معرفی
Chris L Berchild is Chair and Professor of Theater in the College of Arts & Sciences at Indiana State University. He holds a Ph.D. in Theatre and Drama from the University of California San Diego and has built a distinguished career in Irish drama, Shakespearean scenography, and digital projection design. His interdisciplinary scholarship bridges performance, cultural studies, and technology.
- Ph.D., Theatre and Drama, University of California San Diego, 2003
- M.A., Irish Studies, The Catholic University of America, 1998
- B.A., Theatre, Claremont McKenna College, 1995
His research focuses on contemporary Irish drama, urban representation in performance, and the integration of digital media in theatre. He explores how space, memory, and cultural identity are constructed on stage, particularly in Irish and Shakespearean contexts. His work emphasizes theatrical adaptation, interdisciplinary performance, and the semiotics of visual design.
The majority of his recent publications and presentations analyze Shakespearean digital scenography, Czech and Japanese appropriations of Shakespeare, and the dramaturgy of Irish cultural identity. Themes of urban haunting, projection design, and transnational theatrical exchange recur across his work, reflecting a deep engagement with both historical and technological dimensions of performance.
- Fulbright Scholar (2011)
- Excellence in Global Education Award, Indiana State University (2015)
- Promising Scholar Grant, Lilly Foundation (2005)
- Authors & Artists Recognition (2018, 2019)
Berchild has served as principal investigator on multiple grants, including international travel and research funding from the Center for Global Engagement and the American Conference for Irish Studies. He mentors emerging scholars and artists through creative projects and curriculum development. His leadership roles include department chair and service on university-wide committees related to arts funding, graduate fellowships, and academic policy.
He is actively involved in interdisciplinary performance initiatives and has led faculty-led global education programs. His creative work in projection design has been featured in university and community events, and he regularly presents at international conferences on performance and visual culture.
