La Familia

This multi-arts project plunges into the real lives of incarcerated people. It brings true experiences to the stage in a nuanced and unapologetic fashion. Modern flamenco music thrums in and around the powerful anecdotes.

I have lost more than one family
I have been shut out
I have been incapable of joining.
My tribe is my family.
Self-chosen.
I dare to play.
I can dance again.

This multi-arts project plunges into the real lives of incarcerated people, brought to you by Porttiteatteri and Compañía Kaari & Roni Martin, brings true experiences to the stage in a nuanced and unapologetic fashion. Modern flamenco music thrums in and around the powerful anecdotes. In La Familia, flamenco is a synonym for looking life directly in the eye.

Porttiteatteri is a community theatre company created for people either being released or have already been released from incarceration. The texts in La Familia are based on their lived experiences.

The Compañía’s fantastic musicians include guitarist Juan Antonio Suárez Cano and singer Victor Carrasco who carry the stories deftly forward along with violinist Sanna Salmenkallion and musician-composer Roni Martin. The choreography is designed by Kaari Martin, dramaturgy by Atro Kahiluoto, and the text has been compiled by Tuija Minkkinen together with the performers.

“Working with Porttiteatteri was unusually gratifying. Their ability to throw themselves into the process is unique; they do not force anything, at all. They accessed the deepest soul of flamenco almost spontaneously, but without copying. That’s why this piece is one of my favourite experiences,” choreographer Kaari Martin says.

On stage Porttiteatteri ensemble with Juan Antonio Suárez Cano, Victor Carrasco, Sanna Salmenkallio and Roni Martin
Porttiteatteri artistic management Tuija Minkkinen, Sanna Salmenkallio
Musical compositions Roni Martin, trad
Flamenco guitar pieces Juan Antonio Suárez Cano
Texts Porttiteatteri, trad
Writing direction Tuija Minkkinen
Performance dramaturgy Atro Kahiluoto
Choreography Kaari Martin
Lighting design Jukka Huitila
Mixing Eppu Helle
Photography Nauska, Minna Hatinen
Production Compañía Kaari & Roni Martin, Porttiteatteri

Thanks to Finnish National Theatre wardrobe / Heli Hynynen, the City of Helsinki, the Finnish Cultural Foundation, the Ministry of Education and Culture, TelepArt, Sami and Saana bPorttiteatteri social director Noora Siljander.