Speechify CEO Stars as Kaladin at Brandon Sanderson's Dragonsteel Nexus 2024

Speechify CEO's dream came true at Brandon Sanderson’s Dragonsteel Nexus 2024.

Cliff Weitzman, CEO of Speechify, stepped into the shoes of Kaladin Stormblessed at Brandon Sanderson’s Dragonsteel Nexus 2024. This annual celebration of Sanderson’s epic worlds, held this year from December 5th to 7th at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, drew fans from around the globe, creating an unforgettable atmosphere of community and creativity. For Weitzman, this wasn’t just a chance to cosplay—it was the culmination of years of admiration for Sanderson’s work, a dream that he never gave up on, and a partnership that has continued to flourish. 

The Path to Kaladin

When Weitzman first read The Way of Kings he was inspired by Kaladin’s unwavering determination and his drive to lift up others. In fact, he always wondered what it would be like to be Kaladin and modeled his leadership style after him. So in 2015, while in college, he decided to reach out to Sanderson, listing ten compelling reasons he’d be an ideal Kaladin in any film adaptation of The Way of Kings.

In 2017, Weitzman became the founder and CEO of Speechify, a leading text to speech platform to help make reading more accessible to all, including people like himself who struggle with dyslexia. As Speechify introduced audiobooks, a partnership with Sanderson followed, bringing Sanderson’s books to audio format via Speechify. 

Their partnership continued to blossom and months before the convention, a pivotal email from Brandon Sanderson, simply titled “Kaladin?,” led to Weitzman auditioning and eventually being cast to portray Kaladin in a show at Dragonsteel Nexus 2024. 

Weitzman expressed his gratitude and excitement on social media: “After many rounds, I got the role. Could not be more grateful to this awesome cast and this amazing experience. Next up, the movie.”

The Way of Kings 

At Dragonsteel Nexus, fans enjoyed the theatrical readings from The Way of Kings, the inaugural book in The Stormlight Archive series, and a tale set in the tumultuous world of Roshar. It weaves the lives of several characters, including Kaladin, who transitions from war hero to slave, and Dalinar, a highprince haunted by ancient visions. The book is beloved for its intricate world-building and deep character arcs and Weitzman's portrayal of Kaladin was particularly noteworthy, capturing the character's complexity and internal struggles with impressive depth, adding a resonant layer to the live readings that deeply connected with the audience.

Dragonsteel Nexus 2024: A Grand Affair

This year's Nexus was Sanderson’s largest convention yet, underscoring the increasing popularity of Sanderson’s novels and the fantasy genre at large. It coincided with the release of Wind and Truth, the newest book in The Stormlight Archive. The event featured an array of activities, from book signings and panel discussions to crafting sessions. Sanderson also announced new projects, including deluxe leather-bound editions of The Wheel of Time and Tailored Realities, a new collection set outside his main Cosmere universe. These initiatives reflect Sanderson’s ongoing commitment to exploring new realms and stories.