INVISIBLE HANDS

Fred Michael Beam, IHI founder

Fred Michael Beam, professional actor, dancer, choreographer, director, producer and director who currently live in Washington DC for numerous years, he has provided artistic direction and outlet for Deaf artists of all colors, ages and professional backgrounds by recruiting artists and performers and establishing partnerships with various performing arts, visual arts and media companies.

Fred founded the award-winning, non-profit organization known as Invisible Hands, Inc., which promotes Deaf culture awareness through art and entertainment, (www.invisiblehands.com). In addition to performing with many dance companies and theaters, including Arena Stage, Jewish Community Center, Goodman Theater, Kennedy Center, Imagination Stage, DuPont Alley Dance Company, two of Fred’s dance companies, The Wild Zappers and the National Deaf Dance Theater, have toured across the United Sates, as well as several countries including Japan, Australia, Finland, and France. Not only has Fred worked within the Deaf community, he has also worked with highly acclaimed professional theater groups including Open Circle, Imagination Stage, Quest For Arts, Inc. and Liz Lerman Dance Co. Fred has taught and choreographed dance for many Deaf and hearing children within the Metro Washington, DC area. He has worked with the Model Secondary School for the Deaf, Kendall Demonstration Elementary School as well as Gallaudet University. Fred developed and leads two different educational theater programs in over 300 schools within the metro Washington, DC area. The program, “Sign Me A Story,” is targeted to elementary school children allowing them to learn about American Sign Language and Deaf culture through interactive theater activities. The other program, “Let’s Sign and Dance,” is a family oriented program that include lessons on how Deaf people perform, dance and sign songs. He also established Theater Arts Leadership Training for Deaf People of Color at Gallaudet University. Fred established the Black Deaf Expo and hosted it since 2003, providing the Deaf Black community the opportunity to stand proud, displaying their culture. Fred serves on the boards of DC Area Black Deaf Advocate, Quest for Arts, Inc., and is a member of the National Association of the Deaf. He was President of National Black Deaf Advocates, One of Essence Real Men of the Year, Deaf Person of The Month, just to name a few.