Chasten Buttigieg was born and raised in Traverse City, Michigan. He received his bachelor’s degree in theater and global studies from the University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire and his master’s in education from DePaul University. He has worked as a busboy, dog walker, nursing assistant, waiter, cashier, bartender, and most recently a middle school drama and humanities teacher. He lives in South Bend, Indiana, with his husband, Peter, and their two rescue dogs.