Intimacy Direction
Lisa is a certified Intimacy Director with the SAG-AFTRA accredited training program, IDC Professionals. Dedicated to cultivating safe creative spaces that are built on trust she believes clear, honest communication is the key to enabling bolder staging of intimacy in a production.
Establishing clear consent protocols and more considered staging of intimacy ensures all participants feel confident and paves the way for brave choices in artistic expression.
Lisa combines her technical expertise and critical eye with joy and grace to collaboratively create engaging intimate physical storytelling tailored to the specific needs of each project.
She has served as the Intimacy Director for Measure for Measure (A.C.T. OUT Tour & Shakespeare Society for America), Stop Kiss (Prospect Theater Project), Young Frankenstein (West Side Theatre), Guys and Dolls (Throckmorton Theater), and commercial photo shoots (New Work Agency). Lisa also teaches Consent-Forward Practices workshops in the SF Bay and Central Valley areas.
Lisa has an extensive knowledge in and practice with Action Theater, kinesiology, Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analysis, contact improvisation, and somatic modalities. She holds a BA in Theater from UOP and an MFA in Choreography/Performance from CalArts. She is also certified in mental health first aid and has on-going training in anti-racism, anti-harassment, gender expansive practices, allyship and advocacy, and bystander intervention.
My goals in approaching a project:
1. Thoroughly understanding the artistic vision of a project and the context of the work,
2. Being a responsible advocate for actors (and the director and crew!)
3. Facilitating clear & effective communication between all departments
4. Fostering a positive and engaging work environment. Inviting joy and humor into the room,
5. Building an environment based on trust for daring collaborations and compelling physical storytelling.
My job is to assist actors in handling sensitive moments and vulnerable scenes, fostering authentic connections between characters while respecting the needs of everyone involved. Recognizing the potential emotional impact of performing intimate scenes, I help develop practical strategies (as needed) to foster a supportive atmosphere and ensure sustainability throughout the production. Together, we create a framework for creating intimate physical touch, honoring personal boundaries while supporting exploration and flexibility within this defined container.
Intimacy Coordination
My goals are to align with the projects vision, be a responsible advocate for actors, cultivate a positive and respectful environment while bridging communication across departments and fostering trust for daring collaborative and compelling physical story telling.
I assist on all scenes involving physical intimacy, nudity and/or simulated sex. My job is to facilitate bringing the director's vision to life and supporting the storytelling while equally honoring the consent levels, artistry and creative capacity of the actors.
I make certain everyone involved is clear on the expectations of a scene, feels confident and heard, ensuring a respectful balance between personal boundaries and artistic freedom.
Recently Lisa was the intimacy coordinator for Atonement, an upcoming feature film staring Kenneth Brannagh, Hiam Abbass, and Boyd Hollbrook.
Directed by Oscar nominated Reed Van Dyk and produced by the Oscar nominated team behind Star Thrower Entertainment.
Atonement will premiere at Cannes, Director's Fortnight 2026.
