“The pairs’ intimacies are believable, enjoyable, and palpable from the first scene to the last. . . Nothing makes me happier than being able to heartily recommend a work of inspired construction.” -Christian Detres, RVA Mag, Jan. 29, 2024 https://rvamag.com/art/theatre/to-live-in-or-reinvent-the-world-that-is-the-question.html?fbclid=IwAR1Vo9JrO5mPvu_61zObuB6lBwNIRohg7DNNpvFMoYmcNWLsVpdaaLoYFZk “While all of the technical elements effectively support the proceedings, intimacy choreographer Lucinda McDermott deserves special recognition for making interactions that fluctuate wildly from aggressive to affectionate always seem genuine.” -David Timberline, Style Weekly, Jan. 30, 2024 https://www.styleweekly.com/lets-get-visceral/?fbclid=IwAR3O1gU-7lqCdJ-Xis0NmhUMOeBnBHekphfBHc-oHTARZL0gn9lSpLBNvU8 “Also new to us this season is the incredible, the amazing and infinitely charming Lucinda McDermott who worked with our actors as Intimacy Coordinator. This show needed someone gracious, professional, and good-humored and that's just what we got with Lucinda. Thank you for everything you've done for us, Lucinda! Let's do it again sometime!” -James Ricks, Producing Artistic Director, Richmond Shakespeare "Lucinda McDermott is an absolutely phenomenal Intimacy Director. In the summer of 2021, I was directing a production of Twelfth Night and realized well into our rehearsal period that there were some very sensitive issues in the play's staging that needed to be addressed. Lucinda came in and was able to quickly win the actors' trust. She maintained appropriate confidentiality and followed impeccable professional procedure in working with the actors, and in reporting to me what needed to be done to ensure their safety and peace of mind. The cast was unanimous in giving overwhelmingly positive reports of her work. After this truly enlightening process with Lucinda, I hope never to direct a play again without an intimacy director, and she will be at the top of my list. I highly and without reservation recommend Lucinda as an Intimacy Director." -Dr. Jan Powell
Intimacy Choreography and Directing is a new branch of the entertainment arena, specifically for theatre and film. The focus and intent of an Intimacy Choreographer is to assist in creating safe, consent based, boundary and trauma aware creative work spaces. Moments of intimacy in the past have often been fraught during rehearsal and performance with sometimes little guidance or consideration for the physical or emotional boundaries of the performers. The role of the Intimacy Choreographer, who coordinates with the Director’s vision, gives greater context physically to help tell the story, while making sure the actors retain agency.
Intimacy Choreographers/Directors have a wide background of experience that can include dance, movement, stage fight, acting, directing, playwriting, mime, yoga, etc. . . They engage in extensive training and study in the areas of equity, diversity, inclusion, trauma informed work, Race awareness, advocacy, and allyship, LGBQTA+ awareness, advocacy, and allyship, and more.
Lucinda’ vast experience as an actor, director, playwright, teaching artist all underscores that of a Storyteller. As an Intimacy Choreographer, she has extended her storytelling to include moments of intimacy to better inform character, relationship through movements that occur intimately WHILE keeping performers safe.
She would love to talk to you about bringing this to your organization. Please contact her at Lucimc2319@gmail.com
INTIMACY DIRECTING
Airswimming by Charlotte Jones, Richmond Triangle Players Richmond, VAMelissa Rayford, Director (current)
Born with Teeth by Liz Duffy Adams, Richmond Shakes, Richmond, VA. Andrew Gall, Director
Twelfth Night, Quill Theatre, Richmond, VA. Dr. Jan Powell, Director
DIRECTING
Vagina Monologues, Radford University/Women’s Studies Program (six productions)
Thumbelita Dalton Middle School
The Beggars Opera Radford High School
The Good Body TheatreLAB, Richmond, VA
Secrets of the Midwives Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Journey to Redemption Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
In Desperate Circumstances Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
What Holds the Future Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
A Christmas Call to Arms Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Joy in the Morning Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
The Ice Wolf Radford University, Radford, VA
The Little Theatre of the Green Goose ArtsXtreme at Radford University
Carr Parked Sideways Mill Mountain Theatre Youth Ensemble
Vanities Radford University
The Dark at the Top of the Stairs Radford University
Journey to Bethlehem Wyncote, PA and Radford, VA
Black Pearls Hampton University
The Way of the Cross St. Paul’s, Norfolk, VA
The Inferno Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA
My training and study includes:
- Certification in Mental Health First Aid, Adult and Youth 2021
- Modesty Garments and Barriers with TIE, Chelsea Pace, Nov. 2021
- Trauma Informed Work, Theatre Intimacy Education (TIE) 3 hours with Chelsea Pace & Andrew Barrat, Oct. 2021
- Best Practices with TIE, Andrew Barratt Lewis, Joy Brooke Fairfield, Sept. 2021
- Lab/In Person Intimacy skills and practice with Cara Rawlings, VA Tech, April 8, 22, 29, 2021
- Level Two training, Intimacy Directors and Coordinators Inc., (IDC) Sasha Smith, Alicia Rodis, Claire Warden, April – May, 2021
- The Transgender Training Institute Ally/Advocate Training Camp, certified, Philadelphia, PA 2020
- Gender Dialogue; Actors Equity Association, Bliss Griffen, Josephine Kearns 2020
- Theatre on the Spectrum; Actors Equity Assoc., Bliss Griffen, Ariel Estrada, Anton Spivak, Ava Rigelhaupt, Miranda Lee, Emily Page Bullow, Samantha Elisofson 2020
- Intimacy and Covid Webinar with Claire Warden, IDC, 2020
- Anti-Racism for White Folks Webinar, Rev. Smash, Lighthouse Foundation, Chicago, ILL. 2020
- Let’s Talk About Intimacy, Best practices for communicating consent. Webinar, IDC Jessica Steinrock. 2020
- Talking about the Body, IDC, Rachel Fletcher, Charlie Baker, Kira Jones. 2020
- What Is an Intimacy Coordinator, IDC, Alicia Rodis. 2020
- Johns Hopkins Univ., Covid-19 Contact Tracing, certified, 2020
- Sex & Gender Webinar via Actors Equity Association, NY, NY 2020
- Anti-Racism for White Folks Webinar, Lighthouse Foundation, Chicago, IL 2020
- Intimacy and Covid Webinar with Claire Warden, IDC Inc., NY, NY 2020
- Talking About the Body Webinar, IDC Inc., NY, NY 2020
- Level One training (IDC), Sasha Smith, Colleen Hughes., New York, NY 2020
- Attendance at The Kennedy Center’s 2017 Arts Integration Conference, 2017
- Artists as Educators Seminar, Mapping the Journey: Planning Effective Residencies for Students developed by The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 2014
- Training as a Fellow with the A+ School Programs of North Carolina, a whole school reform program which integrates the multi-arts with the core curriculum for K-12. 2011-2015
- http://aplus-schools.ncdcr.gov/
- Safe Zone training, Radford University, 2007-2011
- Marianne Kubik Workshop (UVA) on Meyerhold techniques, VA Tech, Blacksburg, VA. Physical techniques in group facilitation leading to effective collaboration. 2010
- Training and Certification to lead Leadership Effectiveness Training, Parent Effectiveness Training and Teacher Effectiveness Training through Gordon Training International. Modules include active listening, problem ownership, conflict management. 2005
- Playwriting Seminars with Maria Irene Fornes and Mario Fratti, Pen & Brush, NYC. 2005
- Augusto Boal Workshop with Jan Cohen-Cruz (NYU), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. Techniques in forum theatre used a process to address community based issues. 2005
- Leading From the Heart/Creative Journaling Workshop with Cynthia Bischoff, Norfolk, VA. Techniques in using journaling as a means towards self knowledge, creative exploration, and collaboration. 2001
- Playwriting and Improvisation Workshop with Jeffrey Sweet, UVA, Charlottesville, VA. 1997
- Screenplay Workshop with Frank Pierson, UVA, Charlottesville, VA. 1998
- Seminar on Theatre Making with Julie Taymor, Corcoran Gallery, Washington, DC. 1997
- Acting, Breath Awareness Technique with Michael Moriarty, NYC, NY 1984-1992
- Acting with Hal Holden at HB Studios, NYC, NY. 1982