What is Theatrical Intimacy?

Theatrical Intimacy is all about scenes of an intimate nature in which actions such as kissing and touching through to simulated sex are played out and performed. Due to the safety of performers, Intimate Directors are specialist directors hired to ensure intimate scenes are performed safely, with the wellbeing of those involved at the forefront of the action. Ita O’rien, the first Intimacy Director for the BBC, founded ‘Intimacy on Set’ which is a service provided to film, TV and theatre when dealing with intimacy, sexual content and nudity. Intimacy on Set provides services such as Intimacy Coordinators, Consultancy and Advocacy and Training. You can find out more about this service here : 
https://www.intimacyonset.com/

A structure using 5 C’ has been created to help those involved understand how Theatre and Intimacy works. This structure was created by Intimate Coordinator Siobhan Richardson and is known as ‘The 5 C’s of Intimacy’. 

 

The 5 Cs of Intimacy: In Conversation with Siobhan Richardson

These 5 C’s are as follows: 

• Context- what is the context of the scene and what story is trying to be told 
• Communication- open dialogues are so important, so everyone has change to speak openly about how they feel
• Consent- just because the story isn’t real does not mean the actor isn’t, consent MUST be given for all intimate activity, both given and received
• Choreography- everything is choreographed and rehearsed so all actors know what is going to happen, there are no surprises upon filming or performing
• Closure- when a intimate scene ends, the intimacy ends

Why is Theatrical Intimacy important?

With intimacy in theatre, it is important to respect and perfect in order to protect those involved. Intimacy in theatre and performance is very common as performers and practitioners continuously explore ‘real life’ emotions and intimate situations. When working with intimate content, it is important that there is a clear distinction made between performance and reality, and that intimacy happening in the ‘performance’ world remains in the ‘performance’ world. The physical and mental safety of performers is at the forefront of any form of art, Intimacy Directors are hired to ensure this is carried out.

What did I learn about in the workshop?

In November 2019, I attended a Theatrical Intimacy workshop in London, to learn about staging theatrical intimacy and staying emotionally and physically safe during any intimate theatrical scenarios, such as kissing, simulated sex or nudity. The workshop itself consisted of mostly spoken advice, though we did take part in some guided physical activity to understand and practice the rights we have to our bodies during auditions and performance. During the workshop, we played out a simple exercise that has stuck in my mind ever since. It involved a small group standing in a circle and taking it in turns to offer a hand shake to the person beside. When offering this handshake, we asked “can I shake your hand”? It was then the ‘receivers’ choice as to whether they shook the hand offered or not. We were also encouraged to verbalise our response, a “no” or “I don’t want to” when we disregarded a shake and, a “yes” or an “of course” to be verbalised if we were happy to have our hands shaken. This exercise brought to my attention how easy it is to fall into the trap of saying yes to something we do not want to do, due to a certain pressure on us from those watching (in this instance, the rest of my group, in the performance world, a crew or audience). When a member of my group held their hand out to me, I did feel as though I had to shake it. When we were encouraged to refuse this gesture, I felt awkward saying no. I believe that the whole point of this exercise was to diminish this awkward feeling of saying no to something we were uncomfortable with. Although a handshake may seem innocent, if I were to struggle to say no to that, I would surely struggle to say no to other, more intimate, actions.

How is this useful for my own practice as a community arts worker?

Learning about Theatre and Intimacy and the different ways in which intimacy is conducted in performance has been really useful when thinking about my own work. As I will be working with vulnerable people, as well as society in general, it is important that I am respectful about people’s personal space and make sure any contact, such as touching hands, is offered as opposed to imposed. I need to make sure my work is safe and that everyone who takes part has complete control over their own bodies and actions.

Something I have learnt through my previous community arts experience, and that has been reiterated in the Intimacy Workshop, is the idea to use an invitation for physical contact, allowing the ‘receiver’ full control over their actions. For example, I would say “would you like to hold my hand” as opposed to “can I hold your hand”. This allows the person to make a choice about what they personally want to do, rather than a choice about what I do to them.

These are all really important ideas and tips I will take forward with my community work to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the people I work with.