TEDxDayton speakers to include Wright State faculty and alumni

Joe Deer, distinguished professor of musical theatre and Musical Theatre Initiative director, is one of several Wright State-affiliated speakers participating in TEDxDayton on Oct. 14. (Photo by Erin Pence)

TEDxDayton is bringing a lineup of 18 professionals with knowledge and skills ranging from working in the funk music hall of fame to marketing and fitness. Speakers include Wright State professors and alumni.

The fourth annual TEDxDayton will take place on Friday, Oct. 14, at the Victoria Theatre in downtown Dayton. Tickets are sold out for this year’s conference.

Technology, Entertainment and Design (TED) is a nonprofit organization devoted to spreading ideas through 18-minute-or-less talks in more than 100 languages. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized, independent events that feature TED-style videos and live speakers.

Wright State-affiliated speakers will address a variety of topics including the re-development of musical theatre, fitness, modern library transformation and LGBTQ advocacy.

Wright State affiliates include: Joe Deer, professor and Musical Theatre Initiative director; alumna Cassie Guard, owner and CEO of Femme Fatale Fitness; alumnus Ryan Ireland, author and publicity and marketing coordinator for the Greene County Public Library; and alumnus Jonah Yokoyama, executive director of Heartland Trans Wellness Group.

“I’m talking about exciting recent developments in musicals, including ‘Hamilton,’” said Deer, who will speak on “Changing the Game in Musical Theatre.” “It’s a constant evolvement of itself. And it has to change to stay relevant to its audience and that is what is happening right now.”

Ryan Ireland earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English at Wright State. (Photo by Chris Snyder)

Ireland will discuss the evolution of libraries in the 21st century and the creative opportunities that libraries bring.

“I think libraries are moving away from being repositories of books and are moving toward becoming creation centers,” said Ireland, whose brother, Steven Poelzing also gave a TED Talk in Virginia last year. “This is exciting because it means for the first time in the history of libraries the patron has the opportunity to help shape the library’s collection.”

“The day of the TED Talk is like a sampler of all the different things going on in our community, and I can’t wait to take it all in,” Ireland said.

Wright State has a history of involvement with TEDxDayton.

“I love the subject that I’m talking about. And I love being able to share that with folks and talking to people that I might not get to connect with otherwise,” said Deer. “Wright State is very engaged with the TED experience. … There’s a lot of people from Wright State who manage it.”

For more information, visit tedxdayton.com.

A free showing of TEDxDayton will be held at the Dayton Dental Collaborative. For more information and to register call 937-435-5163.