User:Brittyj26/Sandbox

Keith Wann - Keith Wann is a well known, extremely successful ASL comedian who performs his comedy show for Deaf and hearing crowds. He is very popular within the Deaf community and one of the most well known ASL performers. His comedic performances are done in ASL accompanied with trained interpreters who he travels with and are familiar with his acts. Wann has been traveling and performing shows and tours for about 20 years. His parents are both deaf making him a CODA, Child of a Deaf Adult, also growing up using sign language. Wann grew up in two separate cultures, hearing and Deaf. Having experiences with Deaf culture through his Deaf parents communicating with American Sign Language, and the hearing world including people who did not sign, left Wann with two different cultural experiences. Wann incorporates stories about being a CODA and stories connected with the Deaf community all while able to make his shows enjoyable for deaf people, CODA’s and hearing people who may not be familiar with the Deaf community. Along with being a performer Keith Wann is also a well known skilled interpreter. As well as interpreting Wann also hosts a radio talk show called, “That Keith Wann Show – Cultural Bridges” that allows Deaf people to listen to the radio without any exclusions. Another benefit of the radio station is that it allows hearing people to experience and learn a about Deaf culture. Wann has also had the opportunity to be cast as an extra on Law and Order, as a CODA in a segment with an all deaf group. Wann has also appeared in a 2008 Super Bowl commercial with one other deaf actor, making it the Super Bowls first commercial in ASL. You could also watch the performer in the movies How I Killed My Girlfriends Cat and Resonare. Though already extremely popular and successful, to say the least Keith Wann is quickly on his way to becoming a historical performer in the eyes of Deaf and hearing audiences!

Performing - Wann performs his hilarious acts all over the United States and it is not rare of him to have special guests such as other famous Deaf and CODA performers in his show. Some of these performers include; Gregg Spera, Branton Stewart, and Crom Saunders just to name a few. Wann is known for performing solo or as a show with a group of performers called The ASL Comedy Tour. The ASL Comedy Tour, a chance to giving other old or new ASL performers exposure, has been successful and has completed four tours. Wann also manages and produces the tour. At every tour stop Wann never fails to impress and has received nothing but pleased reviews. Wann’s fan base is also continually on a rise in numbers and has performed to an audience of 100,000 people. The comedian does about 30 comedy shows a year.

Radio Station: “That Keith Wann Show – Cultural Bridges” - Keith Wann’s Radio station is an online radio station that is accompanied with captions for the deaf supporters. Keith Wann alongside his co-host Wink, records their show every week on Wednesday nights from 8:00 to 9:00 pm EST. The show is first recorded and filmed live vocally from the hosts, along with live captioning. The hosts then create a version in ASL that is available the next day for viewing, in case Deaf people would rather enjoy the show that way. The show also streams from podcasts on iTunes if hearing people prefer enjoying through speakers. The radio station is a great source for anyone to learn more information on Deaf culture, community and ASL. Check out the radio station here: www.toginet.com

Child of a Deaf Adult (CODA)- A Child of a Deaf Adult or also known as a CODA is a child who has parents that are Deaf and use American Sign Language for communication. CODA’s seem to share connections with other CODA’s because of shared experience with having Deaf parents. Some shared experiences include having to interpret for their parents in comfortable situations such as at the grocery store or a restaurant. Another example of an experience that CODA’s may share is as kids staying up later than when they were told, possibly watching TV or being louder than normal, because their parents couldn’t hear them in the other room. Wann has also started a non-profit organization called coda365 Inc., that organizes different events for CODA’s and the deaf community. The organization also provides an amazing opportunity for CODA’s to meet other CODA’s. Visit www.coda365.org for more information.

Interpreting - Wann is a much sought after interpreter in the Deaf community and extremely skilled. He has been interpreting for more than 20 years with focuses on mental health and performing arts. Along with managing his ASL Comedy Tour, Wann also manages an interpreting agency through Video Remote Services and Community Interpreters.