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    Martin Burke

    Writer
    Actor
    Improviser
    Filmmaker

Bio

Martin is an award-winning screenwriter and actor. He has written seven feature length screenplays, several short stories and comedy sketches, an original TV pilot and a TV spec script. His original screenplay “Even Adam” took second place in the Harold Crain screenwriting competition at San Jose State University (SJSU). His spec for “The Big Bang Theory” advanced to the second round of the Austin Film Festival. He has collaborated with his writing partner Ivo Raza on four film projects. The duo are currently in pre-production of a feature length road trip comedy (“Rhymes With Wolf”). Martin is currently featured in American Improv Theatre’s (AIT) sketch show “Life, Love and Death in the Metasphere”.


He has performed improv at BATS Improv in San Francisco, AIT, StageWerks and various other venues. He studied improv and acting at Second City in Chicago, First Take Acting School, Bay Area Acting School, BATS Improv, SJSU, and AIT. His writing education includes a certificate in Advanced Screenwriting from UCLA's Professional Program. He has studied at Stanford Continuing Studies, SJSU, Second City and taken various writing classes including Robert McKee’s Story, John Truby’s Structure, Steve Kaplan’s Comedy Intensive, and David Freeman’s Beyond Structure.

Acting Resumé

Height: 6'0"
Weight: 210 lbs.

NON-UNION
17 Hours In Bed Bartender (Supporting) Ivo Raza, Director
Dreams On A String Writer (Supporting) Jonathan White, Director Producer
Life, Love, and Death in the Metasphere Various (Lead) American Improv Theatre, San Jose, CA
Bookworms Improv Team Cast Member Played at various theaters in the Bay Area
Improviser with four years of training and two years of performance experience. Piano enthusiast, four years of lessons, plays at an intermediate to advanced level. Enjoys singing, especially in improvised scenes. Avid golfer, enjoys bike riding, downhill skiing, and working out. Raised in New England and part time in Wisconsin, can do several accents (Boston natively). Comedy sketch writing and performing. Extensive tech background (Unix Systems Administrator) and military experience (U.S. Navy 1983 - 1989). Taught improv to high school students for two semesters.
ACTING
Bay Area Acting Studio Acting for Non-actors, Acting for Fun, Meisner July - Dec 2015
First Take Acting School Core Acting Class Feb - June 2015
Stanford Continuing Ed “Shoot Me” Acting for the Camera w/Marty Pistone June - July 2009
San Jose State University Acting, Beginner - Advanced Sept 2006 - Dec 2007

IMPROV/COMEDY
American Improv Theatre Intro - Long Form Performance March - Aug 2015
BATS Improv Foundation - Performance & Advanced Studies Jan 2013 - Aug 2015
Second City, Chicago Improv Level 1 - 4, Summer intensives Aug 2012 - June 2014
San Francisco Comedy College Beginning Stand Up Jan 2013

WORKSHOPS
April Green Developing Characters & Co-Creation Classes Aug - Dec 2015
Diane Rachel Straight Man/Clown & Stage Combat and Intimacy Aug 2015
Amy Shank Acting For Improv @ American Improv Theatre July 2015
Tim Orr Advanced “Where’s” @ BATS Improv July 2015
Kasey Klemm Meisner For Improv @ BATS Improv Nov - Dec 2014
Susan Messing Group Pretty @ San Francisco Sketchfest Sept 2014
Armando Diaz Mastering the Armando @ San Francisco Sketchfest Sept 2014
Laura Hall Improv Karaoke @ San Francisco Improv Fest April 2014
Alan Arkin Crossing The Chasm @ San Francisco Improv Fest Feb 2104
Kevin MacDonald Improv & Sketch Writing @ San Francisco Sketchfest Jan 2014
Photos

American Improv Theatre Sketch Show

American Improv Theatre Sketch Show

American Improv Theatre Sketch Show

American Improv Theatre Sketch Show

Bookworms Improv Troupe

Bookworms Improv Troupe

Headshots

Headshots

Headshots