In a previous post, I broke down what my work looks like as an Intimacy Coordinator in Miami. Now, let’s look at what my job as an Intimacy Director at a theatre entails. Or see the whole process for all roles over on this page.
Here is a look at how an Intimacy Director works!
Before Rehearsals Start
This is one that hardly ANYONE takes advantage of! Before we even start the rehearsal process, an Intimacy Director can collaborate on audition notices and procedures re: onstage intimacy, nudity riders, etc. That way, you know that you get people in your auditions and callbacks that are at least interested in having a conversation around the nudity, simulated sex, or other hyper-exposure in the show.
An Intimacy Director can provide a breakdown of all intimate moments in the script. This is also really important to a company, because we may see and flag things you haven’t! This can help with auditions and offer letters for actors who may have concerns about the story. It will also help us schedule our rehearsal time well!
An Intimacy Director will converse with the director about vision for the scene(s) as part of the overall story, and working methods. We are there to make the director’s job easier. Really!
An Intimacy Director will speak to each performer involved in the intimate scenes, to establish boundaries and working methods before rehearsals start.
An Intimacy Director will create/consult on any documents (Closed Set memos, nudity riders, etc.) that may be needed. Not every theatre chooses to use these, and they are way more common in film than theatre. However, I’ve found they can be really helpful setting actors’ minds at ease with regards to how nudity or simulated sex will be treated in rehearsal, and clarifying expectations.
Just like in film, an Intimacy Director is part of a creative team. We’ll collaborate with (wardrobe, dance choreographer, etc.) on how we can best support each other and the show.
During the Rehearsal Period
Anyone who works with me gets a discount “Company Culture” workshops on Power and Consent available through Momentum Stage. and/or a Day 1 “Intro to Intimacy Choreography” for the whole team. These workshops are so helpful on getting everyone the same information and expectations about our working environment, especially when it includes nudity and/or simulated sex.
An Intimacy Director will establish consent-based and trauma-informed practices in the rehearsal room for all members of the cast and crew. The crew are a really important part of our team, and they need to be able to consent to what they engage with at work.
An Intimacy Director will collaboratively choreograph, with the director (and/or fight and/or dance choreographers as well) and actors an intimate scene that fit the director’s vision, upholds performer boundaries, and tells a dynamic, exceptional story. Intimacy Directors are choreographers! Use our movement expertise to tell the clearest, most powerful story you can!
An Intimacy Director will create options to the scenes for understudies, and to always have an alternative for performer health. As we navigate living with COVID, this is so important!
I will Laban Motif all choreography for the prompt book and to offer as additional meaning-making tool for the performers. This is a great opportunity for documentation and reflection.
An Intimacy Director will support the performers’ and crew’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being during the rehearsal process, and give them tools to do the same during the run of the show.