Stage swapped for lecture hall

What a coincidence! That’s what Constanze Rückert and Britta Werksnis thought when they started the first classes of their master’s program in culture and management at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences in October and met each other. The professional backgrounds of the twelve students in their class are quite diverse: among them are art and cultural studies scholars, business administrators, and cultural managers. But the fact that there are two actresses in the group is unusual.

Under normal circumstances, Constanze Rückert and Britta Werksnis would be on stage right now, rehearsing plays or preparing for future engagements. As freelancers, both are regularly hired by various theaters throughout Germany. But like thousands of other cultural professionals, they currently have no opportunities to perform, no engagements, and no chance to earn money from their work.

Using the Lockdown to Pursue a Degree

Constanze Rückert’s last engagement ended shortly before the first lockdown in the spring. “At the time, I was just in the process of finalizing everything for the near future,” says the 35-year-old. “But everything that was planned was canceled, and nothing new came of it because no theater could say what would happen next.” That’s why, as early as the summer, she quietly came up with the idea of using the time differently: to pursue a degree.

Britta Werksnis was fortunate enough—at least during the period when some theaters were able to open under COVID-19 restrictions between lockdowns—to take part in a summer theater production in Rottweil. “But right now I don’t have any engagements lined up,” says the 33-year-old, “and I can’t plan any either.”

For her, however, the financial situation as a self-employed individual has so far been less precarious than for Constanze Rückert, who is one of those actresses who are repeatedly hired on short notice but do not have a permanent employer and therefore receive neither short-time work benefits nor support as a self-employed person. So far, though, she’s managed to get by reasonably well on her savings and support from friends.

A Good Additional Qualification for Actors

Both actresses had previously considered studying culture and management while working. This is because they not only enjoy performing in plays but also want to develop, organize, and implement their own ideas and projects. “But so far, I haven’t had the confidence to do that,” says Britta Werksnis, “because I lack the tools to manage a project and put it on a stable footing.” There are plenty of artistic ideas, but they also need to be good at organization and economic thinking. “After all, a money-losing venture doesn’t benefit anyone.”

Constanze Rückert also wants to pursue further education for this reason; moreover, she has found that artists are often underestimated when they want to work as career changers in other areas of the cultural sector. “The master’s degree can be a good additional qualification for me.” When the situation in the theater world didn’t improve even after the summer, she reconsidered studying and told herself, “It’s now or never!”

From Stuttgart and Berlin to Görlitz

Britta Werksnis moved from Stuttgart to Görlitz to attend college. “I’m really happy to be able to live in one place for a while,” she says. Although she had an apartment in Stuttgart, she was usually on the go because of her various commitments and was never at home. Constanze Rückert lives in Berlin and has rented a second apartment in Görlitz for her studies.

There are several reasons why the two of them met here of all places. For Constanze Rückert, the city was the closest to Berlin. “Besides, especially in these times of limited contact with others, in-person classes are important to me.” Because the program in Görlitz is small, social distancing is good to maintain, and most classes take place on campus.

For Britta Werksnis, the strong practical focus—which other students had already praised at Görlitz University—played a role . “I come from a practical background, so being able to work hands-on is very important to me even while I’m in school.” The fact that the application deadlines were extended due to the pandemic also worked out well for the two actresses.

Back on stage as soon as possible

For Constanze Rückert and Britta Werksnis, the program is an opportunity to make the best of the lockdown. Completing it—even once the theaters are open again—is a major goal for both of them. Only the first year requires a lot of time in Görlitz; after that, they can organize their studies in a good way and do a lot of practical work, whether in the city or elsewhere.

“But I’m first and foremost an actress,” says Constanze Rückert, “I want to perform as soon as it’s possible again, and ideally use that to finance my studies.” Britta Werksnis feels the same way. “I hope the situation for theaters will soon ease up and we’ll be able to work again.” She even has ideas for performing in Görlitz, as long as the pandemic allows it.

Text: Ines Eifler
The article appeared on November 25, 2020, in the Sächsische Zeitung, Görlitz local edition.