ARTICLES AND PUBLICATIONS
Updated May 23rd 2023
8:00pm EDT
ANN JAMES
Intimacy Coordinator
Also an essayist and writer, Ann has written extensively on the art of intimacy coordination. Her work can be found in the archives of Howlround Theatre Commons, theatre journals, magazines, newspapers, and more.
Ann’s portfolio also includes podcasts such as, Intimacy Choreographers in Conversation, the first podcast of its kind.
HOWLROUND THEATRE COMMONS
Click the links below to view Ann’s essays.
Intimate Reform
Putting Out the Dumpster Fire Through White Abolition
Rebuilding for the Future: A Convergence of Thought Leaders in Intimacy Practice
Intimacy and Equity: A Balancing Act
Minding the Gaps: Making Space for All Identities in Intimacy Work
Making Our Own Table:Defining Black Intimacy Practice
Balancing Power Through Intimacy in the Rehearsal Space
Queering of Intimacy: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Action
Erasure is Not an Option:Intimacy Advocacy Through the Transgender Lens
Being Authentic in a New Theater Practice
Bringing Identity to Staged Intimacy
Celebrating the Spirit in Intimacy Work
HowlRound is a digital platform dedicated to Social Justice reform in the theater industry.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Podcasts
Intimacy Choreographers in Conversation was the first podcast of its kind. The two hosts explore intimacy choreography and shifting performing arts spaces towards a culture of consent during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ann C. James
Ann C. James made her debut as the first Black Intimacy Coordinator of Broadway in 2021 for Antoinette Nwandu’s Pass Over. James serves as an intimacy and sensitivity consultant for Hamilton (USA) and Hamilton (UK), and is currently serving as an Intimacy/Cultural consultant in New York City for PARADE, SWEENEY TODD, WHITE GIRL IN DANGER, HOW TO DEFEND YOURSELF, AMANI, and at LaJolla Playhouse for THE OUTSIDERS. Ann has served as Intimacy Director and Sensitivity Specialist® for the provocative Off-Broadway productions of Moises Kaufman’s Seven Deadly Sins and Here There are Blueberries by Tectonic Theatre Project, Seize the King produced by Classical Theatre of Harlem, Twilight: Los Angeles,1992 and Dominique Morisseau’s compelling play, Confederates at Signature Theater. Her company, Intimacy Coordinators of Color, has partnerships with Adelphi University, New York University, Columbia University, American Conservatory Theater, Brown University, Trinity Repertory Theater, A.R.T./New York, and The American Repertory Theater at Harvard.
Carly Weckstein
I come to the exciting new field of intimacy choreography with years of experience in both theatre direction and sex education. I have extensive practice guiding actors through sexually charged material, with a particular consideration for holding brave spaces in which to safely make uncomfortable art. I believe that excellent storytelling does not have to be sacrificed in order to bring consent culture into an artistic space. Rather, the specificity and mindfulness that intimacy directors can provide allows actors to make informed decisions and claim their boundaries, so they can truly be free to explore and take risks. Telling stories that include sexuality requires artists’ vulnerability and growth — it never needs to come at the cost of anyone’s dignity, integrity, mental health or sense of belonging.
Ann joined Sista Brunch, hosted by Anya and Fanshen, for a conversation about “Making Intimacy Intersectional”.
In this episode, she reveals how to make set intimacy more inclusive, respectful, and encompassing of various gender identities, sexualities, racial identities, and disabilities. Listen as she talks with co-hosts Anya and Fanshen about the danger of people-pleasing, protecting others on set and the power of being “bystanders in the room,” and why OnlyFans is on the verge of a revolution for sex workers.
Episode description provided by podcast
Intimacy coordinator Ann James joins me to discuss the burgeoning field of intimacy coordination. What is it? What’s the history? The training, and what she’s doing to diversify the field.
Description provided by podcast
Listen here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-reel-woman/id1439746837
Ann sits down to talk about her career and the emerging field of Intimacy Choreography with her co-hosts on Live at the Lortel. To listen to more interviews from LATL, follow the link below.
Host Steph Newman speaks with Ann about how to become an Intimacy Choreographer.
Ann C. James 