Intimacy Choreography
Intimacy work is one of the most important and under-utilized production elements in the industry today. While there has been a seismic shift in our practices over the last several years, normalizing this work is taking time. There are lots of great ways to learn about trauma-informed, consent-based work, but my training is primarily through Theatrical Intimacy Education and Open Intimacy Creatives.
My journey started at Creighton University with my students in class and on the mainstage and has branched out into supporting local theatre companies in productions of Cabaret and Waitress directed by Alex Rodriguez, and Angels in America pt. I directed by Allison Price with Omaha Community Playhouse, Lizzie the Musical directed by Daena Schweiger and the world premiere of Stuck with Lemons directed by Dr. Amy Lane at Shelterbelt Theatre. Upcoming I have the pleasure of moving into intimacy coordination on the short indie film HVAC written and directed by Jackson McKeehan which goes into production summer of 2025.
Intimacy choreography is a foundational tool not only supporting scenes that require simulated intimate pairings, consensual or not, but also in building in collaborative language and tools for any partnering and touch that works within an actor’s boundaries. An IC does not need to know what an actor’s background is in order to respect their boundaries - and within these limitations we have boundless creativity to explore dynamic storytelling to serve the world of the play.
Starting in March of 2025 I’m joining a cohort of intimacy professionals for a six-week remote training through Open Intimacy Creatives lead by industry professional Chelsea Pace intended to navigate on-set work for coordinators, and I have the privilege of representing Creighton University at Theatrical Intimacy Education’s Educator Advocate Program intensive this summer in Spartanburg, SC hosted at the University of South Carolina Upstate.