Have they got a story to tell: KC hosts Storytelling Network conference

Storytellers are coming to Kansas City. For good.

Kansas City, the new home of the National Storytelling Network, is hosting its annual National Storytelling Conference at the Marriott Country Club Plaza Hotel from Thursday, July 21, through Sunday, July 24. The conference also has free events around the city on Wednesday, July 20.

Kansas City beat out Chicago and Pittsburgh to be the new home of the network, which will be part of the Woodneath Library Center. Kansas City’s central location and airport helped persuade the group to move from Jonesborough, Tenn., according to Jamie Mayo, a member of the planning committee.

“Kansas City really did a full court press on getting the network here,” Mayo said. “The city got involved, and the arts community got involved. Kansas City really wanted it.”

The storytelling conference is made up of workshops, keynotes and master classes for beginners and advanced storytellers alike, ranging in topics from marketing tips to developing family stories and improving basic storytelling skills. In previous years, 300 to 500 people attended the conference.

Mayo has been storytelling for over a decade, although she said she always used storytelling to communicate. She thinks many people are natural storytellers, but they may not realize it.

“Stories really move people,” Mayo said. “I’ve always felt stories connected me to people. It’s how I learn, it just makes sense to me.”

Whether you’re a serious storyteller or just curious, there is a workshop for everyone, according to Mayo. She said that therapists, ministers, researchers, teachers and everyone in between can benefit from learning about storytelling.

One of Mayo’s favorite storytellers, Elizabeth Ellis, will be teaching a workshop for beginners about assessing storytelling skills to tell better stories. The workshop will be 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Friday, July 22.

“Anytime I can, I follow her and listen to everything she says about storytelling,” Mayo said. “She’s been telling stories for a long time, and her stories really touch your heart. She’s just an amazing woman.”

Online registration for the conference is closed, but attendees can register in person.

This story was originally published July 19, 2016 at 3:53 PM with the headline "Have they got a story to tell: KC hosts Storytelling Network conference."