Supporting Staged Intimacy: A Practical Guide for Theatre Creatives, Managers, and Crew

by Alexis Black, Tina M. Newhauser

Supporting Staged Intimacy: A Practical Guide for Theatre Creatives, Managers, and Crew examines the relationship between staged intimacy, intimacy direction, and those supporting the process during pre-production, rehearsal, and performance.



First, this book addresses challenges and trends in staging intimacy, helping backstage and offstage theatre artists recognize the problematic approaches and culture that led to the emerging field of intimacy direction. This text will then provide tools and recommended practices for supporting the creation and maintaining of staged intimacy, enabling team members to enact contemporary protocols concerning advocacy and agency. Finally, this book will educate and empower readers with the necessary skills to prompt change; by providing modern techniques, essential workplace protocols, and achievable action items, this book will transform the way theatre designers, managers, crew, and other creative team members engage with theatrical consent.

Supporting Staged Intimacy is written for every pre-professional and professional artist working behind the scenes who wish to better support consensual workplaces, physically intimate stories, and the individuals telling those stories.

Genres: Nonfiction

266 pages, ebook

Published November 22, 2022

Reviews

[John Geddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some really nice tidbits in here. And it's a newer field that's desperately needed.

I will say that the book weighs heavily on the history of Intimacy Choreography and importance of informed consent. Then it adds a lot of content on the intersectionality with sexism, racism and the importance of mental health. All of these are important topics, but after all that I found the coverage on the actual approach and methodology a little fleeting.

I do think it would be a pretty good workbook for those with exposure to IC and are looking for a something to highlight all the potential ways that they can integrate consent-based operation into their group.

[Liz Whittaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone who does theatre should read this book! Maybe I'm biased but I really appreciated the care and thoughtfulness of this book.

Favorite things:
1. The in-depth exploration of each topic. It goes beyond skimming the surface without being overwhelming.
2. The variety of perspectives. There are handfuls of contributions from other intimacy professionals who share their unique experiences and voices.
3. Practical advice! This is probably one of the most valuable aspects of this book—whether you’re an arts administrator or a stage manager or a director, there’s tons of actionable advice to use and adapt for your own practice. There are even exercises!

Highly recommended.