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The 100th Show BEYOND NOW – Berlin Science Week '25 Eve of the Champs '25 Eve of the Champs '24 Eve of the Champs 2023 XXL Eve of the Champs 2021 Eve of the Champs 2020 EUREKA! Stories of Discovery PURPOSE SHOW GRAVITY SHOW RARE SHOW
Purpose History "Audience Said" The Team
True stories. Erzähltes Leben.

You enter the theater as a stranger and after an evening of true, personal stories at THE BEAR,

you leave somehow feeling more connected to your fellow human beings.

How?


Through the simple act of listening


Expect laughter.
Expect tears.
Expect to feel less alone.


To all of you who were a listener, a storyteller, a team member at THE BEAR, thank you for making this milestone happen.

You are THE BEAR!

Join us for this milestone celebration. 💯 ✨ 🤩

What is THE BEAR?

True Stories. Real People. Told Live.

A space where you can:

🔸 SHARE
Your true, personal story — live and without notes — on stage.

🔸 LISTEN
To engaging, honest stories that entertain, move, and connect.

🔸 LEARN
How to become a more powerful storyteller and confident speaker.

Since 2015, THE BEAR has been Berlin’s home for real stories told from the heart — now coming to Hamburg this fall.
No scripts. No props. Just you, the mic, and a room ready to listen.

Thank you for showing up for all of our 10 shows this season: it was memorable, moving, and we’re so thankful!

Eve of the Champs 2024

On June 21st 2024, we celebrated the end of THE bEAR's 9th season of true personal stories with our friends, fans and family coming together at the beautiful historic Theater im Delphi in Berlin, Germany. Ten Favorite storytellers from the last 10 shows explored stories on the theme The Crack - stories that let the light in. Camera: Michael Rost.

Dare to do THE bEAR! Short film about our true, personal story open stage shows. Film from Tom Meyer; Camera: Daniel Gerlich

 

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide a dignified and professional setting for people to share experiences that are meaningful to them through storytelling.

Learn More

 
 

Our History

THE bEAR was founded in 2015 by Dyane Neiman. As founder and director of THE bEAR, Berlin’s favorite personal storytelling event, Dyane together with a passionate & committed team of volunteers including Hanna Martus, Michael Rost, and Deepanker Dua have created a stage for the sharing of over 850 personal stories to over 6,000 listeners in 9 years…

Read more about our history
 

1000+

Personal stories

More than 850 storytellers have Dared to do THE bEAR. With the motto “Bear your soul” storytellers explore meaningful moments in their lives: sometimes funny, sometimes somber, but always touching and from the heart. We are all EARS at the bEAR.

 

7000+

Listeners

Since THE bEAR started in 2015 we have the opportunity to share stories with more than 5000 listeners “live” and even more in our radio shows with KCRW Berlin and our bi-weekly podcast True Stories Berlin.

 
 

11+

Seasons

THE bEAR celebrates its 9th season of true stories for the Berlin community and Beyond.

 
 

Our Shows

THE bEAR offers two types of shows: open mic and handpicked shows. Click the button below for details and tickets for our upcoming events.

Upcoming Events
 

Handpicked Shows

THE bEAR produces curated themed shows, where storytellers are selected and coached beforehand.

The handpicked shows take different shapes: it could be a collaboration with a festival, an organization, or graduates from our storytelling workshops. The Eve of the Champs is the annual show featuring all the Favorite Storytellers winners from the last 10 shows.

Open-Mic

Open stage evenings are full of surprises, entertainment and tellers who dare to do THE bEAR! Anyone can throw their name in the bEAR bucket. If your name is randomly chosen, you have 5 minutes of glory and fame to share your tale at THE bEAR. You may be chosen as the audience’s Favorite and perform in the annual Eve of the Champs.

Berlin-based musicians play “live” between the stories, and a show host takes care of the lively audience interaction.

 

 
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“

Quote from the Audience

"Incredibly inspiring, moving, funny, delightful evening."

– Khushi Pasquale, storyteller / More from the audience

 

 

Check out our YouTube channel

See videos from past events Watch Here

 

Get Involved

The Bear is a non-profit organisation that is powered by a team of storyteller believers. If you would like to contribute in any way, by sharing your time and talent, please let us know!
See options below or find more information under “Community”.

 

Sign Up For a Workshop

The bEAR offers different types of workshops to the community. Together with their close

collaboration partner “The Moving Speaker” There is different options to practise your storytelling craft.

Sign Up

Volunteer opportunities

The bEAR is constantly developing and always need more volunteers in our community.

To see more about the opportunities for volunteering and helping The bEAR click the Botton below!

Learn more

Make a Donation

The bEAR is depending on the help from the community, sponsors and donations.

Help The bEAR make a more connected world where every story matters.

Donate