Andy Burke graduated from Manchester Polytechnic with a degree in European politics. He subsequently completed a postgraduate course in Drama at the Welsh College of Music and Drama. In 1993, Burke formed the Black Arts Development Project to produce performance art that explores black cultural heritage. He produced and performed in that company's productions of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun (Green Room, 1994) and August Wilson's Fences (Dance House Theatre, 1997).