Intimacy Choreographer ❀ Communication ❀ Closure ❀

Intimacy Choreographer ❀ Communication ❀ Closure ❀

An Intimacy Choreographer (IC), also known as Intimacy Director (ID), works in live performance as an advocate for performers, as well as a liaison between performers, producers and directors for scenes that involve nudity, simulated sex, intimate physical contact or hyper-exposed work.

Intimacy Choreographers allow performers to have a concrete plan on how the intimate moments are going to be choreographed so that it’s manageable and repeatable from performance to performance. By utilizing consent-based approaches, they support the storytelling of the production all within the context of the performers’ boundaries. 

The work may also include assistance for hyper-exposed moments of extreme emotion or vulnerability. Intimacy Choreographers offer tools for self-care, working within boundaries established by the performers, using de-sexualized and de-loaded choreographic language, as well as supporting and educating on best practices for consent-forward work in productions.

Here’s a list of ways an Intimacy Choreographer can support your production:

✮ Facilitates clear communication between performer, director and producers to ensure all involved understand the creative vision and agree on how it will be filmed.

✮ Recommends appropriate language to be added to AEA contracts/nudity/simulated sex riders.

✮ Supports performers in physically and emotionally preparing for intense scenes involving violence, non-consensual intimacy, consent withdrawal or unclear consent. Recommends en-roling/closing practices/de-roling techniques.

✮ Collaborates with stage manager, costumes, props and SPFX to facilitate logistics of scenes involving nudity and simulated sex, allowing for a smooth production process.

✮ Protects performers’ boundaries throughout rehearsals/tech rehearsals and adapts to last minute changes to boundaries in real-time so production can keep moving in a way that aligns with the director’s vision and performers’ boundaries.

✮ Safeguards minors in scenes involving familial intimacy such as hugging, hyper-exposed work (taking a bath) or experiencing a first kiss on stage.

✮ Ensures closed set protocols and Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) Guidelines/ Chicago Theatre Standards are being followed.

✮ Choreographs simulated sex using trauma-informed practices and de-sexualized language.

✮ Serves as an on-set ally for LGBTQIA+ cast and crew.

✮ Consults on topics such as casting notices and scenes/stories involving minors, disability, non-monogamy, BDSM/kink and alternative lifestyles.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Intimacy Choreographers create environments of care for performers and production in staging scenes involving nudity, simulated sex, hyper-exposure and other intimate scenarios. They facilitate clear communication throughout the process, ensuring performer consent, while also creating a safer work environment by mitigating risk. ICs are also well versed in Actors Equity (AEA) protocols & Chicago Theatre Standards for nudity and simulated sex scenes. They work with all relevant departments to ensure union guidelines are being followed.

  • Tier 1 defines when an Intimacy Choreographer should be required and includes projects that feature nudity, simulated sex (including simulated masturbation) or simulated sexual violence and anything that requires a rider. 

    An intimacy coordinator is highly recommended for Tier 2. Make-out scenes with heavy kissing, implied nudity, caressing, groping, simulated childbirth/medical procedure, BDSM/kink, hyper-exposure and kissing involving a minor all fit under this category. 

    Tier 3 is when hiring an IC should be considered. That is when a director, producer or performer would like an IC to be present to facilitate a scene.

    ICs are department heads and should be hired at the same time that other department heads are hired. The earlier in the process you bring the IC on board, the more assistance they can offer by identifying potential issues that might arise. Waiting to hire an IC can cost valuable time and creativity.

  • ICs start by reading the full script and breakdown any scene that might require a conversation around consent. ICs then meet with the director and go through every scene identified in the script breakdown to get a sense of the director’s creative vision for each of the scenes. Next, ICs schedule private one-on-one meetings with each performer involved in the scenes to inform them of the director’s vision. The performers can then share their feedback and boundaries in regards to the scenes. That information is then relayed back to the director and to production to begin coordinating with all relevant departments, including stage manager, wardrobe, makeup, and possibly stunts or props. During rehearsals, ICs ensure all closed set protocols are in place, make sure performer communication is clear, and assist with choreographing the scene.

  • ICs work closely with the stage manager, costumes, lighting and occasionally SPFX, makeup and props. ICs also work closely with stunt coordinators if a scene requires movement that could potentially harm performers.

  • Rates vary on a sliding scale based on the overall budget, content of the intimate scenes, number of performers, etc.

  • Intimacy Choreographers come from a variety of backgrounds and not all have the same training and qualifications, although there are certification programs specifically focused on live performance. Many intimacy professionals and arts programs follow the Chicago Theatre Standards, which outlines simple cost-free practices and tools to prevent and respond to the everyday challenges in arts environments. The overall tenets of the document are: communication, safety, respect & accountability.

  • No, Intimacy Choreographers are currently non-union.

  • Meleane has trained with several organizations and is currently working towards live performance certification with Intimacy Professionals Association (IPA).

Education and Intimacy Training (300+ hours)

  • Intimacy Choreographer Live Performance Certification Class of 2025 (certification pending) - Intimacy Professionals Association

    Foundations of Consent & Intimacy (Level 1) and Applications of Consent & Intimacy (Level 2) - Intimacy Directors & Coordinators, 27 hrs

    Best Practices Workshop Weekend: LA - Theatrical Intimacy Education, 14 hrs

    LA Coordination Workshop - Open Intimacy Creatives, 11 hrs

    Deepening Embodied Consent & Clarity - Intimacy Professionals Association, 4 hrs

    Choreo Jam: Instant Chemistry - Tonia Sina, 3.5 hrs

  • Sexual Harassment & Abusive Conduct Prevention - California Civil Rights Department, 2 hrs

    Harassment Prevention - Contract Services, 1 hr

    Preventing Discrimination & Harassment for Supervisors - The Walt Disney Company, 2 hrs

  • Intercourse | Outercourse Lab Workshop - Intimacy Professionals Education Collective, 5 hrs

    Movement Qualifiers & Language | The Art of Consent in Non-Consent Lab Workshop - Intimacy Professionals Education Collective, 5.5 hrs

    Staging Sex LA Workshop: Intercourse | Outercourse | Kink, BDSM & Group Play - Open Intimacy Creatives, 12 hrs

    Staging Sex: Intercourse - Theatrical Intimacy Education, 3 hrs

    Staging Sex: Outercourse - Theatrical Intimacy Education, 3 hrs

    Staging Sex: Kissing - Theatrical Intimacy Education, 3 hrs

    Staging Sex: Polyamory, Non-Monogamy & Playing in Groups - Theatrical Intimacy Education, 3 hrs

    Staging Sex: Power Play - Theatrical Intimacy Education, 3 hrs

    Staging Sex: Non-Consensual Intimacy - Theatrical Intimacy Education - 3 hrs

    Staging Sex: Pregnancy, Abortion & Menstruation - Open Intimacy Creatives, 3 hrs

    Staging Intimacy Beyond the Binary - Theatrical Intimacy Education - 3 hrs

    Finding the Funny: Intimacy & Comedy - Intimacy Professionals Association, 2 hrs

    Stage Fighting & Intimacy - Theatrical Intimacy Education - 2 hrs

    Introduction to Viewpoints - Momentum Stage, 1 hr

    Laban for Actors: Using the Psychological Interpretations of the 8 Effort Actions - Momentum Stage, 1.5 hrs

  • Props, Barriers, Toys, Coverage Garments & Clothing Lab Workshop - Intimacy Professionals Education Collective, 5 hrs

    Modesty Garments, Barriers & Masking - Theatrical Intimacy Education, 3 hrs

  • Conflict & Communication - Open Intimacy Creatives, 3 hrs

    Collaboration & Conflict - Association of Mental Health Coordinators, 3 hrs

    De-Escalation Training - The Walt Disney Company, 1 hr

    60 to Zero in 60 Seconds: De-escalating Strong Emotions in the Workplace - IATSE Education & Training, 1.5 hrs

    Conflict Resolution Foundations - LinkedIn Learning, 50 minutes

  • Introduction to Gender & Sexuality - Intimacy Professionals Association, 2 hrs

    Gender & Sexuality: Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace - University of Pittsburgh, 16 hrs

  • Implicit Bias Training - The Ohio State University, 2 hrs

    Disability & Intimacy: How Media Shapes Our Understanding - Intimacy Professionals Association, 2 hrs

    Exploring the Intersection of Intimacy & Autism - Intimacy Professionals Association, 2 hrs

    Exploring Disability & Intimacy in Production: A Panel Discussion - Intimacy Professionals Association, 1.5 hrs

    Intimacy Coordination with Disabled Performers - Intimacy Professionals Association, 4 hrs

    Working with Trans & Non-Binary Artists - Theatrical Intimacy Education, 3 hrs

    Working with Minors - Theatrical Intimacy Education, 6 hrs & Intimacy Professionals Association, 4 hrs

    Pregnancy & Intimacy - Theatrical Intimacy Education, 3 hrs

    Artivism & Collective Action - Momentum Stage, 1.5 hrs

  • Bystander Intervention in the Entertainment Industry - Right to Be (formally Hollaback!), 1.5 hrs

    Bystander Training: From Bystander to Upstander - LinkedIn Learning, 48 minutes

  • Mental Health Coordinator Certification (expires 12/28/27) - Association of Mental Health Coordinators, 150+ hrs

    Certified Trauma Support Specialist (expires 5/13/26) - Trauma Institute International, 12 hrs

    Adult Mental Health First Aid (expires 7/18/2026) - National Council for Mental Wellbeing, 8 hrs

    Youth Mental Health First Aid (expires 3/7/2027) - National Council for Mental Wellbeing, 6 hrs

    Psychological First Aid - Johns Hopkins University, 6 hrs

    Building Safety - Association of Mental Health Coordinators, 3 hrs

    Care Culture & Policy - Association of Mental Health Coordinators, 3 hrs

    Foundations of Mental Health Coordination - Association of Mental Health Coordinators, 18+ hrs

    Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) - The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 5 hrs

    Secondary Traumatic Stress for Educators - The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 1.5 hrs

    Trauma-Informed Creative Practices Essentials - Momentum Stage, 4 hrs

    The Trauma Toolbox - TraumaToolbox.com, 5 hrs

    Suicide Prevention Training - Zero Suicide Alliance, 1 hr

    Naloxone Training - TowardtheHeart.com BCCDC Harm Reduction Services, 1 hr

  • Riders - Open Intimacy Creatives, 3 hrs

    Sex Ed for Intimacy Professionals - Open Intimacy Creatives, 3 hrs

    Theater, Film & Sex as a Profession - Theatrical Intimacy Education, 2 hrs

    Intro to Tantra & Tantric Practice for IC’s - Intimacy Professionals Association, 4 hrs

    Intro to Kink & BDSM - Intimacy Professionals Association , 4 hrs

    Kink CPR: Harm Reduction & Trauma-Informed Strategies for Safer Kink Play - Dr. Allie Melendez, 2 hrs

    Advanced Kink & BDSM - Sex Educator Jamie Joy, 2 hrs

    Ignite the Spark: The Art of Wax & Electro Play - Sex Educator Jamie Joy, 2 hrs

    Shibari FUNdamentals: Rope Bondage 101 - Sex Educator Vee Electro Papi, 1.5 hrs

    Strap-On & Anal Training - Sex Educators Goddess Emmeline Divine & Jamie Joy, 4 hrs

    Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED (expires 5/31/2026) - American Red Cross, 4.5 hrs

    OSHA 30 General Industry with Focus on the Entertainment Industry - Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 30 hrs

    Safety Advisor Training - Contract Services, 73 hrs

    B.S., Business Administration: Marketing - California State University, Long Beach

* State/Federal background check and certificates are available upon request