At This Stage: On Saturday, September 21, 2019 from 11 am to 1 pm at the Los Angeles Theatre Center, LA STAGE Alliance hosted an Intimacy Direction Panel. Moderated by LA STAGE Alliance Programs Manager, Michaela Bulkley, with panelists Allison Bibicoff, Rachel Flesher, and Ann James (click here to read more about them!), we discussed the positive impact an Intimacy Director can have on a production and the rehearsal process.
3 comments:
Intimacy direction is one of the most important developing positions in our industry in my opinion. This article touches on a lot of different points on why the production process benefits from having a person to interrupt the power structures within the rehearsal room. Having, as the article says, a "non-hiring, non-firing body" in the room buffers the relationship between directors, choreographers, and others that hold power over the direction of piece and those executing that vision. I am very interested to see this position take hold and what it becomes over the next few years as people figure out where this person functions on a rehearsal staff. I also really like the point the article makes about "admitting we need change means admitting there is a problem", which I think a lot of people struggle with a lot in theatre, particularly those in positions of privilege (including myself). But I also think that recognizing these general issues (and specific instances) will help shape the solution that intimacy in theatre needs. I hope to see this develop more and to learn more from those leading the path forward.
To be completely honest it shocks me that intimacy directors are in their early days as a theatrical position. If someone had asked me how intimate scenes are directed I would have immediately assumed that an intimacy director would be part of it. The idea of not having that person looking out for the actors' comfort during scenes that, when done wrong, can alter a person's sense of safety on the job is scary and unwelcome. As expressed in an article I read last week, trauma lived through on stage often feels real to those experiencing them and can even leave lasting impressions on their person both mentally and physically. The possible repercussions of a scene that goes past where one or more of the active participants is comfortable isn't just the actors' working relationship or the integrity of the scene it's the actors' bodies and psyches. These aren't small things to toy with and knowing that there is any debate on the necessity of an intimacy director needs to disappear and fast.
Intimacy Direction and the proper handling of these situations is increasingly important, especially since there is more and more information arising how in the past intimacy in theatre, television, and film was not handled properly. It actually blows my mind that the idea of intimacy direction and intimacy choreography is a new concept because it seems like such a fundamental part of how to set up a scene with that content, but I am glad that it is something the arts industries are choosing to face. I also think it is especially important to not only just introduce the idea of intimacy choreographers/ coordinators/ directors but also inform the industry about it’s importance through panels and other types of seminars like the panel hosted at LA Stage. In the same way dance or a fight is choreographed, intimacy should also be choreographed. It doesn’t have to be unpolished and raw for it to still be powerful, because, as stated in the article, if an actor feels safe in their working environment, they will be better able to put art out into the world.
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