"Signing Santa" Mike Chapman has been a professional American Sign Language interpreter for 33 years. In high school and college, he was involved in Speech Team, Drama (including performing in multiple stage performances) and has been in both a mime troop and a clowning troop. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and has completed an Interpreter Training Program to become an ASL Interpreter. 

While still in college, he performed as a Santa once for extended family and thoroughly enjoyed it, secretly hoping to do it again in the future. He finally got the chance when, in 2019, he was asked to volunteer as Santa at a Signing Santa event at a local mall. He followed up that experience the same evening by volunteering as a Signing Santa at a local non-profit serving Deaf people for their annual Christmas Party. 

That same mall called him back in 2020 and Santa Mike became their full-time Santa. Since then, he has also done virtual visits for families and group events, as well as other Signing Santa visits. 

Mike has shared his knowledge working with Deaf people with other Santas at the Worldwide Santa Claus Summit and at the Northern Lights Santa Academy. He has also taught sign language classes at his church for many years. 

In his spare time, Santa Mike likes to perform cosplay as Santa-related characters, most recently appearing as "Obi-Claus Kenobi" at Raleigh's GalaxyCon Sci-Fi/Comic Convention and the Greenville NC Comic Con.

A native of Oregon, Santa Mike has lived in North Carolina for over 25 years with his wife Beth. Beth has also trained to become a Mrs. Claus and joined Santa Mike at the mall for an Opening Day event, including Fire Truck Grand Entrance with storytelling and photos with the children. Santa Mike and Beth have 2 children in their 20s, and they will mark their 33rd wedding anniversary in Fall 2023.