, And…” That Paved Dane’s Creative Aging Path

*Dane’s work expands across the Minnesota arts sphere. Here he is (pictured far right) with students during an improv class at Theatre 55.*

Fifteen years ago, CommonBond Communities came to Dane Stauffer with a request to adapt his theater class for older adults living in affordable housing. Dane didn’t hesitate: “Yes, and…” It’s a phrase he still uses in every class—a reminder to stay open, say yes, and build from there. Since then, Dane’s been a steady presence at CommonBond and a longtime trainer with Lifetime Arts, honing his craft as a creative aging teaching artist.

Now, he’s back with something new: a pilot storytelling class with formerly unhoused veterans, created in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs and part of CommonBond’s Arts & Aging program.

“I’m the canary in the coal mine,” Dane joked. “I’m the first earthworm.”

But really, he’s the spark—helping people find their voice, share their stories, and turn a group of neighbors into something more: a trusted community of friends.

Owning The Story, Finding Each Other

*Students workshop their stories during a class. Credit: Colin Kloecker*

*Dane Stauffer (pictured second to left) during a class with students.* *Credit:* *Colin Kloecker*

Over 16 weeks, Dane’s storytelling circle brought together veterans of all ages—many navigating life after service, housing insecurity, or major life changes. From day one, Dane made it clear: this wasn’t about performing. It was about connecting—to each other and to themselves.

And connection starts with trust. Knowing how vulnerable storytelling can be, Dane opened each class with humor and honesty.

“Who feels nervous about speaking in public?” he asked. Then, smiling: “Who feels nervous, but doesn’t want to raise their hand?”

The room filled with laughter. The energy shifted. And the stories began.

Each week, Dane offered a simple prompt—“a meaningful object,” “a time in nature,” “someone who made an impact.” What followed was spontaneous, heartfelt, and deeply human. Neighbors who’d lived side by side for years started truly seeing each other. One participant put it best:

“I learned more about Mitchell in the last seven minutes than I’ve learned in the last seven years of living here.”

Dane called it “spontaneous oral tradition”—storytelling stripped of pressure or polish.

“We take storytelling off the pedestal,” he said. “We do it every day. We just need the space to realize it.”

That space was grounded in trust and clear boundaries. Early on, one participant voiced a key request:

“I don’t want this to be a trauma dump.”

Everyone nodded. Stories could be deep without being painful, and always shared on the storyteller’s terms. And when emotions ran high, the group held strong.

“His peers talked him down,” Dane recalled during a session. “They reminded him why we were there. I didn’t even have to step in.”

Veterans Leading with Voice

In telling their stories, students rediscovered themselves—and even sparked change. One man used the class to dream up a peer-to-peer support group for fellow residents. With encouragement, he’s turning that dream into a registered nonprofit. Others wanted their stories to welcome new residents—which has inspired a video CommonBond plans to showcase in its welcome center later this year.

The Culminating Event: Storytelling Under the Trees

Instead of a big theater finale, the group decided to keep it simple—and close to home. Their culminating event was held outdoors, under the trees in their community’s side yard. Residents sat in a circle and told their stories. Audience members joined by forming a larger circle around them.

“Everyone gets the talking stick,” Dane said. “In this case, it’s just a mic.”

Each participant shared two stories. Some were humorous. Some heartfelt. Some based on past prompts, others drawn straight from the soul. One student shared a story about a relative who had deeply impacted their life—a relative who would be hearing it for the first time, right there in the circle. Dane shared:

“They love having a reason to show up, to master a craft, to share who they are. It’s not about performance. It’s about presence.”

After the storytelling, they fired up the grill and kept talking. The stories didn’t stop when the event ended. In fact, they had just begun.

From Isolation to Belonging: Creative Aging’s Role for Veterans

Here’s the truth that may not surprise you: 68% of U.S. veterans are over the age of 55. Nearly a quarter are over 75. And more than half say they often feel lonely, according to a 2022 report from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

As we all live longer, those extra years should feel just as connected and meaningful as the rest. For veterans, that means more than housing and healthcare—it means having a reason to leave home, to feel seen, and to be part of something meaningful. Programs like Dane’s are the reason why older adults regain purpose, connection, and happiness. We call them “life-changing” programs for a reason. Dane expressed it best:

“Artmaking doesn’t have to be therapy to be therapeutic. It’s not about dumping trauma—it’s about expression, connection, and choice.”

At CommonBond, that shift is happening. Veterans are opening up, listening deeply, and forming new bonds. Now, neighbors who once passed each other in silence stop to chat. They know each other’s names. They understand the stories behind the faces. This is what creative aging looks like—long after a class ends.

ABOUT DANE stauffer

Dane Stauffer is a Twin Cities-based actor, storyteller, educator, and theatre-maker whose work includes Scrooge in Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol at the Ordway, tours in Ireland, and the feature film Marmalade. He’s performed at Asolo, Geva, and History Theatres, earning awards from LA Stage Scene and Broadway World. With 40+ years of experience teaching in schools, senior centers, and community spaces, he empowers learners of all ages through the arts. Dane is also a longtime trainer with Lifetime Arts, promoting creative aging nationwide. Learn more

Resources that inspired Dane on his journey as a teaching artist:

Mentorship from other performers, training with Lifetime Arts, and the core values of theater: presence, listening, and the deep power of sharing our stories.

If you’re a senior-serving organization staff member, a teaching artist, or funder reading this: you can do creative aging too! You don’t need to start with a big plan; you can start with what you’ve got. Creative aging works everywhere—Lifetime Arts can help you figure out what will work for you.

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