Renegade Speaking school
october fall daytime series
Where public speaking is playful and fun (yes, really).
A four-week daytime speaking series where you'll practice, play, get coached and get a whole lot more comfortable speaking in front of people.
Thursdays, October 8 - 29th
12:30 - 2:00pm | The Arts Hub, Lafayette, CO
Get off the sidelines and on the stage.
Here's the thing about public speaking: the only way to get better is to actually do it. At the Renegade Speaking School, we don't spend a lot of time talking about speaking. We do it.
Our classes are built around theater, improv, storytelling, games, laughter and a whole lot of reps. You'll get up, try things, get coached, laugh about it and try again. You'll learn from watching your classmates and start figuring out what works for you.
You don't need a talk. You don't need speaking experience. And you definitely don't need to know whether you want to become a “public speaker.” You just need to be willing to get up and try.
What we'll work on:
Each week has a different focus, but expect to work on things like stage presence, storytelling, thinking on your feet, using your voice and body, managing nerves, and bringing more of your personality into the room.
You'll experiment with pace, energy, humor, movement and delivery and start noticing the habits that show up when you're nervous.
And throughout all of it, a lot of time up on your feet, in front of the room getting in reps that build your confidence.
Your classes are so different than any of the public speaking training I've done in the past. I'm loving it!
TedX Speaker, Renegade Speaking School Student
Meghan Bonde
You are such a great coach!
We take play seriously.
A lot of traditional speaker training and programs focus on where to stand, how to be more professional and what not to say. I think play, presence and personality are a hell of a lot more important than polish and professionalism.
That doesn't mean skills don't matter. They do and we work on them but I don't have a cookie cutter approach that just grinds out more boring and safe speakers.
But I think grown-ups need more opportunities to play.
Especially when we're trying to get better at something that makes us nervous and vulnerable.
Play gives you permission to try something before you know whether it's going to work. It gets you out of perfection mode. It makes it easier to experiment, take a risk and try again.
That's why theater, storytelling and improv are at the heart of Renegade Speaking School.
WHO is this for?
You might want to feel more confident presenting at work, get better at sales or meetings, tell better stories, bring more humor and personality into how you communicate, or simply stop freaking out when all eyes are on you.
You might be curious about speaking on bigger stages.
Or you might have absolutely no idea what you want to do with speaking and just think, I should probably get better at this.
Total beginners are welcome. So are people who speak all the time.
You don't need a five-year speaking plan. You just need to be willing to get up and do it.
The short version: People who want to get better at speaking.
Fair Warning...
I'm going to make you talk.
Hey, I'm Jen — the Renegade Speaking Coach. I've had a mic in my hand, a talk in my head or a song coming out of my mouth since I was doing shows for my stuffies (and patient AF parents) in the 80s.
I have over two decades of professional acting, speaking and entrepreneurship under my belt—which means I've spent most of my adult life performing, teaching, facilitating and getting in front of rooms full of people. I've also been nervous as hell before speaking, forgotten what I was going to say, tried too hard to get things “right” and worried about what people thought. Any speaking coach who tells you otherwise is full of shit.
That's a big part of why I created Renegade Speaking School because you don't get more comfortable speaking by waiting until you feel confident. You get more comfortable by getting up, trying things, making mistakes, laughing, learning what works and doing it again.
And for those who like credentials: I have a dual degree in musical theater and public communication from American University, studied voice, acting and improv in NYC, and have 20+ years of professional stage and commercial experience - including a year-long tour with The Kennedy Center and commercials with clients including USPS, Jackson Hewitt and Science Moms.
I love speaking and want to help you fall in love with it, too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I write my keynote in this class?
No. This isn't a keynote writing program. It's about building presence, confidence, and finding your voice all of which are the foundation that makes everything else land better. Want help developing a specific talk? Check out the Rooftop Session or ask Jen about one-on-one coaching.
Do I need experience?
No. Whether you've never spoken in front of a group or you're already comfortable on stage, this class meets you where you are.
How is this different from Toastmasters or other speaking programs?
Toastmasters is peer-led, highly structured, and great if you want consistent practice and a clear curriculum to work through. RSS is different. It's facilitated, built around your specific stories and voice, incorporates improv, theater and movement and is designed to be alive and a little messy in the best way. Think less rulebooks and more room to play.
What if I have to miss a session?
I understand that life happens. You'll still get enormous value from the sessions you attend. That said, showing up consistently is where the real magic happens.
Will i get one-on-one coaching?
This is a group experience, but you'll get real feedback and attention in every session. If you want dedicated one-on-one work, reach out about private coaching.
Is this only for women or moms?
Nope. The Renegade Speaker School is open to decent humans who want to find their voice and use it. All humans over the age of 18 are welcome.