HOST AN EVENT IN YOUR COMMUNITY!
,If you are part of a community of Finnish-Americans and would like to host a story circle or hire Park Cofield to lead puppetry workshop in your community, please send an email to: [email protected]
ABOUT STORY CIRCLES

A "story circle" is a chance for a community to share stories, learn about one another and to talk about a certain theme.
SISU is in the Heart is a play about my family, but it is also about the stories and lives of other Finnish American families. During community story circles, I will lead the groups in a variety of activities to provoke conversations about their own ancestry and ask questions about what it means to be connected to their Finnish roots. The stories (or parts of stories) that people share may find their way into the play that I am writing or inspire characters or scenes. SISU is in the Heart is not intended to be a documentary, but instead a fictional play that has the flavor of the stories and memories that are shared.
STAY TUNED FOR UPCOMING STORY CIRCLE DATES!
SISU is in the Heart is a play about my family, but it is also about the stories and lives of other Finnish American families. During community story circles, I will lead the groups in a variety of activities to provoke conversations about their own ancestry and ask questions about what it means to be connected to their Finnish roots. The stories (or parts of stories) that people share may find their way into the play that I am writing or inspire characters or scenes. SISU is in the Heart is not intended to be a documentary, but instead a fictional play that has the flavor of the stories and memories that are shared.
STAY TUNED FOR UPCOMING STORY CIRCLE DATES!
ABOUT PUPPETRY WORKSHOPS

In a puppetry workshop, participants will build and create a newspaper puppet in the likeness of a pauper statue. Participants will learn basic puppetry skills and simple manipulation techniques in small teams. At the end of the session, teams will create a short play about their community using local stories, customs, and myths.
Cost based on location and size of group
Cost based on location and size of group
PAST EVENTS:
WORLD PREMIERE - FAIRPORT HARBOR
Tickets are FREE for all performances and are available on a first come first serve first basis. There are no assigned seats, but you are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance by calling: 440-549-0129, or emailing [email protected].
AUDITIONS & VOLUNTEER MEETING - FAIRPORT HARBOR

COMMUNITY AUDITIONS: AUGUST 24, 25 @ 5:00-10:00pm
NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED! PARTS FOR ALL AGES!
To schedule an appointment, please email:
[email protected] or call 404.271.6566
VOLUNTEER MEETING: AUGUST 26 @ 7:00pm
Join the production crew! We need with help with sets, costumes, props, and hospitality.
REHEARSALS: SEPTEMBER 12-30 (nights and weekends)
PERFORMANCES:
OPENING NIGHT - Thursday, October1 @ 7:00pm, with reception
(NO SHOW FRIDAY)
Saturday, October 3 @ 2:00pm & 7:00pm
OPENING NIGHT - Sunday, October 4 @ 2:00pm
NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED! PARTS FOR ALL AGES!
To schedule an appointment, please email:
[email protected] or call 404.271.6566
VOLUNTEER MEETING: AUGUST 26 @ 7:00pm
Join the production crew! We need with help with sets, costumes, props, and hospitality.
REHEARSALS: SEPTEMBER 12-30 (nights and weekends)
PERFORMANCES:
OPENING NIGHT - Thursday, October1 @ 7:00pm, with reception
(NO SHOW FRIDAY)
Saturday, October 3 @ 2:00pm & 7:00pm
OPENING NIGHT - Sunday, October 4 @ 2:00pm
STORY CIRCLE - LOS ANGELES

A Story Circle for SISU is in the Heart
Sunday, April 26th, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Ava Anttila’s residence, Bel Air, California
The address and location details will be provided upon RSVP.
You are warmly invited to a story circle to discuss and share stories about "SISU" and the importance of communicating with younger generations about the past. Parts of the stories shared may find their way into a new, fictional play titled SISU is in the Heart, inspired by the contributions of Finnish and Finnish-American communities in the United States. The event is hosted by the SISU is in the Heart project team, and Ava Anttila in partnership with the Consulate General of Finland in Los Angeles.
The event will also include a short presentation on the history of Finnish "pauper statues" (vaivaisukot). Project Director, Park Cofield, will share photos and video documenting his process of creating original pauper statue figures in the likeness of his own Finnish relatives with Finnish artist, Antti Ojala, and speak about how these figures will be used in the play.
Consul General Juha Markkanen will be present at the event.
RSVP - Let us know if you are coming!
Email: [email protected]
T: 310 745 7602
Sunday, April 26th, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Ava Anttila’s residence, Bel Air, California
The address and location details will be provided upon RSVP.
You are warmly invited to a story circle to discuss and share stories about "SISU" and the importance of communicating with younger generations about the past. Parts of the stories shared may find their way into a new, fictional play titled SISU is in the Heart, inspired by the contributions of Finnish and Finnish-American communities in the United States. The event is hosted by the SISU is in the Heart project team, and Ava Anttila in partnership with the Consulate General of Finland in Los Angeles.
The event will also include a short presentation on the history of Finnish "pauper statues" (vaivaisukot). Project Director, Park Cofield, will share photos and video documenting his process of creating original pauper statue figures in the likeness of his own Finnish relatives with Finnish artist, Antti Ojala, and speak about how these figures will be used in the play.
Consul General Juha Markkanen will be present at the event.
RSVP - Let us know if you are coming!
Email: [email protected]
T: 310 745 7602
COMMUNITY READING - FAIRPORT HARBOR
& PUPPET WORKSHOP
April 12, 2015 - Community Reading
April 13, 2015 - Puppet Workshop with high school students
April 13, 2015 - Puppet Workshop with high school students
DAY OF SISU - lOS ANGELES, CA
story-circles - kauhava & lapua, FinLand
November 2014
-Workshop and story circles with puppetry students at TIP-Fest (Turku)
-Story circles with seniors and students (Kauhava and Lapua)
-Puppet Workshop with high school students (Lapua)
See photos and read more here
-Workshop and story circles with puppetry students at TIP-Fest (Turku)
-Story circles with seniors and students (Kauhava and Lapua)
-Puppet Workshop with high school students (Lapua)
See photos and read more here
STORY CIRCLES - FAIRPORT HARBOR
May 13, 2014 - Finnish Heritage Museum
May 14, 2014 - Fairport Harbor Senior Center
See photos and read more here.
May 14, 2014 - Fairport Harbor Senior Center
See photos and read more here.