"In the Labyrinth of Masks": Theatre Project by the Secondary and Upper Secondary School

What 450 audience members experienced on 24 February 2026 in the Max Taut Hall in Berlin-Rummelsburg was the impressive result of an intensive project week. In just six days, 135 secondary and upper secondary students from the Klax School developed the theatre production "In the Labyrinth of Masks" — a bilingual, modern adaptation of Friedrich Schiller’s world famous classic "The Robbers".

70 young people performed on stage, while another 65 worked in workshops such as set design, costume, props, and video design to bring the production to life. The concept and artistic direction were in the hands of the students themselves, supported by their learning guides. One particular highlight was a revolving stage made of cardboard, designed, built, and operated by the students during the performance.

The theatre project week is a fixed part of the Klax School’s annual calendar. Within a short period of time, young people take on responsibility, organise complex processes, implement creative ideas, resolve conflicts, and grow beyond themselves as a team.

In terms of content, "In the Labyrinth of Masks" explores social values and personal responsibility. The activist group RED POINT exposes issues such as social injustice, environmental pollution, and greenwashing. At the same time, the group itself becomes entangled in tensions surrounding identity, power, and manipulation. The role of social media — particularly platforms such as TikTok — is also critically examined. Masks serve not only as props but also symbolise the different roles and identities people present to the outside world.

Head teacher Nicole Baudisch captured it succinctly in her opening speech: "Theatre means learning in a different way. On stage, young people develop not only characters, but also conviction, courage, expressiveness, and team spirit."

The performance was far more than a cultural highlight. It stands as a visible testament to the extraordinary achievement of 135 young people who realised an ambitious stage production in just one week.

Our heartfelt thanks go to all learning guides of the secondary and upper secondary school, the programme management team, and everyone else involved for their outstanding commitment.