The most interesting talk you’ll give on a rug.
Want to “teach” at Wizard Academy?
Many aspire…few are chosen.
But you can give a talk. On the rug. In front of a camera. And that, my friend, is how legends (and LinkedIn posts) are born.
Two Days of Fun
DAY 1 – The Plaid Rug Talks
Give your “TED”-style talk—9 to 18 minutes—on the well-worn rug at the front of the classroom in the fantastic Wizard Academy Tower. A professional photographer will capture your moment. Our video system will capture your talk for posterity. You’ll leave with photos, a video and bragging rights. You’ll be amazing!
But FIRST, you must apply with a proposal. If it passes the Wizard Academy vibe check*, you’re in. You’ll be added to the program and the countdown begins. Just you, your idea, and the rug. If your idea is not accepted, we’ll tell you why and let you come up with something different.
Would you rather be a wall-flower?
Hate public speaking but like watching people talk?
Same cost, you just don’t have to prepare a talk.
Come be in the audience. You can always tell people that we rejected your topic.
Lunch and dinner provided in the tower. Beer, wine, whisky, coffee and assorted beverages provided in the classroom.
DAY 2 – Plaid Shorts Day
We goof off. There is no plan. If the idea of a “no plan” day freaks you out, and you feel like getting on an airplane and leaving, that’s your call. You don’t get a price break for skipping day 2. The rest of us will wear our best plaid shorts, hang out and we might discuss what a party-pooper you were for leaving. That’ll take about 10 minutes and then we’ll move onto something else. What else? We have no idea.
Seriously. No Idea. No structure. No productivity.
That’s how a Plaid Shorts Day works.
Lunch and dinner will be consumed. Sometime. Somewhere. Don’t get your hopes up. Maybe bring a snack along just in case.
The Catch (and the Cred):
This is not a teaching gig.
You give a talk. Period.
Your audience is your classmates.
You’ll leave with upgraded and enhanced credibility
Professional photos of your moment
Video of you on the rug
Brag-worthy credibility
A story to tell your grandkids about that time you gave a talk at Wizard Academy
You MUST be a Wizard Academy alumni to present a talk. Not an alumni? Figure out how to become one before you get here.
Ready to Talk? Here’s What You Do:
Register for the class.
Apply with your talk proposal. (We’ll judge it mercilessly and fairly.)
Show up. Talk. Wear a suit, a kilt or whatever you want for your talk.
Day 2: Wear plaid shorts. Clear your calendar.
Too success-oriented to own plaid shorts? Fine. (Gird your loins and prepare to be judged.)
Why “The Plaid Rug”?
No, the rug’s not actually plaid. That would be tacky.
The plaid is a nod to our sacred tradition: Plaid Shorts Day.
The rug? That’s where the magic happens. It’s not a stage—it’s something better. It’s woven with wizard energy, wild ideas, and probably spilled wine and whisky.
“I gave a talk at Wizard Academy.”
Go ahead. Say it. Out loud. In front of the mirror. Feel how that rolls off your tongue?
What are you waiting for?
FAQ
Q: Can I do a product pitch?
A: Really? Right out of the gate, you ask a question that is against our vibe? NO. You can’t do a product pitch. Share an idea. Tell a great story.
Q: Can I talk about whisky?
A: Are you a certified Whisky Sommelier? I’m answering a question with a question. If you’re a Somm, you can absolutely talk about whisky. Be sure to wear your medallion. Hell, we’ll even hang the Whisk(e)y Marketing School flag behind you.
Q: Can I talk about whisky if I’m not a sommelier?
A: Nobody would hear you. Our classroom has a magical quality that mutes whisky talk if the speaker isn’t wearing a sommelier medallion. BTW…Why aren’t you a sommelier? Become a sommelier if you want to stand in front of a room and talk about whisky. So, no.
Q: What’s the deal with Plaid Shorts?
A: It’s a tradition at Wizard Academy. The wearing of Plaid Shorts is an indicator that a person is busy goofing off. Nobody can accomplish anything worthwhile wearing Plaid Shorts.
Q: Can I tell jokes?
A: I don’t know. Can you? If you have a nice humorous talk or a “tight 10-minutes” that you can deliver like you’re on the tonight show, give it a whirl!
Q: I have slides. Can I use slides?
A: Sure. You MUST provide them to us in advance so we can run everything on one computer.
Q: I’m worried about what happens on day 2.
A: This is an FAQ. That’s not a question. Day 2 will take care of itself. Trust us.
Q: What does it mean to be an alumni?
A: It means you’ve taken an in-person class at Wizard Academy, or an on-line class from Wizard Academy or the Whisk(e)y Marketing School. We often grant alumni status to people who have taken a tour and learned about Wizard Academy. Honestly, it’s not hard. You’ll figure it out.
Q: What’s the cheapest way to become an alumni? Are Bonafide Whisky Enthusiasts considered alumni?
A: Shhhh. That’s a closely-guarded secret way to become an alumni.
Q: I really want to do a product pitch. What if I donate a big sack of cash?
A: Call me.
Q: This whole thing sounds like you’re selling out the magnificent rug at Wizard Academy.
A: We’re elevating it to a position of questionable reverence. We’re not selling out. We’re rugging up.
*Wizard Academy reserves the right to deny your topic if it doesn’t meet our vibe. If you don’t know what our vibe is, you’re probably not an alumni. Come take a class.
Also check out other Workshops in Driftwood, Arts events in Driftwood, Photography events in Driftwood.
