Last week at The Valley, actor and founder of The Bridge Mike Ford led a conversation focused on creativity, confidence, and entrepreneurship.
Video highlights from the night:
Two Important Questions
At the start, Mike asked people to write down their answers regarding two simple questions:
What do you do for work?
What do you wish had more space in your life?
Those questions set the tone for a talk about cutting doubt, managing stability, and the courage it takes to pursue ideas that matter.
Drawing from his experience growing up in Cambridge, working in New York City, and now launching The Bridge Theatre Company, Mike shared how confidence is built through belief, not certainty.
Creativity, he emphasized, isn’t about talent, it’s about believing in your ideas enough to act on them.
Environment Builds Confidence
Mike spoke about the role Cambridge played in shaping his confidence, through places like Battenkill Books, Hubbard Hall, and mentors who encouraged curiosity and imagination.
Those early experiences, he shared, are a big reason he’s now building The Bridge Theatre Company here.
His vision isn’t just about theater either. It’s about creating a place for creativity, one that brings people into town, supports local businesses, and gives others permission to imagine what’s possible.
“When one person executes on a vision, it makes it easier for someone else to believe theirs is possible too.”
The evening ended with lingering convos and people connecting. Events like this are part of The Valley Hub’s mission to create a place for ideas, collaboration, and momentum in Cambridge.
Hope to see you at the next event!
-Charlie Dill