The Work of an Intimacy Choreographer
An Intimacy Choreographer is an advocate for the needs and boundaries of performers involved in moments of physical touch, simulated sex, and hyper exposure, while acting as a liaison to directors and producers to ensure the artistic vision is achieved and supported. Just as a Fight Choreographer designs combat scenes for safety, sustainability, and artistic impact, the Intimacy Choreographer does the same for scenes of intimacy.
Not all productions are the same, and the work of an Intimacy Choreographer can be tailored to meet each production’s specific needs. As an Intimacy Choreographer, Mairi can provide or assist with:
•Choreography for scenes of physical touch, simulated sex, and hyper exposure, to support either realism or stylization to suit the tone of the production.
• Establishing and facilitating dialogues and clear communication channels between individual performers, the director, and production to address boundaries, artistic vision, and concern navigation.
• Providing support and de-roling/closure practices to performers, particularly in emotionally intense scenes/roles, including those involving non-consent or assault.
• Cast/company workshops on boundary establishment, consent, communication, and building healthy chemistry.
• Workshops on tools or choreography for experimental or non-traditional stage intimacy, such as abstracted intimacy or containers for less static/set moments of intimacy.
• Working with performers, the director, and production to establish a “Plan A, B, and C” for scenes of intimacy, to adapt to updated performer boundaries, understudies, and swings.
• Communicating with costume, makeup, and props to ensure performers have access to appropriate modesty garments and barriers.
• Consultation on what type of intimacy choreography and which of the IC’s services would best suit a production.
• Consultation or workshop to develop or hone a company/ensemble Code of Conduct, best practices, or establishing a culture of consent and care.
Mairi and Intimacy Work
Over her 18 years as a company advocate, non-equity deputy, facilitator/director, performer, producer, and intimacy/movement/fight choreographer/captain, Mairi has continually worked to establish every space she operates in as one of holistic consent and care. She is a firm believer that the performer is the center of the work of theatre, and that performers deserve both advocacy and emotional support to create their strongest, most vulnerable, and authentic performances. We can push to the edges without glamorizing or expecting the suffering of artists.
In addition to her many years of experience in movement, theatre production, and ensemble leadership, Mairi has completed the Intimacy Choreography for Live Performance program with the IPA (Intimacy Professionals Association), which exceeds Equity standards for certification. Her full certification will be complete in Spring 2026. This program includes practical knowledge of intimacy choreography and best practices, as well as training in non-violent communication, bystander intervention, conflict navigation, anti-racism, kink and BDSM, LGBTQ+ support, mental health first aid, de-roling and closure practices, and Equity standards for contracts and nudity riders.