THE BEAR presents: MATRIARCHS & MUSES
Stories of the women who shaped us.
“But behind all your stories is always your mother's story, because hers is where yours begin.”
— Mitch Albom
In honor of Women’s History Month, we are turning the spotlight toward the women who have served as our anchors, our antagonists, and our North Stars. We’re moving beyond the history books to the icons in your own life—the women who left a mark on your soul.
🎤 What is your "Impact" story?
We are looking for true, personal, 5-minute stories about a specific moment of change. Whether she was a mentor, a rival, or a mystery, we want to hear about the "we": the moment your path crossed hers and you were never the same.
The Matriarch: Navigating the complex, sometimes messy bond with a mother or grandmother.
The Mirror: (For the women) A moment you claimed your space or redefined what being a woman means to you today.
The North Star: (For the men) A story of a woman who shifted your worldview—a boss, partner, or mentor who held up a mirror to your life.
The Friction: The woman who challenged you, competed with you, or forced you to sharpen your edges through conflict.
Note for Storytellers: Don't just tell us her biography; tell us how you changed because of her. Focus on the conflict, the realization, and the "naked truth."
📍 Event Details
Date: Thursday, 19 March 2026
Time: 19:00 (7:00 PM)
Venue: Theatre Pool | Boxhagener Straße 18, 3. Hinterhof, Berlin
Host: Esther de Bruijn | Music: TBA
🎟 Tickets & Community
Entry is by donation. Your generosity keeps our stage independent and open to all.
Recommended: 15–20 €
Give more if you can, less if you can’t. Everyone is welcome.
🐻 How it Works
This evening features a blend of curated stories (selected in advance) and our signature Open Stage.
Want to tell a story? Put your name in the hat! We’ll draw names randomly throughout the night. If you’re a newcomer, don’t worry—we love first-time voices and offer supportive coaching to help you find your hook.
Audience Question: Who is a woman you’ll never forget, and how did she change the way you see the world?
Meet Your Show Host
Esther de Bruijn
Show host Esther de Bruijn on stage at THE BEAR.
A cum laude graduate of the Academy of Theatre and Education in the Netherlands, Esther de Bruijn brings a powerful blend of theatre, education, and intercultural communication to THE BEAR stage.
Through her organization, Female Speaking Berlin, Esther’s mission is to empower women to speak with clarity, presence, and purpose. But her coaching style—honed across sectors from healthcare to science—is built on a foundation that is curious, honest, and deeply human. Esther believes that every person has a story worth telling. She is an expert at creating the kind of safe, joyful space where vulnerability becomes strength. Whether you are a woman finding your voice or a man sharing a tribute to a woman who changed your life, Esther is here to ensure that every story is heard with compassion and every teller feels at home on our stage.
THE BEAR presents is made possible by the generous performances of our storytellers, our team of volunteers, and the “Verein zur Förderung der Kunst des biographischen Geschichtenerzählens e.V.” .
Special thanks to our partners Berlin Erleben on Youtube and the public speaking training company Female Speaking Berlin.
We help women in companies build embodied confidence, voice, and visibility through skill-building and community-building, using theatre-based methods that create lasting behavioural change.
Informative videos @ Berlin from 35-year experienced city guide Michael Rost.
If you miss this show, you can have front row seats to beautiful stories made by THE BEAR with love on our bi-weekly podcastwherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
Stories connect us.
Because we all have stories to tell.
Please support our mission to bring compassion into our communities through the Art of Autobiographical Storytelling.
We thank you for your generosity.
Verein zur Förderung der Kunst des biographischen Geschichtenerzählens e.V.
IBAN: DE25 8306 5408 0005 2236 28
Or you can buy the team some cups of coffee for those long nights… Thank you.