TaY TALKS
TaY TALKS is a creative speechmaking programme which is being run as part of the Truth about Youth
programme at the Royal Exchange Theatre. On Monday 9 November the Royal Exchange will be hosting an
evening of talks, rants, speeches and creative provocations - ranging in content from the personal to the
political - which shine a spotlight on the issues that are important to young people in 2015. A TaY Talk can
be about anything at all - something you love, something that makes you angry, or an experience that made
you who you are today… As long as you can speak with PASSION, you will find an audience willing to listen.
TaY Talks will include a mixture of live talks, filmed talks, animations, music and performance. We are
looking for submissions from young people aged 14—25 who would like to contribute to the event. You
might want to come and give your Talk live, or you might prefer to film it and send it in to us for screening
on the day. Each Talk can be up to 3 minutes long, and can take any format - the more creative the better!
All Talks will need to be submitted by Friday 23 October, and we will then select the final Talks which will be
included in the event.
Why not create your own TaY Talk and send it to us for inclusion in the TaY Talks event?
Follow these simple steps and share your ideas with us.
5 STEPS TO MAKING YOUR OWN TAY TALK
1. WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU?
We want to know what you are passionate about. Take some time to pinpoint what you feel strongly about
and to think about what you want your talk to communicate. Try to make your argument something that is
personal to you - remember, it’s your viewpoint we want to hear.
2. GET CREATIVE
Now that you have a theme, think about what form your talk will take. If you think a traditional speech
might not be your thing, why not write a poem or sing a song instead? Or if you’d rather not appear on
camera then why not think about using visual aids to illustrate your talk? If there's a group of you who want
to chat about the topic, that's fine, just make sure we can hear you all clearly.
3. WRITE IT DOWN
Even if you don't want to write your whole talk down, you'll probably find it useful to write yourself some
notes to make sure that you say everything that you need to. Remember to make sure that you don’t give
too much personal information away in your Talk (e.g. please try not to use full names), and please also be
aware that although we want to hear what you have to say, we won’t be able to use your Talk if it contains
offensive language. Remember, each TaY Talk can be up to 3 minutes long, so don’t write too much!
PLEASE TURN OVER
4. PRACTICE!
Your Talk can be performed however you would like. Once you've practiced a few times, why not try out a
test - perhaps ask a friend or family member to let you know what they think, or try filming yourself and
watching it back so that you can see how your Talk sounds. Have a think about what works and what
doesn't, what's clear and what isn't. Make any edits that you want to.
5. SEND US YOUR IDEAS
Once you feel happy with your Talk, it’s time to send it in to us (using the contact details below).

If you would like to come and give your Talk live in person at the TaY Talks event on 9 November then
please send us some more information about what you would like to talk about. You might want to
send us a written version of your Talk, or you might want to create a rough film of you talking to
camera so that we can find out more about your ideas. If you are selected to present your Talk live,
we will be in touch with you to offer you support to help you prepare for the TaY Talks event, including
advice about public speaking, voice projection, and ways of managing nerves.

If you would like to send in a filmed version of your Talk for us to screen at the TaY Talks event then
create and send us your final film. Your film can tell stories with images as well as with words, so think
about where you want to set your film (although try not to film against a recognisable background like
your street name or front door etc). Some people find that looking into the camera can put them off,
so you don’t have to address the camera directly if you don’t want to.
WANT SOME INSPIRATION?
Here are a selection of talks which might help provide some inspiration as you think about creating your
own TaY Talk…

What adults can learn from kids www.ted.com/talks/adora_svitak#t-82306

Financial aid (spoken word) www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMGRpzf2RL8

Environmental awareness www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbmttNtn6f4

The internet in society (animated talk) https://youtu.be/Uk8x3V-sUgU

Housing benefit (speech from the House of Commons) https://youtu.be/lZAmhB55_-k

Free Speech www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTqWSypMJfY

Mental health (using cue cards): www.itv.com/news/border/update/2014-10-15/hundreds-ofthousands-of-views-for-chloe-kacedans-video/

Identity (spoken word) www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBkqJw8zr_I

The importance of family www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSQQK2Vuf9Q

Politics and voting www.youtube.com/watch?t=11&v=19cEE3nwOZE

Beach Bodies (spoken word) www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVnPQw0f8Qc

The Education system (animated talk) https://youtu.be/zDZFcDGpL4U
Please send your Talks to [email protected]
*** IMPORTANT: If you are sending us a film then please send it via www.wetransfer.com
as our email server isn’t able to receive large film files ***
All Talks will need to be submitted by Friday 23 October, and we will then select the final Talks which
will be included in the event. We will let you know whether you have been successful by Monday 26
October. If you would like any further information about TaY Talks or would like to speak to someone
before sending in your Talk then please call 0161 615 6775.