TedxGatewayArch Holding Open Auditions For 2018 Speakers

ST. LOUIS, MO — Have you ever wanted to give a Ted talk? You know, those infotainment lectures on anything and everything, from astrophysics to pop psychology. It seems like everyone — from Neil deGrasse Tyson to Pope Francis — has given one. Well, now's your chance.

TedxGatewayArch, the organization's independently-organized St. Louis spin-off, is looking for speakers for its 2018 conference to be held in September at the University of Missouri-St. Louis' Touhill Performing Arts Center.

The conference says it is looking for innovators and trailblazers in the fields of technology, entertainment and design — passionate experts who can challenge old ideas, or performers, artists and designers who can give audiences a window into their creative process. "We look for speakers who are passionate, engaging, and have the ability to tell a compelling story," the group says on their website. "Speakers must also have an intrinsic connection to the St. Louis region."

Politics and religion are off-limits, which rules out quite a bit, and prospective speakers will only get three minutes to pitch their talks without any audio-visual aids. Stage presence and the ability to relate concise, engaging ideas will be weighted heavily, the group says.

Applications, which can be found here, will close at midnight Feb. 19. A selection committee with notify applicants by March 3, and live auditions will be held Saturday, March 17. Only 30 applicants will be selected to audition, so work on that pitch if you're interested.

Image via YouTube