By Perry Allison, Producing Artistic Director
With the confluence of MeToo and the Covid pandemic, a new practice has entered the theatre business. Enter the Intimacy Coordinator. We the People Theatre held a workshop last night with Jackie Pageau, who is acting as our intimacy choreographer..
She believes deeply in this work and explained that its purpose is to create a welcoming rehearsal space that encourages dialogue and honors actor's wishes and their comfort around their physical space and their bodies. In a world where actors are expected to inhabit another character, they are sometimes asked to do things that may or may not feel comfortable to them. Imagine, having to touch someone in an intimate way who is not your partner or spouse. There are tools that are employed to actually choreograph those moments to serve the story-telling. There are techniques that allow actors to ask for a pause when they are not feeling comfortable. There is a clear expectation that the director will honor that request and only move forward when everyone's needs have been met. There is a technique for setting up boundaries and communicating them clearly. One person may decide that they are not comfortable with being touched on their leg. Another might have a sensitivty about their back. If the cast is allowed to communicate this clearly in the context of the moment they are rehearsing, then all will proceed smoothly.
As in so many theatre classes or rehearsal rooms, we played some games to cement the concepts being introduced. Who doesn't love playing games with your pals?
There was alot of discussion about consent. There are very specific rules about consent in this setting. Consent must be given freely. It must be revocable meaning It can be taken away at any point. Consent must be specific.
In the end, the workshop helped us build a system of trust and a language for communicating what we need to be at our best. We're so excited to be rehearsing together.
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