Dr. Christopher Berchild is an associate professor in the Department of Theater where he teaches Theater History and Theory, Play Analysis, Directing, Dramaturgy, and Media Design and serves as head of the undergraduate dramaturgy concentration.  Chris received his BA in Theatre from Claremont McKenna College (Pomona College Department of Theatre and Dance), his MA in Irish Studies (emphasis in Irish drama) from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, and his PhD in Drama and Theatre from the University of California San Diego.  Chris has worked in theatre for a number of years as a director, a stage manager, a designer, a theatre educator, and in many other areas.  He has served as Artistic Director for the Claremont School of Theatre Arts at Pomona College in California for four years, edited and serves on the Advisory Board for TheatreForum International Theatre Journal, has worked for DeafWest Theatre for the Deaf in Los Angeles, and is the general editor for Peter Lang’s Irish Studies series.  Chris has published extensively on Irish drama and theatre as well as on contemporary performance.  His other writings can be found in TheatreForum International Theatre Journal. 

Berchild is also the director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Media Technology in the Arts (ICMTA), which is housed in the ISU Department of Theater.  Berchild has served as interim artistic director, associate artistic director, literary manager, and dramaturg for Crossroads Repertory Theatre where he runs the New Play Reading series, and has directed Much Ado About Nothing (2009), Macbeth (2008), You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (2006), and The Spitfire Grill (2005).  He is currently working on a book project on the dramaturgical function of new media design for the contemporary director.