Storyteller Will Hornyak Inspires Imaginations At A Host Of Conferences And Seminars

By Joseph Magarac

Portland, Oregon: Fairytales for a conference of trial lawyers? Aesop at a breakfast roundtable for business executives?

Hard to imagine unless you've watched a skilled storyteller at work. But there is a budding group of such professional storytellers infusing myths and folktales, fables and tall tales into conferences and seminars throughout the country.

As well as entertaining their audiences, these storytellers draw upon sources of information and knowledge which may offer a unique approach, an uncanny insight into a given conference theme.

One of his popular programs is entitled "Follow the Fool and Kiss the Frog," a synthesis of masterfully crafted and well-told fairy and folktales from India, Ireland, Japan and North America.

The stories, some funny, some soulful and poignant, speak to the value of "counter-intuitive wisdom", the kind of thinking often championed by the "fool but dismissed by king," according to Hornyak.

"These stories enchant us and take us beyond the realm of the critical mind," said Hornyak

"The critical mind is very useful, but it is also a major impediment to visionary thinking. Interestingly, storytelling requires that the audience literally make visions or images in their own imaginations," said Hornyak.

A teacher of storytelling to business students at Portland State University and to communications majors at Marylhurst University, Hornyak believes that many problems within organizations and societies generally stem from "a lack of imagination -- the inability to "re-imagine" an issue, a job, a relationship, an entire life.

"When people listen to stories they relax into a teachable moment," says Will Hornyak, a professional storyteller from Portland, Oregon who offers dozens of performances and workshops each year. Business and governmental organizations, social service agencies, foundations and associations alike have sought Hornyak as a creative alternative to the typical motivational speaker.

A former journalist in Latin America and a history graduate from Marquette University, Hornyak draws from oral traditions including Celtic, African, Greek, and Native American, to create his presentations.

Hornyak said that stories and the ritual of storytelling have always been important to societies because they inspire "divergent thought" and offer multitudes of perspectives and ideas without asking for agreement or compliance.

"Storytelling provides a microcosm for that very process of creating a new reality from our own imaginations," said Hornyak. "And storytelling delights us. It touches our hearts and reminds of us our elemental humanity."

Hornyak has performed and provided workshops for the American Cancer Society, the Oregon Department of Human Resources, corporations like Johnson Controls Inc. and professional associations such as the American Society of Death and Grief Counselors. He is a member of the National Storytelling Network, the Healing Story Alliance and an adjunct faculty member at Portland State University and Marylhurst University.