"Make it less weird!"
~Chelsea Pace & Laura Rikard, Theatrical Intimacy Education
When asking, what is intimacy choreography? Of course, the first thing that might come to mind is staged sex and specific examples of scenes from the theatre repertoire. However, it is important to note that intimacy exists in numerous other realms. Examples include physical and emotional romantic and/or sexual intimacy, scenes involving nudity, platonic intimacy such as familial relationships or friendships, offering tools to create consensual practice, and helping actors gain autonomy in personal boundaries.
As Intimacy Directors and Coordinators state in their mission, an important aspect is “to equip every institution with the tools and resources needed to create a culture of consent, in which intimate stories can be told with safety and artistry.”
As Chelsea Pace often remarks in training sessions with Theatrical Intimacy Education, “we don’t just tell actors to punch each other. So why should we expect the same for moments of intimacy?”
The first time I heard this remark, I agreed. Why do we have moments of specialization for violence but often overlook other moments of heightened emotions because it’s always been done a certain way? Approaching this thinking made me want to learn more about intimacy and led me to be an advocate for Intimacy Choreographers in the rehearsal space. Intimacy choreography while becoming more popular in the theatre and film realms over the past ten years. However, it is essential to note that practice has been happening in some form or another long past the current scope. Often such work has been obscured and marginalized due to artists of color, women, disabled individuals, and queer, trans, and non-binary artists being at the forefront of such approaches.
Establishing a consent-based, trauma-informed rehearsal space is at the forefront of my practice as an Intimacy Choreographer. This approach influences my creative work as a director, dramaturge, and choreographer and my pedagogy as an educator. I also base much of my choreographic practice in dramaturgy and context. Continually working with the director to consider the question: what story are we trying to tell?
Additionally, I specialize in telling stories of queer intimacy.
It's important to realize that every intimacy choreographer will have their approach to the work. Choreography is not a one-size-fits-all all approach. It is also important to note that there is no official certification for Intimacy Choreography, and therefore, each theatre must do their due diligence to discuss and vet the qualifications of a potential collaborator. That being said, working with an intimacy professional could look like:
A pre-production meeting with the director to discuss the show's needs and how I might benefit the production. My practice involves reading the script before this meeting so that I can ask questions of the director, including clarifying what we are thinking of as intimate moments, where we see those moments beginning, and an overall approach to the show.
Helping the director craft audition forms and materials representing a consent-based practice that offers actors as much information as possible before auditioning.
Working with the director and production team to understand the basis of a consent-based practice and laying the groundwork to support the practice throughout production.
Meeting and working with the cast to understand the role of the intimacy choreography. This work includes setting up how to check in with boundary practice and giving actors common vocabulary and techniques to check in throughout the run of the production.
Collaborating with the director and actors to create repeatable choreography centered in context and storytelling.
Imparting the importance of documenting choreography to the stage manager and providing them the language to make such notes. Additionally, I provide insight to the stage manager on approaching intimate moments throughout rehearsal and how to notate those moments for blocking.
By Bryna Turner
Director, Amanda Klair Soukup
Cottey College
Spring 2025
📸: Tim Bradshaw
By Stephen Sondheim & Hugh Wheeler
Director, Laura D. Chaney
Cottey College
November 2024
📸: cody allyn page
By Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II
Director, Steffan Bomberger
Lancaster Country Day School
Spring 2024
📸: Josh Carrigan
By Don Zoldis
Director, Steffan Bomberger
Lancaster Country Day School
Fall 2023
📸: Josh Carrigan
By Tina Fey
Director, Michael Popovsky
Popovsky Performing Arts Studio
August 2023
📸: Christyn Rutter
By Bridget Carpenter
Director, Steffan Bomberger
Lancaster Country Day School
Spring 2023
📸: Josh Carrigan
By Matt Cox
Director, Steffan Bomberger
Lancaster Country Day School
Fall 2022
📸: Josh Carrigan