"Intimacy Direction is the codified practice of choreographing moments of staged intimacy in order to create safe, repeatable, and effective storytelling.
The Intimacy Director is more than a choreographer; they are an advocate for the ensemble and for each actor. The Intimacy Director takes responsibility for the emotional safety of the actors and anyone else in the rehearsal hall while they are present." ~ Intimacy Directors International
WHAT IS Intimacy Direction?
SAFE SUSTAINABLE STORY DRIVEN
Samantha's journey with intimacy direction grew out of her work as a fight director. The theatrical cannon offers many stories where physical conflict has intimate or sexual aspects. Since the emergence of this specialty as a professional field in 2016, Samantha has been pursuing her education and artistic development.
Her choreography has been seen on stages of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Opera Colorado, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, Theatreworks, Denver Children's Theatre, Arvada Center, Athena Project Festival, University of Denver, University of Northern Colorado, and numerous educational institutions in Colorado. Her work advocating to bring this conversation to the Colorado theatre community has seen her teaching education events and producing workshops with internationally renowned instructors. She was recently featured in a Denver Post article.
She is a certified Intimacy Director with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators. She was an Apprentice with Intimacy Directors International and has attended several workshops including their 9 Day Choreographers Intensive. She has also trained with Theatrical Intimacy Education.
In 2019, she served as a resident artist at Arena Stage leading a series of Intimacy for the Stage workshops.
Services
INTIMACY DIRECTION/CHOREOGRAPHY
An intimacy director works as a collaborative member of the artistic team of a theatrical production developing the choreography of moments of intimacy be it character chemistry or physical interactions from holding hands to hugging, kissing to simulated sex on stage.
EDUCATION
Samantha is available to teach Consent and Introduction workshops. She is also dedicated to producing educational events with experienced instructors.
CONSULTING
Work as an intimacy consultant can range from leading a workshop with a cast of a production, offering perspectives on existing choreography, serving as a third party resource and advocate in the space, to helping an organization develop protocols.
It does not include work in which choreography is developed.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Additional Organizations
Intimacy Directors & Coordinators
National Alliance of Intimacy Professionals
Tools of the Trade
Modesty Garments
The Modesty Shop