What Does an Intimacy Professional Do?
An intimacy professional is an advocate and liaison specializing in choreography for intimate physical contact and scenes that require emotional and psychological vulnerability.
This includes, but is not limited to sensual interactions, familial relationships, simulated sex acts, hyper-exposed work, nudity and violence.
Intimacy Direction
I approach intimacy direction as a practice of clarity, care, and structure.
Intimate scenes are placed in a script with intention, and they should be realized with the same level of intention and care in performance.
There is no single way to approach this work.
In some cases, intimacy is fully choreographed: precise and choreographed in the same way as stage combat.
In others, the work is built through a clear container, shaped by the boundaries and needs of the artists involved.
In both cases, what matters is that:
boundaries are clearly established and respected
there is an expectation of repeatability
and performers are supported in a process that prioritizes safety and agency
My role is to support both the story and the people telling it.
I work with directors, performers, and creative teams to bring clarity to moments of intimacy, ensuring they are grounded, intentional, and sustainable within the life of the production.
How I Work
My process is grounded in the five core principles of intimacy work:
Context. Consent. Communication. Choreography. Closure.
Intimacy is always placed within a clear narrative and relational context
Consent is explicit, ongoing, and always revocable
Communication is direct, specific, and shared across the room
Physical contact is choreographed with clarity and precision
The work is closed with care, ensuring performers are supported beyond the scene
What I Expect in the Room
Openness: curiosity, presence, and willingness to engage
Context: the rehearsal room is a workplace, and physical contact exists within that frame
Disclosure: boundaries are communicated clearly and respected
Empowerment: each individual has agency in their participation
Enthusiastic Consent: if it’s not a clear yes, it is a no
Best Practices
All artists are entitled to a harassment-free, respectful working environment.
This includes:
clear communication and accountability
accessible processes for addressing concerns
shared responsibility across all members of the production
Harassment includes behaviour that is unwelcome, harmful, or creates unsafe working conditions.
Training & Professional Development
IDC Accelerator Program (40+ hours)
Intimacy Professional Summit (2025)
Foundations of Consent & Intimacy — Intimacy Directors and Coordinators
Applications of Consent & Intimacy — Intimacy Directors and Coordinators
Psychological First Aid: Caring for Others — Canadian Red Cross
Intimacy work is old, however, the field of intimacy direction and coordination is new. I have engaged with this work for over two decades as a choreographer and movement director, and I have the recent privilege of engaging with more formalized professional development.
I am in the practice of continued education and exchange
Select Intimacy Direction Credits
Man of the Year, Artistic Fraud (2026)
Popcorn Falls, Theatre CBS (2026)
There’s Nothing You Can Do, RCA Theatre Company (2025)
Paul and Linda Plan a Threesome, Endless Winter (2025)
Almost Maine, Mad as Hops Productions (2024)
Puppy Teeth (Workshop), Untellable Movement Theatre (2024)
Twelfth Night, Shakespeare by the Sea (2024)
A Winter’s Tale, Shakespeare by the Sea (2024)
Grace, Poverty Cove, Arts and Culture Centres of Newfoundland and Labrador (2024)
Rocky Horror Picture Show, TADA Events (2023)
Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare by the Sea (2023)
Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare by the Sea (2023)
High Steel, Perchance Theatre (2023)
Let’s Dance, Terra Bruce Productions (2023)
Hay Fever, Perchance Theatre (2022)
The Mirror, Persistence Theatre Company (2021)
11/11 (Workshop), David Ferry (2020)
No Change in the Weather, Terra Bruce Productions (2019)
Remnants, White Rooster (2019)
What People are Saying
“Lynn is a consummate professional. Her demeanour put the cast and creative team at ease and guided us through the process step by step - ensuring everyone in the space felt brave in their storytelling.”
-Keith Pike, Director, Let’s Dance, Terra Bruce Productions
"Lynn Panting's intimacy choreography is exceptional. Not only does she provide a safe and positive space for performers of any age, her movement and dance experience creates extraordinary intimacy work that radiates physical poetry. Her work with my production of Romeo & Juliet infused the two famous characters with life, love, and intoxication that left the audience feeling butterflies in their stomach. Lynn Panting's work is absolutely captivating and beyond compare."
-Andrew Tremblett, Director, Romeo & Juliet, Shakespeare by the Sea
“I had the pleasure of working with Lynn during the 2023 Perchance Theatre summer season. She is pedagogically well grounded and her concern for emotional safety is ever present.”
-Christa Borden, Mary Meg/Christine/Ella, High Steel, Perchance Theatre
“My first intimacy scenes as an actor were coordinated with extreme comfort and confidence as Lynn made sure my partner and I established trust and understanding, not just with each other, but with ourselves, our director, and herself as well. I felt very well cared for and appreciated the patience and collaboration process. Lynn's ability to help an actor connect movements with emotions in a vulnerable moment is an incredible resource for actors, and I hope to work with her in this capacity again to continue the learning process.”
-Sandra Mills, Beatrice, Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare by the Sea