Why work with an Intimacy Choreographer?
An Intimacy Choreographer brings much more to your production than choreography for an intimate scene, or a boundaries exchange.
This creative and disciplined process supports the entire production to be sure that performers are confident and feel safe, freeing them to focus on their work of telling the story in a way that is fulfilling for both artist and audience. Beyond that, Intimacy Choreographers are trained movement specialists who have the knowledge to make scenes more dynamic, using the language of movement in powerful, creative ways.
Here are some examples of scenes that could be supported with an Intimacy Choreographer (that are not the obvious sex scenes!) :
· grieving siblings at a graveside
· childbirth
· scene involving simulated PTSD
· someone recalling an abusive relationship
· someone struggling with a form of self-harm
· a first kiss
· stylized or period-specific intimacy
So ... How did I come to Intimacy Choreography?
One day, while seeking to formalize my Brave Boundaries framework (an actor-centric approach to navigating intimate scenes), I found The Five Pillars of Consent and the practice of Intimacy Direction.
I realized I wasn’t alone – that others recognize how important it is to provide actors with space for individual agency while maintaining ultimate creativity. Having a name for this work felt validating and inspiring.
I wanted to be part of that community of culture-shapers and because I am a self-ascribed life-long learner, I wanted to gain more knowledge.
Since then, I’ve continued applying these skills, and also acquired over 200 combined hours of training in Intimacy Choreography with IDC (Intimacy Directors & Coordinators) and TIE (Theatrical Intimacy Education), plus others for supplemental training, including certifications in Mental Health First Aid for Adults, Mental Health First Aid for Youth, and Bystander Intervention. I continue to acquire and create additional tools to amplify my collaborative approach, creating alongside actors and directors during those intimate moments.
Additionally, as an Educator Advocate with TIE, I've been equipped to not only do the work, but help embed these practices into spaces. My most exciting workspace is Christian Youth Theater, the largest after-school performance arts education organization in the United States, and also the first youth organization of such reach (serving over 14,000 students per year) to recognize the importance of consent-based practices. Early introduction to these tools will shift the culture profoundly.
I've experienced the difference these practices can make on the level of trust, freedom of creativity, and overall health of the people involved in the productions. This work makes a difference. And I’m delighted to be part of it.