Intimacy Workshops

Having a working language in intimacy for performers is a recent invention, the first professional contract of which was only utilized circa 2017 on the Deuce on HBO. Those a history of miscommunications, power imbalance and lack of tools to communicate and execute intimacy in a performance setting has bred so much awkwardness, miscommunications, mistrust and at times even accidents and harm in process, on set and on stage. An absolute essential for ALL actors and directors, and allies in other departments.

At the Atelier, we believe firmly that the fundamentals of Intimacy is there not only to protect: but to have an awareness where actors can begin exploring and investigating their boundaries while being fully in the driver’s seat. We will demystify, and hence take away the shame, guilt and uncertainty, to ultimately raise the emotional intimacy required in the work when we know our boundaries are being respected with specificity and care.

Intimacy Fundamentals: Introduction to intimacy and consent for actors and directors

with Siobhan Richardson

Co-Founder, Intimacy Directors International; Faculty at Toronto Metropolitan University

Dates/Times: November 25 (2PM-6PM)

Cost: $115 - (15% off ACTRA & DGC members)

One-off workshop Introduction to intimacy for actors and directors

In this four-hour workshop, we have the honor of inviting one of the original founders of Intimacy Director International, Siobhan Richardson, to teach us about foundational consent practices, and communication strategies as well as introductory exercises of basic touch to begin this conversation.

Intimacy Scene Study

with Siobhan Richardson and Eugene Ma

Co-Founder, Intimacy Directors International; Faculty at Toronto Metropolitan University

Dates/Times: December 1st (6-10pm) 2nd and 3rd (10-5pm) 4th (6-10pm)

Cost: $550 (15% off ACTRA & DGC members)

Building upon the basic intimacy practices, we will begin with technical practices of performing intimacy under the guidance of Siobhan Richardson, then we go deeper and work on scenes that contain intimacy in a rigorous scene study context both with the technical and artistic expertise of Siobhan who will help negotiate and choreograph moments of the scenes when they concern intimacy as we work, as we also address strategies from the acting department with Atelier director Eugene as the scenes are ultimately as good as the connection and legibility of content, and how these intimate moments —rather than detracting or distracting from— serves, heightens and highlights the story or vision of a project.

Combat Crash Course

Dates/Times: November 17 from 6-10pm, November 18 from 1-5pm

Cost: $215 all inclusive (15% off ACTRA & DGC members)

This unarmed stage combat course teaches you the safety techniques that are the foundation of all stage combat moves. You’ll learn foundation concepts illustrated with specific techniques. The session culminates with putting together a 3 to 5 move sequence, to practice the action within a short piece of choreography. After this course you can look at any stage combat move and know what’s the illusion being created (what should the audience believe is happening?) and how are the performers achieving that (what makes it safe, and how is the illusion being created?).

Emphasis is on communication with partners and specific physical action to ensure that the story is clear for the audience.

An essential course for all actors and a fabulous supplement for stage managers, directors, choreographers, and designers.

Auditors welcome.

Note: The is course takes a light-hearted approach to learning movement, so that the participants can joyfully prioritize connecting with scene partners and finding specific physical movements. While the stories we tell can be violent and unpleasant, the learning of the technique is consensual and we aim for it to be an enjoyable experience.