Before Taking the Stage: TEDxEvansville Speaker Experience
We search year-round for presenters who will inform and inspire, surprise and delight. No idea or concept is to be considered ordinary. Having an idea at all, and a platform to spread that knowledge to attempt to improve others’ lives is, in itself, extraordinary. Residents, civilians, business owners, CEOs and executives all share the same power and importance on the TEDx stage.
Speak Up
To get on the TEDxEvansville stage, you can be nominated by someone else or apply for yourself. Perhaps it’s been on your bucket list to give a TED talk — take the first step to making it happen and apply using the Speaker Application form.
If you know someone who has an idea worth sharing, we want to hear from you — please use our Speaker Recommendation form, and tell us why this person would be well-matched for the TED stage.
Applications and nominations will be accepted until Friday, May 25, 2018 at midnight.
Show Up
Auditions
You’ll be given an opportunity to audition in July if your idea is selected from the applicants. The audition is quasi casual and your talk doesn’t have to be completely refined at this stage. You will have 7-10 minutes to present. After, you’ll have open dialogue and Q&A with the judges. All auditions are capped at 30 minutes.
After auditions, the curatorial team meets and discusses the candidates. Team members may reach out to potential candidates with additional questions and talk suggestions. If the aspiring speaker isn’t willing to compromise with the coach’s recommended suggestions, they will not be selected. The coaches are knowledgeable and experienced in TED talks, and your ability to adapt and consider their feedback is critical.
The Decision
Within 2-3 weeks, you will receive an email informing you whether or not you’ve been selected as a TEDxEvansville speaker.
The first week of August, speakers will be announced to the public.
Individual Coaching
TEDx coaches choose a speaker to prepare for the big day. Because not all coaches are judges, a second audition may be necessary to match you with a coach who may not have been present during your first audition. Speakers will receive an email with their coach assignment, and next steps. It is the coach and speaker’s responsibility to create and begin a training schedule.
No two coaching experiences are the same. Coaches help speakers with verbiage, body language, emotion and tone, event attire, and anything else to help craft and deliver the best version of your talk.
It’s not uncommon for the coaches and speakers to form close relationships — they want you to succeed just as much as you want to succeed. Often, mentoring continues long after the TEDx event. Remember, coaches choose you … no one is randomly assigned, you’re matched.
Warm-Up
Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse
Rehearsals – and a lot of them – are a necessity for speakers to deliver a truly moving, powerful talk. Not only will you be practicing regularly on your own, with your coach, or with trusted friends, you can also expect:
- 3-4 Weeks Before the Event - Every speaker will present in the venue to get a feel for where they are with their talk, approximate length, etc.
- Dress Rehearsal - Dress rehearsal is a critical step in the preparation process because it allows speakers a chance to get even more comfortable in the space.
You’re Up!
You will receive an internal schedule before the day of the event. On the day of, coaches will be there for support, and there will be someone guiding the event behind the scenes. There will be an emcee hosting the event and introducing all the speakers — all you have to do is show up and deliver your talk!