Intimacy Direction for the Stage
Erica is passionate about consent training and intimacy for the stage. She has trained with the incredible teachers and mentors at both Intimacy Directors & Coordinators and Theatrical Intimacy Education.
Intimacy Direction
Resident Intimacy Director for the Stage, University of Iowa, 2018 - Present
BLKS by Aziza Barnes, dir. Lisa Strum | University of Iowa Mainstage 2022
String, book by Sarah Hammond, music by Adam Gwon, dir. Eric Forsythe | University of Iowa Mainstage 2022
Gwenevere by Isaiah Reaves, dir. Caroline S. Clay | University of Iowa
England’s Splendid Daughters, written and directed by Ann Kreitman | University of Iowa Directors' Festival
Letters from Cuba by María Irene Fornés, dir. Natalie Villamonte Zito
Smile Medicine by Dakota Parobek, dir. Paul Kalina | University of Iowa Mainstage 2021
Our Lady of 121st Street by Stephen Adly Guirgis, dir. Mary Beth Easley | University of Iowa Mainstage 2021
Three Sisters by Anton Chekov, adapted by Sarah Ruhl, dir. by Lila Rachel Becker | University of Iowa Mainstage 2020
Hit the Wall by Ike Holter, Associate Intimacy Director to Tonia Sina| University of Iowa Mainstage 2020
Sweat by Lynn Nottage, dir. Sarah Lacy Hamilton | University of Iowa 2019
Lateralityby Leigh M. Marshall, dir. Lila Rachel Becker | University of Iowa 2019
Really by Jackie Sibblies Drury, dir. Bries Vannon | University of Iowa 2018
REVOLT. SHE SAID. REVOLT AGAIN. by Alice Birch, dir. Lila Becker | University of Iowa 2018
Why is this Night Different? by Aja Niseson, dir. Sarah Lacy Hamilton | University of Iowa 2018
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, dir. Carol MacVey| University of Iowa 2018
Intimacy Direction
Resident Intimacy Director for the Stage, University of Iowa, 2018 - Present
BLKS by Aziza Barnes, dir. Lisa Strum | University of Iowa Mainstage 2022
String, book by Sarah Hammond, music by Adam Gwon, dir. Eric Forsythe | University of Iowa Mainstage 2022
Gwenevere by Isaiah Reaves, dir. Caroline S. Clay | University of Iowa
England’s Splendid Daughters, written and directed by Ann Kreitman | University of Iowa Directors' Festival
Letters from Cuba by María Irene Fornés, dir. Natalie Villamonte Zito
Smile Medicine by Dakota Parobek, dir. Paul Kalina | University of Iowa Mainstage 2021
Our Lady of 121st Street by Stephen Adly Guirgis, dir. Mary Beth Easley | University of Iowa Mainstage 2021
Three Sisters by Anton Chekov, adapted by Sarah Ruhl, dir. by Lila Rachel Becker | University of Iowa Mainstage 2020
Hit the Wall by Ike Holter, Associate Intimacy Director to Tonia Sina| University of Iowa Mainstage 2020
Sweat by Lynn Nottage, dir. Sarah Lacy Hamilton | University of Iowa 2019
Lateralityby Leigh M. Marshall, dir. Lila Rachel Becker | University of Iowa 2019
Really by Jackie Sibblies Drury, dir. Bries Vannon | University of Iowa 2018
REVOLT. SHE SAID. REVOLT AGAIN. by Alice Birch, dir. Lila Becker | University of Iowa 2018
Why is this Night Different? by Aja Niseson, dir. Sarah Lacy Hamilton | University of Iowa 2018
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, dir. Carol MacVey| University of Iowa 2018
Three Sisters by Anton Chekov, adapted by Sarah Ruhl, dir. Lila Rachel Becker; Hit the Wall by Ike Holter, dir. Bo Frazier
Smile Medicine by Dakota Parobek, dir. Paul Kalina
Smile Medicine by Dakota Parobek, dir. Paul Kalina
Facilitated Consent & Instructional Touch Workshops
Consent Culture and Instructional Touch, The Actors Gymnasium Faculty & Staff Retreat, 2021
One Day Introductory Workshop addressing consent culture, common definitions, and Instructional Touch to help faculty share tools and build common vocabulary around consent culture in circus spaces.
Consent and Instructional Touch in the Time of COVID-19, The Actors Gymnasium Professional Training Program, 2020
One day introductory workshop addressing definitions, brief history of the movement, consent in the time of COVID-19, Instructional Touch, Intro to the five Cs of Consensual Touch – Context, Communication, Consent, Choreography, and Closure in order to prepare students how to utilize the concept of boundaries, space to breathe, and instructional touch to safely consent to touch in circus spaces.
Intimacy for the Stage & Consent Workshop – Theatre Department, University of Iowa Graduate Student Orientation, 2018 - 2021
Designed and executed one day introductory workshop addressing the five Cs of Intimacy for the Stage – Context, Communication, Consent, Choreography, and Closure in order to prepare student population for how to work with an intimacy choreographer in rehearsals.
Intimacy for the Stage & Consent Workshop – Opera Department, University of Iowa, 2020
Designed and executed one day introductory workshop addressing the five Cs of Intimacy for the Stage – Context, Communication, Consent, Choreography, and Closure in order to prepare student population for how to work with an intimacy choreographer in rehearsals.
One Day Introductory Workshop addressing consent culture, common definitions, and Instructional Touch to help faculty share tools and build common vocabulary around consent culture in circus spaces.
Consent and Instructional Touch in the Time of COVID-19, The Actors Gymnasium Professional Training Program, 2020
One day introductory workshop addressing definitions, brief history of the movement, consent in the time of COVID-19, Instructional Touch, Intro to the five Cs of Consensual Touch – Context, Communication, Consent, Choreography, and Closure in order to prepare students how to utilize the concept of boundaries, space to breathe, and instructional touch to safely consent to touch in circus spaces.
Intimacy for the Stage & Consent Workshop – Theatre Department, University of Iowa Graduate Student Orientation, 2018 - 2021
Designed and executed one day introductory workshop addressing the five Cs of Intimacy for the Stage – Context, Communication, Consent, Choreography, and Closure in order to prepare student population for how to work with an intimacy choreographer in rehearsals.
Intimacy for the Stage & Consent Workshop – Opera Department, University of Iowa, 2020
Designed and executed one day introductory workshop addressing the five Cs of Intimacy for the Stage – Context, Communication, Consent, Choreography, and Closure in order to prepare student population for how to work with an intimacy choreographer in rehearsals.
Intimacy for the Stage Training
TIE Best Practices, 6 Hour Training in TIE Best Practices, Virtual Class 2020
Associate Intimacy Director Training under Tonia Sina on Ike Holter’s Hit the Wall, University of Iowa 2020
Intimacy Director Observation, Tom Ringberg Intimacy Director for The Servant of Two Masters and Macbeth, Great River Shakespeare Festival 2019
Company Wide Consent Workshops and Actor Apprentice Consent Workshop Assistant, Great River Shakespeare Festival 2019
3-Day Intimacy For The Stage Workshop with Tonia Sina & Claire Warden, Intimacy Directors & Coordinators, Bethesda, MD 2019
3- Day Intimacy for the Stage Workshop hosted by Intimacy Directors International & University of Illinois Department of Theatre 2018
1-Day Intimacy for Stage Workshop and Q&A Session with Tonia Sina at the University of Iowa 2018
Associate Intimacy Director Training under Tonia Sina on Ike Holter’s Hit the Wall, University of Iowa 2020
Intimacy Director Observation, Tom Ringberg Intimacy Director for The Servant of Two Masters and Macbeth, Great River Shakespeare Festival 2019
Company Wide Consent Workshops and Actor Apprentice Consent Workshop Assistant, Great River Shakespeare Festival 2019
3-Day Intimacy For The Stage Workshop with Tonia Sina & Claire Warden, Intimacy Directors & Coordinators, Bethesda, MD 2019
3- Day Intimacy for the Stage Workshop hosted by Intimacy Directors International & University of Illinois Department of Theatre 2018
1-Day Intimacy for Stage Workshop and Q&A Session with Tonia Sina at the University of Iowa 2018
String by Sarah Hammond, music by Adam Gwon, dir. Eric Forsythe. Laterality by Leigh M. Marshall, dir. Lila Rachel Becker;
Letters from Cuba by Maria Irene Fornes, dir.
Letters from Cuba by Maria Irene Fornes, dir.
Testimonials
"It has been a pleasure to experience her work first hand and to witness artists, who have spent their careers working without these tools and who are resistant to change, gain an understanding of the process and embrace the training under Erica’s guidance. This is a testament to her capability as an educator, and the warmth of her personality. Being a director, (and a very talented one at that), she is deeply sensitive to other director’s processes and is able to listen to their needs, and support their vision through her work. She is adaptable and can move through many different styles of theatrical production, which is a great asset for an Intimacy Director. Erica also works extremely well with actors, and is able to easily gain their trust."
- Mary Beth Easely, DEO and Head of Directing, University of Iowa
"I cannot speak highly enough of how she has engaged with our students and directors, guiding them through the process, keeping people safe and still honoring the work of our directors and playwrights. By Erica playing this key role in the department, on top of all her other responsibilities as an MFA director, she has educated our community about the importance of the work of an intimacy director and been a true ambassador for the changes we are implementing. For the past two years Erica and I hosted a session at the beginning of the school year for our students that introduces them to the role of an intimacy director, the department intimacy policy, and we give them the basic understanding of consent, which informs all of the work. Our students and our department have been made much better by having Erica as a member and a leader and I am incredibly thankful to have her as a partner on this journey."
-Melissa Turner, Production Stage Management, University of Iowa
“Working with Erica was a dream. She understood my vision for the scenes clearly and crafted moments of intimacy that supported the story and character work that we had established in the room. She is a clear communicator and told me exactly what she needed from me early on. She works as well with young actors as with veterans, and her warm and professional presence in the room set the whole team at ease with very challenging material.”
-Lila Rachel Becker, Director
"Working with Erica is always a wonderful experience, especially when she is in the role of intimacy choreographer. Erica choreographed intimacy for a production I directed of a brand new play, written by a student, in which undergraduate and graduate student actors performed. Before Erica came into rehearsal, we worked together closely to understand the dramaturgy of the intimate scenes, and made a specific plan for moving forward. When she was in rehearsal, Erica brought ease and playfulness to the room, and masterfully navigated all concerns that arose. She made the actors more comfortable and confident, and collaborated closely with them to create safe choreography that felt natural. This strengthened the actors' performances, and allowed me to focus on what I do best, directing. I highly recommend working with Erica, and know I will collaborate with her again soon!"
- Sarah Lacy Hamilton, Director
- Mary Beth Easely, DEO and Head of Directing, University of Iowa
"I cannot speak highly enough of how she has engaged with our students and directors, guiding them through the process, keeping people safe and still honoring the work of our directors and playwrights. By Erica playing this key role in the department, on top of all her other responsibilities as an MFA director, she has educated our community about the importance of the work of an intimacy director and been a true ambassador for the changes we are implementing. For the past two years Erica and I hosted a session at the beginning of the school year for our students that introduces them to the role of an intimacy director, the department intimacy policy, and we give them the basic understanding of consent, which informs all of the work. Our students and our department have been made much better by having Erica as a member and a leader and I am incredibly thankful to have her as a partner on this journey."
-Melissa Turner, Production Stage Management, University of Iowa
“Working with Erica was a dream. She understood my vision for the scenes clearly and crafted moments of intimacy that supported the story and character work that we had established in the room. She is a clear communicator and told me exactly what she needed from me early on. She works as well with young actors as with veterans, and her warm and professional presence in the room set the whole team at ease with very challenging material.”
-Lila Rachel Becker, Director
"Working with Erica is always a wonderful experience, especially when she is in the role of intimacy choreographer. Erica choreographed intimacy for a production I directed of a brand new play, written by a student, in which undergraduate and graduate student actors performed. Before Erica came into rehearsal, we worked together closely to understand the dramaturgy of the intimate scenes, and made a specific plan for moving forward. When she was in rehearsal, Erica brought ease and playfulness to the room, and masterfully navigated all concerns that arose. She made the actors more comfortable and confident, and collaborated closely with them to create safe choreography that felt natural. This strengthened the actors' performances, and allowed me to focus on what I do best, directing. I highly recommend working with Erica, and know I will collaborate with her again soon!"
- Sarah Lacy Hamilton, Director