Chad Eric Bergman

Dr. Chad Eric Bergman is a Professor of Theatre and Interim Co-Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at North Park University. He founded Akvavit Theatre, Chicago’s first Nordic-focused theatre company, and integrates professional practice into academia by developing a curriculum around the Chicago storefront theatre model.

Education:

• PhD in Theatre History and Criticism, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• BA, Wheaton College

Bergman’s research centers on Nordic and bilingual theatre, translation of Nordic plays, and the intersection of ritual and sincerity in performance. He has explored these themes through productions like Allsång på Skansen and collaborations with Chicago institutions such as MPAACT and the Ragdale Foundation.

Scientific Awards:

• Zenos Hawkinson Award for Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership (2010)
• Fulbright award for research on bilingual theatre

Bergman’s publications analyze Nordic performance spaces and innovative theatre pedagogy. His work bridges academic theory with practice, emphasizing Chicago’s storefront theatre as a transformative educational tool. Grants from the Riksbankens Jubileumsfond supported his translation and production of Nordic plays in the U.S.

As cofounder of Akvavit Theatre, he has directed and designed productions like Nothing of Me and Kokkola, while teaching courses such as Acting, which students describe as life-changing. His film Retrieval (2005) reflects his creative engagement with narrative and performance.