CHUCK BURKS
We are not short on CREATIVITY!
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Montclair State University Students
Take the only Stand Up Comedy Class
Fall 2024
Reach out to Professor Burks burksc@montclair.edu to gain permission to take the class!
Professor Chuck Burks Credits:
Comedy Central Dave Chappelle Show
HBO's Chris Rock Show
Apollo Comedy Show Dec 5, 2024
NBC Diversity Showcase
New 2024 Director Credit!
WORK WITH THE GREATS
I have been blessed to meet and work on projects with some great artists.
I became an actor because of August Wilson's play Fences on Broadway starring James Earl Jones and a stellar cast including Courtney B Vance. I was blessed to meet him and work on a project for the Met Opera in Lincoln Center.
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DIRECTOR CREDIT
I was blessed to have a collaboration between the BMCC Theatre Program and the creators of Animal Farm: The Musical come to life in the first developmental production.
BOOKED
AND
BLESSED
I was blessed to appear in season 2 on HBO Max Episode 1
BIO
Charles Anthony Burks
A.K.A.
Chuck Burks
Award-winning Actor/Writer/Director/Comedian/Professor Chuck received his MFA in Acting from Columbia University and his undergraduate degree a BA in Theatre and Mathematics from The University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va.
As an actor, he has performed in The Bomb-itty of Errors on The West End of London (Ambassador’s Theatre) as well as Edinburgh Theatre Festival (Best Ensemble Acting Award). Off-Broadway Chuck has performed in Othello Remix and The Bomb-itty of Errors. Television Credits include: That Damn Michael Che (HBO Max), Chris Rock Show (HBO), Sopranos (HBO), Hack (CBS), Home Court (Nick-At-Night) Celebrity Deathmatch (MTV) and Top 9 Jens (VH1). Films include: Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (Columbia Pictures), A Place Beyond The Pines, Theresa Is A Mother (Cannes Film Festival), Balk (BAM Film Festival) and For Love of The Game (Sam Raime, Dir.) His voice over work has been featured in numerous television and radio commercials (Verizon Wireless, Coca Cola and Liberty Mutual). He is most proud of providing narration for more than 5 PBS Documentaries (Emmy Winning Directors Stacey Holman, Stanley Nelson and Producer Dr. Henry Luis Gates, Jr.).
As a writer, he has written for The Dave Chappelle Show (Season 1), Rockefeller and NEA Grant Recipient for Lyrics and Composing a Theatreworks USA Hip-Hop Musical, OMG a Cyberbullying Story with Emmy Award Winning Singer/Composer Christopher Jackson.
Charles is a tenure -track faculty Associate Professor
and Theatre Program Coordinator for the Borough of Manhattan Community College where he teaches various Acting level courses and Public Speaking. He is also the creator and Artistic Director of Enigma Acting Conservatory (est. 2010) that trains and coaches actors from ages 9- Professional Adults. Some of Charles’ students have appeared in films with Bruce Willis, Tracey Morgan and Spike Lee. He currently resides in New Jersey with his wife and children.
May 27, 2022 in New York City
DIRECTING HUMPTY'S HATCHING DAY FOR THEATRE NOW
Everyone knows how Humpty Dumpty’s story ended, but why did he climb the wall in the first place? Spend 10 minutes with Humpty, his best friend Jack Sprat, and a few of Humpty’s other friends on the most important day of his life. Book and Lyrics by Kenny Harmon Music by Steve Wallace Animations by Reginald William Butler Featuring performances by Chester Gregory, Esjae, Angela S. Arnold (Asa), Charles Burks, and Kaylin Lee Clinton Originally presented as part of Theatre Now's SOUND BITES Streaming Live.
PROFESSIONAL WRITING AND DIRECTING
Collaboration is where I thrive and love to reside!
TO CATCH A FOX
A Hip Hop Adaptation of Shakespeare's The Taming of The Shrew
This project I wrote and directed has been a combination of my many loves. I got to take classical text and adapt it to contemporary times using hip hop story-telling rap while utilizing Comedia 'del Arte! This musical is available to be produced.
Here is a link to a performance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5uZ2-2eupU&t=3894s
THE GOLDEN TALES OF HIP HOP
A Hip Hop and R & B musical!
A group of classic characters from various children's tales are living their best life in the Hip Hop forest, but must come together to protect it from the evil Rap City Dragon.
This musical is also available to be produced. Email: chuckaburks@gmail.com for more info.
PROFESSIONAL WRITING AND DIRECTING
Collaboration is where I thrive and love to reside!
RACE IN AMERICA. PART 1 EPISODES 1-6
A window to look through into a mirror that reflects our view of Race in America.
This project was a true collaborative effort with a collective group of BIPOC: Artists, City College New York Students and Staff. Completed virtually and shown on line at the height of the pandemic. The work included, original music, step choreography, race related plays, sketches, and an animated choreopoem about women, gender and race.
Here is a link to the choreopoem called SOLVE IT AGAIN.
OMG A CYBERBULLYING PLAY
The only power a bully has is your silence!
OMG is a play with music addressing the issue of cyber bullying. The play was written and directed by Charles Anthony Burks, M.F.A., Artistic Director of Enigma Acting Conservatory with original music by Christopher Jackson, Emmy award winning singer-songwriter and co-music supervisor for Sesame Street. The story centers around Crystal, a creative middle school girl, who creates her first Facepage which introduces her to the cyber world. Throughout the play we see her digital world “come to life”. Actors in the play portray her friends and the digital world (her WALL, ENTER and SEND).
Eventually her account is hacked and her new found fame suddenly turns against her. Crystal has a tough time dealing with the residual effects of being cyber bullied. The music in the play showcases her creative side and depicts the good and bad of the cyber world.
The lesson that OMG teaches is: "The only power a bully has is your silence!" With so many news stories depicting the devastating affects of cyber bullying on our youth, even law makers are beginning to take notice. This play helps begin a discussion with young people and emphasizes the importance of speaking up and out against bullying. With this play, our goal is to spread awareness and hope!
It was first produced at the North Carolina Black Repertory Theatre Company in Winston Salem, NC.
HOST * COMEDIAN * ACTOR
WRITER * MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
Comedy allows me to encourage, enlighten and
Uplift Everyone!
In 2013 he won over the audience and judges at the McDonald’s Gospel Fest and walked away as Best Gospel Comedian. While that was an awesome experience, Chuck has been grabbing audiences by their funny bones for years using his gift to encourage, enlighten and uplift.
This funny guy has stepped on comedy club stages all across the world, opened up for mainstream comedians like Rickey Smiley, written for nationally acclaimed comedy sketch television shows, been seen in major motion pictures, national commercial ads, cable network shows, and performed on stages from New York to London to Bangladesh. Burks is a classically trained actor having recieved his M.F.A. in Acting from Columbia University. He currently uses his training not only to act professionally but also to write, produce and direct stage plays like OMG! A Stage Play for school age children addressing cyber bullying.
Even though all of these experiences and opportunities have been amazing, he believes his most important tasks are honoring God and his role as a husband and father.
DEMO REEL
Intro Acting Class August 2024
Quarantine Closet Budlight Super Bowl Commercial
IMG_6561
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ENIGMA ACTING CONSERVATORY
We are not short on CREATIVITY!
Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprise Certified
Offering:
Arts Curriculum Development
Professional Development Workshops
Social and Emotional Student Workshops
Conflict Resolution Workshops
Performing Arts Workshops
After School Programing
Theatre Games Workshops
Play Development
Performances and Group Facilitation
PROFESSOR BURKS
A gifted educator.
Charles Anthony Burks is a professional entertainer with extensive experience in educational settings. Accomplished director and producer of both student and professional Theater and Film productions. Produced writer in the mediums of: film, television and theater in the United States and abroad. Trained actors in techniques ranging from Greek and Shakespearian classics to contemporary works with heavy focus on how to be self-sufficient in the field of entertainment.
