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Swedish-born actor, singer, dancer, and educator, Kullberg-Bendz has spent decades honing her craft across continents, from the storied stages of Gothenburg to the indie film sets of New York. Now, as a key collaborator with Nordic Artists of New York (NANY), she channels her passion for Scandinavian heritage into building a vibrant future for Nordic and Baltic artists in the city she calls home.
From ABBA to Broadway: A Nordic Star’s Journey
Kullberg-Bendz’s career reads like a love letter to Nordic artistic excellence. As a member of the original Swedish cast of the musicals Mamma Mia! and Chess, she worked alongside ABBA icons Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, lending her voice to cast albums that remain cultural touchstones. Her performances at the Gothenburg Opera and in Gun Lund’s avant-garde dance company E=mc² Danskonst solidified her reputation as a versatile force in Sweden’s arts scene. Yet, it was her fearless embrace of reinvention that brought her to New York, where she seamlessly transitioned into off-Broadway theater, film (including Paul Schrader’s Oscar-nominated First Reformed), and even HBO’s Succession as a voice artist.
A Cultural Ambassador in Action
In New York, Kullberg-Bendz has become a linchpin of the Scandinavian arts community. As a core member of the Scandinavian American Theater Company (SATC), she has performed in and curated productions that bridge Nordic storytelling with American audiences. Her annual holiday concert at the New York Scandinavia House—a blend of traditional carols and modern flair—has become a beloved institution, while her work as a Swedish language teacher at NYU and the United Nations International School underscores her commitment to preserving linguistic heritage.
“Art isn’t just about performance—it’s about connection,” says Kullberg-Bendz. “Whether I’m translating Alfred Nobel’s handwritten notes or choreographing a modern dance piece, I’m driven by the desire to make Nordic culture accessible, alive, and relevant.”
Uniting Art and Purpose with NANY
It’s this ethos that drew her to Nordic Artists of New York. As a founding production team member, Kullberg-Bendz leverages her extensive network and creative vision to shape NANY’s flagship Earth Day event, True North 2025. The showcase, which merges music, dance, and visual art with environmental advocacy, resonates deeply with her belief in art as a catalyst for change. “NANY isn’t just a platform—it’s a movement,” she explains. “By uniting Nordic and Baltic artists around shared values like sustainability, we’re not only elevating our cultural voices but also inspiring action.”
Her multifaceted role in NANY reflects her career’s throughline: collaboration. From mentoring emerging Scandinavian actors to coordinating with SATC on the upcoming Nordic Stage Festival 3, Kullberg-Bendz embodies NANY’s mission to “unite, elevate, and inspire.”
Looking Ahead: True North and Beyond
As April 22, 2025, approaches, Kullberg-Bendz is immersed in curating performances for True North that reflect Nordic-Baltic diversity and environmental consciousness. “Imagine Strindberg’s dreamscapes reinterpreted through climate-aware dance, or folk melodies intertwined with New York’s urban heartbeat,” she muses. “That’s the magic we’re creating—art that honors tradition while speaking urgently to today.”
Beyond the stage, she envisions NANY as a beacon for new immigrants: “When I first arrived here, I longed for a community that understood my roots. Now, we’re building that home for others.”
Join Ingrid Kullberg-Bendz and Nordic Artists of New York at True North 2025 on Earth Day, April 22, 2025, at the New York Estonian House. Explore her work and NANY’s mission at www.nordicartistsofnewyork.com.
