Biographical information
Stephen;
Stephen accepted Christ at a young age, before his family left for the mission field of Singapore. His father, Dr. Stephen Burke, often stated that their mission work was a family ministry. He and his wife Bonnie kept the whole family involved, witnessing, serving and singing consistently. In fact Stephen's first acting role was as the resurrected Lazarus for hi
s mother's Sunday School lesson. His family was very supportive of his calling to Christian drama and when he was twelve years old Stephen and his sisters Stephanie and Elizabeth founded the Palm Tree Theatre. Together they produced 6 original Christian musicals, inviting area churches and unsaved friends. Stephen was blessed with the opportunity to improve his acting skills by playing several small roles for the Television Corporation of Singapore. He also landed roles in a WWII docudrama, and a special for the Discovery Channel. He went on to direct an Easter production and play the piano for Victory Baptist Church in Singapore. In 2000 Stephen attended Pensacola Christian College where he earned his B.A in Speech Communication, his M.A. During that time Stephen met and married his wife Alisha, and together they performed 10 different programs numerous times in churches across the East coast and in South East Asia. They have also organized and directed programs and productions for Pensacola Christian College for over seven years, including the Diamond Jubilee program honoring President and Mrs. Horton for 60 years of ministry. As an actor Stephen has played several principle roles in productions including Jim Elliot (A Consuming Fire), Prince Albert (Victoria Regina), Jonathan Goforth (The Day of the East Wind), Captain Corcoran (H.M.S. Pinnafore) and George Gibbs (Our Town). Stephen also understudied the baritone role of Belcore in the Opera The Elixir of Love. Stephen's directing credits include A Consuming Fire: the Story of Jim and Elisabeth Elliot, The Day of the East Wind (the story of Jonathan and Rosalind Goforth), The Miracle Worker, Our Town, and Anne of Green Gables. Stephen has also directed several musicals including The Pirates of Penzance, Ruddigore, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Mikado, and The Hiding Place. Stephen has written several plays, most notably A Consuming Fire, The Day of the East Wind and The Hiding Place: Life of Corrie Ten Boom, adapted from the book by John and Elizabeth Sherrill for which he wrote fourteen original songs. In 2011 Stephen was commissioned to write The Darkness Comprehended it Not which celebrated the birth of the King James Version of the Bible. The play was performed at the 400th anniversary of the KJV rally in Washington DC. Alisha:
Music filled Alisha's life from earliest childhood. Her mother, Brenda Wood Coggins was an accomplished pianist and singer who prepared Alisha to sing her first church solo at the age of four. Brenda lead Alisha to accept Christ as her Savior, and they shared their ministry of music for the next 22 years. A love for literature and poetry was nurtured in Alisha by her Mother and Grandmother during her childhood in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. There she stayed active performing in churches and Victory Christian School. Alisha attended Pensacola Christian College where she received her B.A. in Speech and Vocal performance, and her M.A. in Interpretive Speech. During her college career, Alisha was approached by a talent scout and asked to attend an audition in Nashville. However, her mother advised her that her voice belonged to God and should be given back to Him; singing for her own glory would be empty. It was then that Alisha made a conscious decision to surrender her talent to God. For several years, Alisha taught speech and music at PCC and used her gifts in drama and music to prepare and direct numerous recitals, programs, and productions on campus. As a singer Alisha studied with master voice teacher Ray Gibbs, and has performed memorable classical recitals in Pensacola as well as sacred music and recitals throughout the Southern States and in South East Asia. She recorded several solos for albums released by Rejoice Music and frequently appeared as a soloist on the Rejoice in the Lord Telecast broadcast nationally and around the world via internet. Her recordings have also been heard on Christian radio stations around the nation. She has sung numerous roles in musicals and operas including Gianetta (The Elixir of Love), Mad Margaret (Ruddigore), Ruth (The Pirates of Penzance), Katisha (The Mikado), Buttercup (H.M.S. Pinafore), and Grace Ferrell (Annie). She originated the role of Corrie Ten Boom in The Hiding Place: Life of Corrie Ten Boom. As an actress Alisha gained notoriety for her moving performances as Elisabeth Elliot (A Consuming Fire), Rosalind Goforth (The Day of the East Wind), Queen Victoria (Victoria Regina) and Emily Gibbs (Our Town). Alisha's desire for her future ministry is to continue to lift up the Lord as He gives her opportunities to perform. Praise for the Burke's performances
". . .The play you wrote about the Goforths was so inspiring! I've surrendered to full-time missions and after graduation will be going to China to serve God. . ." "The Gospel was clearly presented! . . . I only regret I didn't invite every unsaved person I know!"
--audience members
