Wild Zappers
Encyclopedia
The Wild Zappers is an all Deaf all male dance group that combines American Sign Language
, music and dance to promote the education of sign language to both Deaf and hearing communities.
" by Janet Jackson
or "Imma Be
" by The Black Eyed Peas
. The Wild Zappers also occasionally tour and dance with the National Deaf Dance Theatre. Videos of Wild Zappers performing can be watched on YouTube
.
The Wild Zappers have two main workshops focusing on American Sign Language and Deaf culture education. "Sign Me a Story" was developed for elementary aged children. "Let's Sign and Dance" is targeted towards families and teaches how Deaf people perform along with American Sign Language.
Fred Beam founded Invisible Hands, Inc. to promote Deaf culture awareness. This non-profit organization recruits groups like the Wild Zappers who want to promote Deaf culture through the arts. They also provide professional training to educate the Deaf to find employment in the arts field. The Wild Zappers and National Deaf Dance Theater are sponsored by Invisible Hands, Inc.
Fred Beam and Warren Snipe have won the Linowes and Media Access Award. Fred Beam was also selected for Essence Magazine "Real Men of the Year" in 2006 for his work in the Deaf community.
Black Deaf Expo
Fred Beam established and hosts the Black Deaf Expo. He is also on the board of Black Deaf Advocates and was once the President of National Black Deaf Advocates. He established a theater program to teach artistic leadership to people of color at Gallaudet University
The Wild Zappers appeared in the movie "If You Could Hear My Own Tune" which premiered in January 2011. The film is about the difficulties of communication and understanding when hearing and non-hearing communities come together.
American Sign Language
American Sign Language, or ASL, for a time also called Ameslan, is the dominant sign language of Deaf Americans, including deaf communities in the United States, in the English-speaking parts of Canada, and in some regions of Mexico...
, music and dance to promote the education of sign language to both Deaf and hearing communities.
Background
The Wild Zappers was formed by Irvine Stewart in 1989.The group is composed of Fred Beam (director), Warren Snipe (Assistant Director), Irvine Stewart, Ronnie Bradley, Kris Pumphrey, Sam Franklin, and George Azmaveth. The group has performed all over North America and has also toured internationally. They perform to popular music like "EscapadeEscapade (song)
"Escapade" is the third single from American R&B and pop singer Janet Jackson's fourth studio album, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 .-Song information:...
" by Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
or "Imma Be
Imma Be
"Imma Be" is a song performed by the American hip-hop group The Black Eyed Peas taken from their fifth studio album The E.N.D. The song's title is a slang expression, meaning "I am going to be" or "I will be" [something or some activity]. Initially released as a promotional single, the song went on...
" by The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas are an American pop group , formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995. The group includes rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, and singer Fergie. Since the release of their third album Elephunk in 2003, the group has sold an estimated 56 million records worldwide...
. The Wild Zappers also occasionally tour and dance with the National Deaf Dance Theatre. Videos of Wild Zappers performing can be watched on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
.
The Wild Zappers have two main workshops focusing on American Sign Language and Deaf culture education. "Sign Me a Story" was developed for elementary aged children. "Let's Sign and Dance" is targeted towards families and teaches how Deaf people perform along with American Sign Language.
Organization
Invisible Hands Inc.Fred Beam founded Invisible Hands, Inc. to promote Deaf culture awareness. This non-profit organization recruits groups like the Wild Zappers who want to promote Deaf culture through the arts. They also provide professional training to educate the Deaf to find employment in the arts field. The Wild Zappers and National Deaf Dance Theater are sponsored by Invisible Hands, Inc.
Dance Style
The Wild Zappers perform using hip-hop and funk dance styles. Although they cannot hear the music they dance to, they utilize eight counts to keep a beat. They can also feel vibrations from the music and a few members of the group wear hearing aides.Public Exposure and Outreach
AwardsFred Beam and Warren Snipe have won the Linowes and Media Access Award. Fred Beam was also selected for Essence Magazine "Real Men of the Year" in 2006 for his work in the Deaf community.
Black Deaf Expo
Fred Beam established and hosts the Black Deaf Expo. He is also on the board of Black Deaf Advocates and was once the President of National Black Deaf Advocates. He established a theater program to teach artistic leadership to people of color at Gallaudet University
Gallaudet University
Gallaudet University is a federally-chartered university for the education of the deaf and hard of hearing, located in the District of Columbia, U.S...
Theatrical Appearances
If You Could Hear My Own TuneThe Wild Zappers appeared in the movie "If You Could Hear My Own Tune" which premiered in January 2011. The film is about the difficulties of communication and understanding when hearing and non-hearing communities come together.
External links
- Wild Zappers at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts