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.
When performers are confident and feel safe, they are able to focus on their work of telling the story in a way that will resonate with the 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.
What!?! (mind blown!)
I realized I wasn’t alone – that others recognized 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.
Hallelujah! This is progress.
I wanted to be part of that community 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 90 combined hours of training in Intimacy Choreography (with Intimacy Directors & Coordinators, and Theatrical Intimacy Education), and 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 approach to walking alongside actors and directors during those intimate moments. The more I learn the more I want to keep learning.
You know what is an absolute thrill for me? Seeing 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.