Man is walking and comes to a fork in the road.
“He felt that he was still groping in the dark; he had chosen his path but kept looking back, wondering whether he had misread the signs, whether he should not have taken the other way.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Every decision chisels the masterpiece of your life.
Just as a sculptor shapes a block of stone, every choice we make carves the path we walk. From deciding whether to cook or eat out, to whether we stay or go, each decision adds definition to who we are. Some create subtle lines, while others make bold cuts, forever altering the course of our lives.
Will you take the scholarship abroad or stay for love? Leap at the opportunity in front of you, or wait for something more? These moments of decision sculpt our futures, and every path not taken leaves its mark.
We invite storytellers to share their own pivotal moments—whether monumental or everyday—and how those choices shaped who they’ve become.
Got a story? Step onto our stage and share it! If you'd like feedback before you take the spotlight, send your audio, video, or script to hello@thebear-storytelling.de.
For newcomers to THE bEAR, prepare for a warm, cozy atmosphere, where live music and lively interaction set the tone. Whether you have a story or not, you’re welcome! We arrive as strangers but leave more connected through these shared human experiences.
“An incredibly inspiring, moving, funny, delightful evening.”
—Khushi Pasquale, storyteller
At the end of the evening, the audience will vote for their favorite story, and the winning storyteller will be invited to our annual Eve of the Champs in June 2025.
If you’ve got a story, we got a stage!
FAVORITE Storyteller & Show host Izzy Ahrbeck with pianist Rory C. Malone on stage at THE bEAR; Video still from Michael Rost
DATE: Friday, 15 November at 8 pm
VENUE: Theatersaal in ZENTRUM | Danziger Straße 50 | 10435 Berlin
HOST: Izzy Ahrbeck
MUSIC: Rory C. Malone
TICKET DONATION: 12,50 € general; 10 € reduced
Show Host
Izzy Ahrbeck
Izzy Ahrbeck on stage at THE bEAR “Eve of the Champs”; photo: Emmi Mascher
Tokyo-born to German and Canadian parents, Izzy's life has been fueled by curiosity and wanderlust. Having called 8 countries home, she currently resides in Berlin...for now. A lifelong storyteller, Izzy began creating "newscast" videos as a child, later becoming a freelance journalist and then immersing on film sets herself in Toronto's arts scene.
After working in film and music, she felt a lost sense of purpose, prompting a career switch and move to Barcelona for a master's in Sustainable Business & Innovation. Now, she is the Head of Community at Impact Hub Berlin and in her spare time, Izzy also hosts storytelling workshops for social impact. She joined the Berlin storytelling community in late 2020 and has won 5 "favourite story of the night" titles. But her favourite part about coming to THE bEAR is reconnecting with the very vibrant and diverse community of storytellers.
Musician
RORY C. MALONE
is a sculptor and pianist. All stemming from a basis of improvisation, his piano playing spans a variety of styles while remaining playful and eclectic.
@rory_malone
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 Moving Speaker.
Informative videos @ Berlin from 35-year experienced city guide Michael Rost.
Why just speak? Inspire! Training in storytelling & public speaking that moves listeners to action.
If you miss this show, you can have front row seats to beautiful stories made by THE bEAR with love on our bi-weekly podcast wherever 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.