When a waiter threw a bucket of water in Pal Henrik’s face, relief—not anger—crashed over him. After all, he’d been in a sauna for the last hour making up stories.
“Last fall, I did a show at the Trondheim International Improv Festival. Our set was in a sauna—almost the size of a big lecture hall. I don’t really handle heat well, so I’m usually done with a sauna after about ten minutes. But we played for 20 minutes … times two,” said Pal Henrik Kristiansen, M.A. ’11.
In a 180-degree sauna, it’s a general recommendation to stay no longer than 15-20 minutes. The longer the stay, the larger the risk of dehydration. But that didn’t stop Kristiansen, or his fellow players. The goal was to get a laugh from the audience.
And they got many.
“We had to take every opportunity to find a way to use water in our scenes in a comedic way. So, when my partner who was pretending to be a waiter, threw an entire bucket of water in my face, I gulped as much down as I could! And I suppose that’s the new way of Norse wine tasting,” said Kristiansen.
A native of Sandefjord, Norway, Kristiansen traveled to the United States in 2009, to pursue a Master of Arts in the School of Communication. During his tenure, Kristiansen’s scholarly pursuits focused on both rhetoric and public relations.
“The classes I took were incredible. And I had no idea how useful they’d be in my current career. Everything from strategic communication and message strategy to building strong arguments and public speaking has been helpful to me in some capacity—whether on stage or in my office.”
In addition to improv acting, Kristiansen is also a senior communications advisor at the Norwegian meat and egg board in Oslo, Norway where he works on behalf of meat and egg-producing farmers.
“In this position, I do PR, writing, and project management,” he said. “One of the things I spend a lot of time on is food waste. I create campaigns and ensure our messaging is both accessible and understandable to help individuals reduce food waste at home. It’s both rewarding and fulfilling.”
Prior to serving in this capacity, Kristiansen spent eight years as a project manager and communications advisor for an organization with a mission focused on alcohol and substance abuse prevention. Kristiansen admits that without the School of Communication’s superior education, the work would have been increasingly difficult to do well.
“I worked diligently all day, every day, just doing my best to elevate our brand. I did everything from PR and content production to social media and podcast hosting,” said Kristiansen. “None of which would have been possible had it not been for my time in the School of Communication.”
But it’s not just the exceptional content he learned that makes Kristiansen’s time so memorable. It’s the faculty and friends he met along the way.
“I took most of my coursework with Dr. Phil Chidester and Dr. Joseph Zompetti,” he said. “I really enjoyed the way they taught their classes and how they were much smaller than what I experienced back home. Every class consisted of a circle of students discussing the assigned readings. It was intimate and enjoyable.”
It’s true. In the school’s communication master’s program, the average class size is no more than eight to 10 students. Each course guarantees an application of diverse theoretical frameworks and appropriate research methods best served for an advanced study of communication.
“The professors were so cool,” he said. “I know I knocked on Dr. Zompetti’s door more times than I could count when I was assigned to do a presentation on one of Spivak’s books. Let me tell you, it was not an easy read! In fact, it was probably the hardest book I ever read.”
“Pal was always up for a challenge. And he always had a smile on his face because he has a real zest for life. Honestly, he’s just a great guy to have around!” said Zompetti, School of Communication professor.
While the classes are challenging, they’re also quite rewarding. The School of Communication places a heavy emphasis on applying scholarly knowledge to evaluate and solve social problems. The school also promotes a passion for intellectual and theoretical discovery that transcends career objectives.
“I enjoy what I do professionally, but I cannot quite put into words what my love for the stage feels like,” said Kristiansen. “And I think it’s because improv resonates with my background in communication. It really trains you in both how to communicate your ideas clearly, as well as how to listen effectively. Good communication and understanding among team members are a must if you want to succeed in creating stories that make sense for the actors onstage and for the audience.”
Kristiansen is now an experienced improv artist, having played in multiple groups in the last four years. Currently, his pursuits involve musical improv.
“We create stories on the spot, but we also make up songs based on audience suggestions,” he said. “I wouldn’t say that I’m a great singer, but it’s about taking risks, sticking with an idea, supporting your partners, and creating songs together on stage. I really like the sense of togetherness in the improv community. It may look scary, but it really isn’t when you have people around you that are so supportive.”
In many ways, the Illinois State University campus community served in the same supportive capacity. While enrolled in graduate school, Kristiansen was the only international student in the cohort.
“When I moved from Norway to the United States, I didn’t know anyone,” he said. “But I felt very welcomed and included from the first day of training with all the other graduate teaching assistants. I immediately felt at home, and I cannot recommend the School of Communication enough because of it. I still keep in contact with many friends from ISU. Some have actually visited me in Norway!”
From an early age, Kristiansen knew he wanted to pursue a career in communication. Having watched his brother, Lars Kristiansen, M.A. ’08 complete the master’s program in the School of Communication, he knew there was no better place to apply.
“In Norway, we grew up with a lot of American movies, TV shows, and music,” he said. “And the way my brother described life over the pond, it really got me interested. Being able to move to the U.S. sounded like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. So, I applied. In fact, it’s the only place I applied!”
Professor in the School of Communication Dr. Phil Chidester recalls his experience meeting Pal for the first time because it’s one that he’ll never forget.
“He introduced himself with a story, noting that all Americans kept wanting to pronounce his name as if it was the word we use for a buddy or friend—‘I’m not your pal!’” he said.
But as many professors in the School of Communication can attest to, Pal did indeed become a pal.
“I love learning, traveling, meeting new people, and seeking out new experiences,” he said. “I found all of those things in the Bloomington-Normal community—and more. I still dream about the shepherd’s pie and the cold brews at Maggie Miley’s!”
The School of Communication’s graduate program offers a unique and highly customizable experience for each student. No matter the scholarly interest, there’s a home for everyone with a passion for learning. In 2013, the school was recognized by the National Communication Association with the Outstanding Master’s Program Award.
Thousands of students have crossed the stage and reflect fondly on their time spent in Fell Hall. It’s commonly remarked upon how fast graduate school flies by. Through the memories, friendships, and classroom experiences, it’s always a fleeting but fond period of time for many.
Much like the improv stage, “you will never see that scene again, which is a shame if it’s good, a relief if it’s bad,” said Kristiansen.
And just like a Norse wine tasting, success never felt so good.
