Textual accommodation, the process of altering the structure and form of a text in order to enhance comprehension and relatability across diverse audiences, is critical when adapting culturally significant literature for the stage. Accessibility in theater is an exercise in broadening the worlds that we create as storytellers—its characters, how we cast them, and other narrative strategies. Felix Ferris and Adrian Theisen discuss the logistics of bringing literature to life on a budget as Lamplight Theater Company, a non-profit theater based in Denton, Texas that seeks to bridge the gap between academia and modern audiences. Felix Ferris is a grant-funded playwright and the co-founder of a non-profit arts organization, Lamplight Theater, dedicated to adapting culturally significant literature for the stage. He holds a Master of Arts in Theater and is currently pursuing a PhD in Rhetoric at Texas Woman’s University, with a research focus on its applications in storytelling and narratology. His stage adaptations of Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, Orpheus & Eurydice, and Beowulf have been produced at multiple venues across the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, demonstrating his continued dedication to reinterpreting iconic narratives for contemporary audiences, with a particular emphasis on making these stories accessible and relevant. Felix's process for adapting texts draws from literary studies, performance theory, and critical pedagogy to bridge the gap between academia and the wider community.Adrian Theisen is a theater professional, an artist, and the co-founder of a nonprofit arts organization, Lamplight Theater, dedicated to adapting culturally significant literature for the stage. He graduated from TWU with a B.A. in Acting and Directing last December. With a passion for emotional truth and academic inquiry, Adrian's work interrogates how we construct shared identity through storytelling. He invites you to consider how narratives—inherited, group-constructed, or self-authored—can shape our sense of belonging. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Forget what social media shows you. No bucket list destination will make you feel more fulfilled - but your community will. After years of full-time travel and running a business that brings people together on international group trips, Gavin Greenberg and Jessica Pink share how the greatest lesson they’ve learned from their adventures isn’t about travel at all–it’s about our innate need for human connection. In the midst of a loneliness crisis, Gavin and Jess share their personal, and sometimes embarrassing, stories from around the globe that led them to also create monthlong experiences for remote workers in settings abroad that intentionally contrasted with the often isolating and individualistic culture of the United States, which resulted in a shift of mental health and well-being and showed that the real path to fulfillment is found in community care, not self-care. hh This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Can AI win our trust, our affection, and maybe even our heart? In this TEDx talk, Deborah Nas reveals how AI is increasingly capable of acting like a true companion—becoming our friend, confidant, or even romantic partner.But as AI grows more human-like, what does this mean for our real-life relationships? Explore why we find ourselves emotionally connecting with AI, the opportunities and risks that come with this new intimacy, and why it's essential that we take control of shaping this technology—before it shapes us.Deborah Nas is a professor at Delft University of Technology, innovation lead at the Centre for Quantum & Society, and non-executive board member for various organisations. She uniquely blends technology, business, and psychology to explain how AI impacts our everyday lives. Known for making complex technology easy to understand, Deborah engages diverse audiences with her clear insights and compelling stories about the future. Her first TEDx talk, "Will technology shape our future or will we?", has inspired viewers worldwide. She is also the author of the popular book "Design Things That Make Sense," a practical guide helping innovators and startups create successful technology.This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

PhD student and adoptee Shannon Quist discusses the consequences of the push for adoption as an answer to unwanted pregnancies now that access to abortion is systematically being taken away in the U.S. This message is for people who have never wondered what happens when we succeed in replacing abortion with adoption. As an adoptee, Quist can tell that story. By revisiting Biblical myth, recent American histories, and even some of her own experiences, Quist draws you into a new perspective on the stories you think you know from the news. She clarifies how harmful it is to conflate adoption and abortion as two sides of the same issue and breaks down what we really seem to be fighting about: sexual behavior mores, women’s bodies, the number of white babies in the nation, and labor production. Shannon Quist is a Ph.D. student at Texas Woman’s University in Denton where she currently serves as the Digital Lab Coordinator for the Language, Culture, & Gender Studies department. She’s the author of the novel Rose’s Locket, and the poetry collection Mirrors Made of Ink. Her publications have appeared in the Austin American-Statesman, Severance Magazine, and the Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing’s annual newsletter Connecting the Dots, among others. Her M.A. thesis focused on adoptee-written narratives and resulted in a narrative theory she calls Phantom Worlds which examines the function of character-constructed fantasies in narrative. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

What can growing up in a family of clowns teach you? Carla Francome delves into her personal and workplace experiences, and explores how humor can truly help you handle any situation. Carla Francome spent over two decades as a TV Producer/Director, and in her spare time, built up a following of over 16,000 on social media as an award-winning cycle campaigner. She now does communications and marketing for a small tech company.Whatever she's been working on, and whoever she's been talking to, she's always drawn on one part of her life for the skills she needs - the decade where she worked as a professional clown. Carla grew up in a family of clowns - and performed with her mum and her dad. In her talk, she will be explaining what she learnt when in a red nose and wig, and what you can learn from it too. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Evas reminded us that your presence speaks before you do. Balancing the yin and yang in your image is not just about looking good. It is a powerful tool that shapes your personality, your energy, and your purpose. When you show up aligned, you attract with intention. She has trained hundreds of companies including MNCs, by helping corporate professionals and business owners to elevate their personal and professional presence internationally. Specializing in image psychology, color analysis and functional wardrobe curation, she empowers clients to align their inner values with outward image, unlocking confidence and driving meaningful action. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx