TW: How did you start acting?
CB: Actually, let me keep the story short. Seriously, when I first started I was about 22 or 23 years old, really. I did a TV pilot called Desperate, but it didn’t get picked up as a series, a regular show. And then from there, Then I went on my own to do the Life Goes On series, which went very well.
TW: Did you take acting lessons?
CB: I really did, but not professionally, I did some workshops with other actors with disabilities. But it didn’t work out for me really.
TW: Did you use a job coach?
CB: You mean a dialect coach? Yes, It helped me a lot, which is really great, and really taught me so much. When I first started to do the pilot – the women I worked with is Star Groman and then from there it was Kailey Goldberg. When she got married to her future husband, Chad Hummel, and her name is Kailey Goldberg Hummel. She’s really nice. It really helped me a lot, it was really great because it is cause of her I was there.
TW: So they pretty much help you remember your lines and stuff like that?
CB: I didn’t have any trouble, it was more understanding the character.
TW: Right, you were good at memorizing the lines?
CB: Well, I am not as good as Elvis Presley can. But, what I am saying, very seriously, because as an actor, you have to understand the thoughts behind the line.
TW: So you can show some emotion…
CB: Yes, exactly
TW: Do you have a favorite episode of Life Goes On?
CB: I like all of them, very hard to say. But, I love the early years of those episodes. It went really well for me. One of my favorite is the title of the actor that had Down Syndrome, David McFarlane. He was in an episode titled Arthur. Its about a young man in his 40s that has Down Syndrome. And his mom actually didn’t want to send, because Corky is real experienced and went to school. And Arthur really did not cope with that, you know, and then he was told to be placed in a group home. He has obstacles in life, it’s a great picture of an ordinary episode.
TW: What has been the most difficult situation you have had to deal with at work?
CB: That’s a good question (laughs) – that’s a personal question. It’s just that uh…nothing really you know but obviously it was very difficult. But I didn’t find it very difficult cause you know what it’s like. I’m not an actor with a disability; I am an actor with ability. That’s my message
TW: Did you have to deal with discrimination when you were acting?
CB: Actually I did, I did face obstacles, but I never took my eyes off goal to make my dreams come true to be an actor, really.
TW: Do you see things getting better or worse (or staying the same) for actors with disabilities?
CB: Well actually, now I would say its moving so slow. I would like to say that they should bring back some family tv shows. Seriously. So I will be able to watch them. But now I watch them on dvd so its good.
TW: What did you think of the movie, ‘The Ringer”
CB: Yes I did, actually I liked it very much. It was a very good movie because they did hire actors with disabilities to be in the movie. Which is really great because it shows a message that this guy, that what he did wrong, he didn’t give up on his people. He became good friends with them
TW: I used to have an internship at Special Olympics
CB: O really, I used to participate in Special Olympics.
TW: What sports did you play?
CB: Different events, very seriously. Meter dash, basketball, jump, softball throw, and etc.
TW: Who is you favorite actor?
CB: Tom Hanks and Philip Costner – he played Frank Sinatra on the mini series called Sinatra the mini-series. I have the DVD now so its good.
TW: So, now you are in a band that is touring the country.
CB: It’s called Chris Burke with Joe and John Demassey – We are a singer with a band. We have a positive message about ability to focus on our disabilities. We do songs of inclusion, we have very interactive songs that we perform which is really great. We also try to look on a positive outlook of ourselves. You know? We also do songs of inspiration so we can inspire people. Which is really great
TW: Have you been able to see a lot of the cool places because of this?
CB: I can’t wait.
TW: Have you toured a lot?
CB: Yes I have. You know what, please go onto our website which is chrisburke.org
TW: Do you know of any other bands that have members with an intellectual disability?
CB: Actually, that’s a good question. Some of them yes, seriously. One of them, they’re from Boston, Massachusetts and it’s called Potentials Unlimited. They are two friends of mine who are in the area. They have a group that focus on disabilities. Two friends of mine, one is James and his wife, Cindy Stride.
TW: I am living in Los Angeles, and there is a band here called The Kids of Widney High. They all have intellectual disabilities. They were in the movie The Ringer at the end.
CB: O Ok
TW: So I went to visit their school before and they are a good band too
CB: O really
TW: You should check them out, they have a website.
CB: Actually, wait a minute, what is the name of that band
TW: It’s called the kids of Widney High.
CB: O o ok, ok. I guess you might have heard of them, The High Hopes.
TW: No I haven’t heard of them
CB: They are from California, I think they are from LA.
TW: O cool, I will have to look them up too.
CB: They’re great. (laughs)
TW: So do you have any future plans for acting?
CB: Who knows what’s going to happen. You know. But I am still working at the National Down Syndrome Society and I still have my singing group which is really good with John and Joe Demassey. I am really enjoying it very much
TW: If you could make one change in the world, what would it be?
CB: Oh that’s a good question. (laughs) I would have to say…uh, to do behind the scenes work in show business and come up with ideas for the other writers and producers to help with the National Down Syndrome society so they can get actresses that can give birth to babies with Down Syndrome. And also other projects with the writers and other producers, but who knows.
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