To All Those Going to Berlin this Summer

Here's some advice from an alum:


If you have a long list of people to get souvenirs for, the best souvenir to get is RitterSport chocolate. There is a store at Französische Strasse (that is basically the equivalent to the M&M store in Times Square), and they sell these HUGE bags of assorted RitterSport chocolates for about 15 euros. Considering how one, normal-sized bar is like, on a good day, 1.50 euros, trust me when I say it's a bargain. Because the bags do have a lot of the good stuff. 

While the bag is huge, it's not that heavy to carry. But for whatever reason, if you try and stuff it in your suitcase as you return home from the best three weeks of your life, it magically adds 50 lbs more to your luggage. United is then going to give you the choice of charging 250 euros for being over the maximum weight, or make you take the chocolate out and bring it in the flight as a carryon after you have spent the whole night playing tetris in your suitcase.  At some point, the plastic bag will rip because again, the chocolate magically gained those 50lbs, and you're going to scramble and struggle to find a better bag. You will get weird looks from everyone, and store owners will judge you.

Also, make sure to label which chocolate you are giving to whom. Splitting up the chocolates and putting them in different locations, even when you have told your family which pile is for them which isn't, is not good enough. There will be a huge group of people who will not receive that chocolate.


And unfortunately, that is my best attempt at being funny AND giving good advice without resorting to the cliches.

I think I wrote something in a previous post about cliches, or trying to avoid cliches, or how cliches come from a place of truth.

But if I did make that point before...meh...bringing it up one more time won't kill anyone.

In all seriousness--the only thing I think is most important for everyone to remember is to just go to Berlin with an open mind and heart. 

As Christopher kept telling me, just...allow yourself to explore and get lost.

I know us alums have hyped up the trip a lot (and it's hard not to), but don't, or try not, to go to Berlin anticipating or expecting anything.

"Live in the moment" to quote basic acting. Allow yourselves to take in and process everything that comes your way. Be frustrated at things you don't understand immediately, because that is point that we are learning. Give yourselves the permission to have the takeaway/big lesson be whatever it may be. And if that one (or few) takeaway(s) does not have to do directly with theatre--don't worry about it.

I went to Berlin with the mindset of experiencing Germany and all things German. One of my big takeaways from the trip was a revelation about Greek culture and attitudes towards others. And the very, very, very last thing I wanted was to connect back to my culture.

What can I say? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ It was a lesson that was best taught at that time and place.

I firmly believe that things happen for a reason when it happens. I believe that the ten or so of you going to Berlin this year because there is a lesson catered to you at the other end of the three weeks. Art, theatre, the connection among everyone and the people of the city--it's gonna play a huge role in making that lesson click. As long as you let it be and just make the most of your time there, everything will come together.

You know what? That lesson plan that's meant for you--even if it does not have to do directly with theatre--as artists, you will find a way to channel that lesson in your art. 



With that said...
safe travels everyone! I hope you all have a blast!

With lots of love,

Constantina/Connie