In this episode of Mindful Leaders, we explore the life of Sona Tatoyan, writer, actress, producer, and founder of Hakawati. This non-profit storytelling medium helps raise the voices of frontline and marginalized communities. Born to Syrian Armenian parents in Baltimore, Maryland, Sona grew up balancing two very different cultures: American rural life and a Middle Eastern, Syrian, and Armenian environment. Her journey as a film writer and actress was paved by mentors like Dr. Maya Angelou, Bill Esper, and Osman Kavala, which took her on international stages and theaters. She then wrote Azad, a storytelling piece performed in Los Angeles, Boston, Berlin, and recently Yerevan, which led to theatrical experiences entitled Azad, the Rabbit and Wolf, produced by Bill Pullman. In this episode, we dive deep into Sona’s heart and soul to talk about the birthplace of her motivations for storytelling, scriptwriting, producing, and acting, from Urfa, Aintab and Kharpert. We discuss the importance of authenticity, self-fulfillment, calling, and mindfulness.
About Sona Tatoyan
Sona Tatoyan is a first-generation Syrian-Armenian-American actor, writer, and producer with bases in Aleppo, Syria; Berlin, Germany; LA, California; and Yerevan, Armenia. As an actress, stage credits include world premieres at Yale Repertory Theatre, The Goodman Theatre, The American Conservatory Theatre and others. She starred in The Journey, the first American independent film shot in Armenia (winner, Audience Award Milan Film Festival, 2002). As a writer, her first feature film script, The First Full Moon, was a 2011 Sundance/RAWI Screenwriters Lab participant and 2012 Dubai Film Connection/Festival Project. Tatoyan created the storytelling piece Azad and its multimedia theatrical experience (Azad – the Rabbit and the Wolf), which began development in January 2023 at The Vineyard Theatre in NYC, directed by Bill Pullman. This piece has had residences at Harvard Artlab and at Wake Forest University Character and Leadership. Tatoyan founded Hakawati, a non-profit storytelling vehicle that elevates the voices of frontline and marginalized communities. She is currently developing a TV series on Aleppo through the 20th century entitled Three Apples Fell from Heaven. Tatoyan served on the World Cinema Jury of the Duhok IFF in Iraqi Kurdistan (2016) and as Rudolf Arnheim Guest Artist Professor at Humboldt University in Berlin (2017). Speaking engagements include: “Storytelling as Spiritual Vehicle: A response to the Armenian Genocide and Syrian Refugee Crisis” at The Brandenburger Gate Foundation, Berlin, and “Trauma, Magic, Love: Being in Aleppo with Karagöz Puppets, My Ancestors and the Spirit of Osman Kavala” at CMES Harvard University. Tatoyan is a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and received her yoga teaching certification in Goa, India. She is a graduate of the William Esper Studio in NYC, where she studied acting with Bill Esper, and a graduate of Wake Forest University with a B.A. in English and Theater, where she was mentored by Dr. Maya Angelou.
Program Overview
Mindful Leaders dives into the stories of people who have achieved prominence, walked incredible journeys, and have defined culture.
Lara sits down with specialists, thinkers, and change catalysts to deconstruct insights, events, and lessons that have shaped their personal and professional lives and have enabled them to create meaning and connection.
