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E-mail: dburke@uu.edu
Phone: 731-661-5287

The students in one of David Burke's classes sit mesmerized as they watch him morph into a maniac to make a point. He does it from time to time, sometimes to illustrate material in the text, sometimes just to make the story better. It's just one of the ways his years of experience in the theater provide both entertainment and knowledge for students.

Burke is known as Union's resident theater guru, because he has either directed or been involved with a vast number of theater productions in the more than 20 years he's been at Union.

"I love teaching," he said. "My favorite time is the eureka moment when something clicks and a student really gets it."

His methods work. Union's theater alumni work in schools, on television and in theater. Students learn quickly that, though Burke's knowledge of theater is great, his love for theater is even greater. Between auditions, rehearsals and set design for the four major theater productions throughout the year, Burke and his students spend a great deal of time in Union’s W.D. Powell Theater.

Burke's interest in theater dates back to the fourth grade, when he played a minor part in a school production. That interest firmed into an ambition in high school, when he played Huck Finn opposite his brother's lead role in Tom Sawyer.

"That did it for me," he said. "From then on, I knew theater was it."

Burke received his bachelor’s degree from HBU, where he majored in theater and Bible. He went on to earn a master of fine arts degree from the University of Houston.

But teaching is not the only thing Burke enjoys. He and his wife have three sons and two daughters, and he coached them in baseball and softball. He also has coached other children in baseball, from tee-ball and up, for the past 15 years.

In addition, Burke stays active in community theater in Jackson and is currently working on an animated movie project, where he is one of the lead voices in the preliminary track.

For Union theater students, that variety of experience is a real advantage, and Burke loves passing on what he knows.

"It’s exciting when I know a student really understands what they are doing and can be let go to explore further on their own," he said.

All you have to do is watch any of the productions at Union to see what he's talking about.

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