The Wild Zappers is an all

deaf Deafness has varying definitions in cultural and medical contexts. In medical contexts, the meaning of deafness is hearing loss that precludes a person from understanding spoken language, an Audiology, audiological condition. In this context it ...

all male dance group that combines

American Sign Language American Sign Language (ASL) is a natural language that serves as the predominant sign language of Deaf communities in the United States of America and most of Anglophone Canadians, Anglophone Canada. ASL is a complete and organized visual lang ...

, 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 Warren Snipe, also known by stage name Wawa (also stylized in all caps), is a deaf writer, rapper, actor and performer. He was featured in the R&B artist Maxwell's "Fingers Crossed" lyric video and has completed an album called ''Deaf: So What'' ...

(Assistant Director), Irvine Stewart, Ronnie Bradley, Kris Pumphrey, Sam Franklin, Buck Rogers, and George Azmaveth. The group has performed all over North America and has also toured internationally. They perform to popular music like " Escapade" by

Janet Jackson Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. She is noted for her innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows. Her sound and choreog ...

or "

Imma Be "Imma Be" is a song recorded by the American group the Black Eyed Peas for their fifth studio album ''The E.N.D.'' (2009). The song's title is a slang expression, meaning "I am going to be" or "I will be". Initially released as a promotional sing ...

" by

The Black Eyed Peas Black Eyed Peas (also known as The Black Eyed Peas) is an American musical group consisting of rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo. The group's line-up during the height of their popularity in the 2000s featured Fergie, who replaced Kim Hil ...

. 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 is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...

. 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

Awards Fred Beam and Warren Snipe have won the Linowes and Media Access Award. Fred Beam was also selected for

Essence Magazine ''Essence'' is a monthly lifestyle magazine covering fashion, beauty, entertainment, and culture. First published in 1970, the magazine is written for African-American women. History Edward Lewis, Clarence O. Smith, Cecil Hollingsworth and Jon ...

"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 also served on the board of Black Deaf Advocates and was once the President of

National Black Deaf Advocates The National Black Deaf Advocates (NBDA) is the leading advocacy organization for thousands of Black people, Black deaf and hard of hearing people in the United States. Black Deaf leaders were concerned that deaf and hard-of-hearing African-Americ ...

. He established a theater program to teach artistic leadership to people of color at

Gallaudet University Gallaudet University ( ) is a private federally chartered research university in Washington, D.C. for the education of the deaf and hard of hearing. It was founded in 1864 as a grammar school for both deaf and blind children. It was the first sc ...

Theatrical Appearances

If You Could Hear My Own Tune 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.

References

External links

Wild Zappers
at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts {{authority control Deaf culture in the United States Dance companies in the United States Deafness arts organizations Deafness organizations in the United States Disability organizations based in the United States