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Playful Career Entry

Group of performers in historical costumes in front of the entrance to the Bremen Story House. The individuals represent various historical characters, including musicians, guards, and other figures depicted at the Bremen Story House. The building's facade with windows and a door is visible in the background.

Since May 2006, Bremen’s city history has been successfully presented as a “living museum” at Wüstestätte 10: Within the historic setting of the St. Jakobus Warehouse in the Schnoor district, unemployed individuals take on the roles of famous Bremen figures and present themselves to visitors in (self-made) historical costumes.

At the Bremen Story House, long-term unemployed individuals learn the basics of scenic acting under professional guidance: step by step, they are trained to use their voice, interpret and present texts, practice stage presence, and perform in front of an audience.

Two individuals working at sewing machines in a costume workshop. In the background, a rustic brick wall is visible. On the table are fabrics, sewing tools, and accessories while the individuals sew white fabrics.
Group of individuals in a room at the Bremen Story House, including Ulrich Mickan, the original leader and organizer, standing in an orange shirt. In the foreground, a person in a wheelchair is seated, while other participants listen attentively. The room has a historical atmosphere with visible wooden beams and exhibits in the background.

The success is visible to everyone: Visitors to the Bremen Story House enjoy, for example, meeting a living Gesche Gottfried and directly asking her why she served her husband rat poison. The participants enjoy engaging with the life stories of Bremen’s original characters, immersing themselves in these foreign roles while playfully expressing themselves and simultaneously finding a place to hide behind the roles.

A man working in a workshop for set construction. He is wearing an apron and working on a wooden board placed on a workbench. In the background, a brick wall, tools, wood shavings, and additional materials create a creative work environment.
Performers rehearsing their roles in a practice room with wooden flooring and large mirrored walls. Some are dressed in historical costumes, focusing on their scenes as a group. The room is brightly lit and conveys a professional working atmosphere.

The conclusion is clear: Engaging with the stories of the lives, works, and fates of Bremen’s renowned individuals fosters courage and motivation to shape one’s own life independently. Group cohesion, mutual support and validation, and the positive feedback from visitors all contribute to a rewarding and enriching experience.

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