Intimacy + the Arts

intimacy direction for theater . physical storytelling support

What can an Intimacy Director provide for your production?

Part choreographer, part advocate for actors, and part liaison between actors and production for scenes that involve nudity / hyper-exposed work, simulated sex acts, and/or intimate physical contact. An intimacy director creates a consent-forward space where rich, grounded physical stories can be told. They offer:

  • Connected choreography for sexual or otherwise intimate scenes between actors

  • Support in creating a rehearsal space rooted in consent, agency, comfort, boundaries, and trust

  • Resources and practices for actors as they navigate particularly intense scenes or roles.

Veronica Dress is proud to have been trained as an Intimacy Director through Intimacy Directors and Coordinators’ Level 1 and 2 curriculum and is currently pursuing certification.

After apprenticeship under certified Intimacy Directors who serve as mentors and peer support, Veronica has collaborated as Intimacy Director on productions at Switchyard Theater (Or,), Burning Coal Theater (Arcadia), Meredith College (Carrie: The Musical), St. John’s MCC (Corpus Christi), NRACT (Fun Home) and more.

Drawing upon 15 years of movement experience, a background in musical theater, acting, and burlesque performance, Veronica’s approach is only enhanced by her expertise in holistic, trauma-informed sexuality and consent education.

Knowing that power and privilege enter into even the most intentional artistic spaces, Veronica continues to learn and shift her approach through trainings on topics such as:

    • Mental Health First Aid

    • Anti-Racism and Decolonization

    • Consent Education

    • Gender and Sexuality

    • Restorative Justice Practices

    • Theater of the Oppressed

  • “Veronica has an inviting and playful spirit that permeates a room. She creates a calming atmosphere for the work to happen; our actors felt safe and supported during their sessions with her.”

    Lormarev Jones,

    Director + Certified Intimacy Director

  • “The way Veronica carries herself and shows up in the room invites others to check in with themselves throughout their shared interactions. She establishes herself as an advocate for safety and comfort in a space that is often nervous making or flat out scary. This allows others to return to the present moment, which makes for richer and more generative play and exploration.”

    Serayah Silver,

    Stage Manager + Author

  • “You are utterly perfect in what you do, and made me feel so safe and comfortable with not only my scene partner, but also with my personal comfort with my character. Thank you so much for existing and being a part of this.”

    Raleigh-Based Actor

  • “This was my first experience working with an Intimacy Coordinator - and I’ll never go back. Veronica acknowledged the feelings, emotions, anxieties, and fears of my scene partner and I, helped us communicate our comfort levels, and helped block and nail down intimate “choreography” that not only made us feel comfortable, but also improved the moment theatrically.”

    Raleigh-Based Actor

  • “Veronica was amazing to work with. Veronica is a person first driven intimacy director. She empowers and protects those she works with in the most respectful and loving way. I learned so much about direction, intimacy and sexuality from Veronica while working with her. I would work with her again in a heartbeat.”

    Raleigh-Based Director

Storytelling Support for Burlesque Artists

Have an act you've been working on and just feel like something is missing? You've been rehearsing your cute booty off and can't seem to figure out how your character moves, what their motivation for stripping is, what makes them tick?

In this one hour session, you'll receive individualized consultation and support from The Dress Rehearsal. With years of experience in character-driven burlesque and physical storytelling training through Intimacy Directors and Coordinators, you'll be supported in adjusting even the smallest moments in your act to leverage big impact.

This service is intended for acts that are already in process and would benefit from feedback and consultation. This service does not include creating an act from the beginning.

Accountability

I am committed to fostering spaces that challenge urgency and the abuse of power. To that end, I offer a few ways to share feedback on my work (and a space to share testimonials!).

You can share your thoughts via anonymous feedback form. It can be difficult to let someone know they’ve harmed you. This form creates the physical space to do so with anonymity, if you choose.

If your concern is with something that occurred on an intimacy project, you can also contact the production company directly.