It’s All About The Story
StoryPunk is a creative studio founded by Bora 'Max' Koknar in 2023 with a vision to build a better reality through storytelling. Fueled by a vision of storytelling as a crucial tool to understand and address the world's rapidly evolving challenges, StoryPunk seeks to collaborate with diverse communities to realize and express their unique stories and help individuals succeed in their everyday lives. At its core, StoryPunk is driven by the belief that we can transform the mundane into the extraordinary through context and story, and that a better future can be crafted by imagining fresh, modern systems for a more vibrant and equitable creative ecosystem.
Right now, humanity is at a crossroads. On one hand, we are experiencing the most significant communication revolution in human history. On the other, we are faced with some of the most complex existential threats to humankind. StoryPunk operates on the premise that storytelling is technology—perhaps the very first technology. Through storytelling, we weave together knowledge and context; stories give data meaning, help us make sense of delayed gratification, and communicate the value of new technologies, passing them down through generations.
It is time to re-engage with what is old with fresh new eyes, to look at it as a device that can help us understand and address the existential threats we all face. Within the history of storytelling lies a deep well of collective knowledge, a reservoir that we need now more than ever to help us navigate and make sense of our present world.
Bora "Max" Koknar:
Founder & Creative Director
Bora "Max" Koknar is a visionary Turkish-born artist and immersive creator, whose work spans over 19 years and 300 innovative projects, engaging over half a million people globally. As the founder of StoryPunk, Max combines his diverse background in theatre, technology, and experiential design to forge unforgettable narratives that resonate deeply across varied audiences.
Max has been recognized by prominent media outlets like The New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and American Theatre Magazine, celebrated for his role as one of the Bay Area’s most dynamic pandemic-era innovators. His collaborative endeavors include prestigious partners such as Meta, Apple, and Google, and have been supported by grants from the Knight Foundation, California Arts Council, and San Mateo County Arts Commission.
Educated by master practitioners such as SITI Company's Barney O'Hanlon and Akiko Aizawa, and Marcel Marceau collaborators Gregg Goldston and Jeanine Thompson, Max brings a rich blend of acting, mime, and physical theatre to his productions. Notable works include "The Super Secret Society: a Playable Play," lauded as the first professional U.S. theatre production co-written with an AI, showcasing his commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology with traditional performance art.
Max’s dedication extends beyond the stage to his impactful work as an executive coach and leadership trainer, where he leverages storytelling to enhance organizational dynamics and personal growth. His efforts have earned him accolades such as the Center for Cultural Innovation’s CALI Catalyst award, affirming his profound impact on the arts and beyond.
With a passion for building community through storytelling, Max continues to push creative boundaries, making StoryPunk a crucible for innovation in how stories are told, experienced, and remembered.