What is the difference between an Intimacy Coordinator/Director and a Sensitivity Specialist?

According to Tonia Sina, the originator of the theory and position of Intimacy Director, intimacy professionals are focused on helping actors rehearse and perform within their boundaries while executing intimate physical movement.

While intimacy is based on physical movement, sensitivity work focuses on bringing forward the emotional intelligence an actor needs in order to perform the feelings and choices a character makes. Certified Sensitivity Specialists help to define bridges to healing when harm happens in a creative space. The practice is not trauma-based, but based in enthusiastic sustainability of craft.

What is the difference between a Mental Health Coordinator and a Sensitivity Specialist?

A Certified Sensitivity Specialist:

●  Is listed and billed as a Creative in the organizational structure of a live production.

● Holds expertise in fostering emotionally intelligent communication practices for live performance communities and individuals.

● Works hand in hand with producers, general managers, directors, our co-creatives, actors, crews and front of house leadership to frame out community agreements and tools for reconciliation for an entire production.

● Serves as a resource for conflict resolution, institutional or industry harm, transformational justice, deroleing techniques and provides emotionally intelligent tools for consensual, enthusiastic storytelling for the EEOC protected classes and beyond.

● Supports all healthy mental, physical and emotional practices that foster the concepts of individual and community growth including consensual and somatic health strategies.

● Documents instances of traumatic response or mental discomfort in actors who are tasked with handling and portraying charged material including but not exclusive to: su**idal tendencies or enactment, pregnancy and childbirth, size discrimination, eating disorders, spousal and elderly ab*se, child ab*se, cultural abu*se, se*ual misconduct and imbalances of power.

A Mental Health Coordinator:

● Supports a creative team, actors and devisers in creating knowledgeable and brave space around themes of mental illness in storytelling.

● Provides resources and mental health first aid techniques for stabilizing or activating a plan for individuals who need support in a crisis on set or on stage.

● Is knowledgeable and prepared to familiarize groups about the accurate and respectful portrayals of people who exhibit and live with mental disorders and challenges.

● Documents instances of traumatic response or mental discomfort in actors who are tasked with handling and portraying charged material including but not exclusive to: su**idal tendencies or enactment, pregnancy and childbirth, size discrimination, eating disorders, spousal and elderly ab*se, child ab*se, cultural abu*se, se*ual misconduct and imbalances of power.

What is the benefit of having a Sensitivity Specialist on the production team?

The biggest benefit of having a Certified Sensitivity Specialist on a creative team is to allow space for the directing and stage management teams to focus on their areas of expertise while giving actors and creatives alike a person who can offer emotionally intelligent tools for coping with challenging experiences and content.

What cities do Associates work in?

Ann James is based in New York City. We have Sensitivity Specialists working in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, and various cities in Colorado, Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. Sensitivity Specialists are also available for virtual consultations and may be available to travel.