Stage Intimacy Policy and Procedures

Stage Intimacy Policy and Procedures (Developed August 2023)

Definition of Theatrical Intimacy

  • Scenes involving actions that are expressly sexual in nature and include, but are not limited to, kissing, hugging and simulated sex
  • Scenes that involve actions that are intimate by the context of the scene
  • A performer appearing nude, semi-nude, scantily-clad or in underwear, whether they interact physically with another or not
  • The action of removal of clothes on stage whether partial or completely

Casting Policies:

  • Actors will be provided character descriptions that include brief descriptions of intimacy requirements (i.e. hugging, kissing, theatrical intimacy listed above)
  • In the audition sign-up process, actors will be provided a disclosure form that allows actors to state their boundaries and ask for more detailed information about the theatrical intimacy of the given show
  • Auditions must not include physical intimacy or nudity

Rehearsal and Production Guidelines:

  • Practice a consent-based process
  • Establish Clear Boundaries
  • Desexualized Process
  • Choreography
  1. Before any choreography is written, discuss the “story” we want to tell between the characters. What sort of energy or tone is necessary to tell this story (avoid any discussion of specific movement or action here, focus on the idea of energies and the feel of the scene, ex. is it aggressive, sensual, by wrote, clumsy, etc.)
  2. Review the fences and gates previously established
  3. Discuss storytelling beats in line with #1 above with the actors. What physical actions make up each beat? Come to an agreement about the beats necessary to tell the story above. This will result in a framework for the choreography. This choreography must then be written out (and if a student will deliver it, ideally meet with someone adept in the process below to work out how to deliver it effectively to the actors BEFORE a choreography rehearsal, i.e. practice desexualized language).
  4. Go through each beat using the following elements:
  • Opening and closing distance (between bodies and parts of bodies)
  • Levels of touch (skin, muscle, bone)
  • Tempo and counts of movement
  • Use of shape and movement pattern (arcs, angles, figure eights)
  • Destinations (works in tandem with shape and opening/closing distance)
  • Eye contact
  • Power shifts (related to the story in #1)
  • Breath and sound (short/long, shallow/deep, high/low)
  • Placeholders should be used until choreography is set

Behavioral Expectations:

Theatre is a collaborative process made possible by people working together. It is therefore essential to foster a consensual environment where every member of the cast and crew is respected. By utilizing the methods above, particularly the continued practice of asking for consent, cast and crew create a safe place for theatrical intimacy and touch to be staged.

If a member of a cast or crew continuously disrespects established boundaries, intentionally causes harm to fellow members, and/ or is unresponsive to requests or discussions about their harmful behavior, they will be removed from the production process.

Chain of Communication:

While every person involved in a production process should work to uphold a safe, consensual environment, if a concern arises regarding the process, the chain of communication is as follows:

  • Zack Ross, Associate Professor of Theatre
  • Megan Burnett, Theatre Program Director

Available Resources: