Intimacy Choreography in Conversation – Details, episodes & analysis

In this two-part episode of ICIC (Intimacy Choreography In Conversation), co-hosts Ann James and Carly DW Bones interview Tonia Sina, a pioneer in the field of intimacy direction. Tonia shares her profound origin story, detailing her transition from actress to intimacy director, how she arrived at the term 'intimacy choreography,' and her struggles with chronic kidney failure and a rare disease. Despite personal and professional challenges, including advocacy for actor's rights and fighting gender inequality in academia, Tonia has made significant contributions to the field. Her journey includes promoting empathy, proper choreography for intimate scenes, and fighting against abuse in the theater industry. Tonia's story is one of resilience, dedication, and the ongoing effort to better the industry for all actors.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:33 Meet Tonia Sina: Origin Story

02:38 Challenges and Breakthroughs in Academia

04:08 Pioneering Intimacy Direction

10:28 Personal Struggles and Advocacy

14:51 Controversies and Consequences

20:08 Empowering Students and Facing Backlash

26:12 Personal and Professional Turmoil

29:24 Reflection and Future Directions

Tonia Sina (she/her)

Tonia Sina is the first ever Intimacy Choreographer and created the term in her master’s thesis, Intimate Encounters: Staging Intimacy and Sensuality, at VCU in 2006. Along with teaching workshops internationally while traveling with her service dog, Daphne Rose, she has choreographed intimacy at the Chicago Lyric Opera, Stratford Festival, Steppenwolf, Marriott Theatre, the Great River Shakespeare Festival, and the Guthrie Theatre among many others. Featured in the NY Times, the LA Times, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, American Theatre Magazine, CBC Radio, Huffington Post, and hundreds of other publications and podcasts, Tonia has been researching Intimacy for the Stage and Sexual Harassment in the industry since she began research for her thesis in 2004.

Also a playwright, director, and performer, Tonia is a triple kidney transplant recipient and rare and chronic disease patient ambassador and national motivational speaker  She attended Virginia Commonwealth University where she studied movement and stage combat, and she earned her MFA in Movement Pedagogy with a specialty in Intimacy for the Stage. She was the Executive Director of Intimacy Directors International, the first non-profit intimacy direction organization.  She is currently writing a book about her life and the origins of the intimacy direction movement. Tonia is reemerging into the theatre field as a teacher and advocate after five years of severe health challenges with her now cured rare terminal illness.

Reconnecting After Four Years: Exploring Transformations in Intimacy Coordination

In this episode, the hosts reunite after a four-year hiatus to discuss the latest developments in intimacy coordination. They share personal and professional updates, revealing significant transformations in their lives, including remarkable achievements and health journeys. The discussion delves into the evolving field of intimacy coordination, addressing changes in practices, the industry's increasing acceptance, and the ongoing need for more representation and community building. They also introduce a comprehensive survey aimed at capturing a snapshot of the current state of the intimacy field, inviting listeners to contribute their experiences and insights.

00:00 Welcome Back After Four Years!

00:53 Exciting Updates and New Beginnings

02:28 Personal Transformations and Achievements

10:37 Industry Changes and New Practices

16:38 Launching the Intimacy Survey

20:39 Diving into Demographics and Identities

27:45 Embracing Transness in Storytelling

28:53 Transitioning to Professional Intimacy Work

30:35 Mentorship and Training in Intimacy Coordination

32:19 Personal Journeys and Training Backgrounds

40:10 Challenges and Community Building

42:49 Contracts and Professional Practices

45:31 The State of the Intimacy Field

55:21 Conclusion and Future Directions

Welcome to Intimacy Choreography in Conversation — a podcast that brings intimacy professionals, artists, and storytellers into dialogue about the evolving practices of intimacy choreography across film, television, and live performance. Hosted by Ann James and Carly DW Bones, each episode explores the tools, language, and politics shaping this essential field.

🎙️ About this episode:

Originally recorded as part of Season 1/2, this conversation focuses on consent-forward practices, the impact of training, and challenges in institutional settings. While it was first released in 2021, its insights continue to resonate.

✨ What you'll hear:

• Behind-the-scenes perspectives from working intimacy choreographers
• Reflections on training, advocacy, and creative collaboration
• Tools and techniques for safer and more intentional storytelling
• Honest discussion about the state and future of the field

📣 Connect with us:

• Ann James: @annjamesintimacy
• Carly DW Bones: @thespomancer
• Co-produced by: David Gonzalez (@dgonzalezmusic) and Hazel Lozano

📢 Support the show:

If you find these conversations valuable, please rate, review, and share with your community. Follow and subscribe to stay updated as we launch Season 3 — coming soon.

Welcome to Intimacy Choreography in Conversation — a podcast that brings intimacy professionals, artists, and storytellers into dialogue about the evolving practices of intimacy choreography across film, television, and live performance. Hosted by Ann James and Carly DW Bones, each episode explores the tools, language, and politics shaping this essential field.

🎙️ About this episode:

Originally recorded as part of Season 1/2, this conversation focuses on consent-forward practices, the impact of training, and challenges in institutional settings. While it was first released in 2021, its insights continue to resonate.

✨ What you'll hear:

• Behind-the-scenes perspectives from working intimacy choreographers
• Reflections on training, advocacy, and creative collaboration
• Tools and techniques for safer and more intentional storytelling
• Honest discussion about the state and future of the field

📣 Connect with us:

• Ann James: @annjamesintimacy
• Carly DW Bones: @thespomancer
• Co-produced by: David Gonzalez (@dgonzalezmusic) and Hazel Lozano

📢 Support the show:

If you find these conversations valuable, please rate, review, and share with your community. Follow and subscribe to stay updated as we launch Season 3 — coming soon.

Welcome to Intimacy Choreography in Conversation — a podcast that brings intimacy professionals, artists, and storytellers into dialogue about the evolving practices of intimacy choreography across film, television, and live performance. Hosted by Ann James and Carly DW Bones, each episode explores the tools, language, and politics shaping this essential field.

🎙️ About this episode:

Originally recorded as part of Season 1/2, this conversation focuses on consent-forward practices, the impact of training, and challenges in institutional settings. While it was first released in 2021, its insights continue to resonate.

✨ What you'll hear:

• Behind-the-scenes perspectives from working intimacy choreographers
• Reflections on training, advocacy, and creative collaboration
• Tools and techniques for safer and more intentional storytelling
• Honest discussion about the state and future of the field

📣 Connect with us:

• Ann James: @annjamesintimacy
• Carly DW Bones: @thespomancer
• Co-produced by: David Gonzalez (@dgonzalezmusic) and Hazel Lozano

📢 Support the show:

If you find these conversations valuable, please rate, review, and share with your community. Follow and subscribe to stay updated as we launch Season 3 — coming soon.

Welcome to Intimacy Choreography in Conversation — a podcast that brings intimacy professionals, artists, and storytellers into dialogue about the evolving practices of intimacy choreography across film, television, and live performance. Hosted by Ann James and Carly DW Bones, each episode explores the tools, language, and politics shaping this essential field.

🎙️ About this episode:

Originally recorded as part of Season 1/2, this conversation focuses on [insert broad theme if applicable — e.g., consent-forward practices, the impact of training, or challenges in institutional settings]. While it was first released in [insert original release year], its insights continue to resonate.

✨ What you'll hear:

• Behind-the-scenes perspectives from working intimacy choreographers
• Reflections on training, advocacy, and creative collaboration
• Tools and techniques for safer and more intentional storytelling
• Honest discussion about the state and future of the field

📣 Connect with us:

• Ann James: @annjamesintimacy
• Carly DW Bones: @thespomancer
• Co-produced by: David Gonzalez (@dgonzalezmusic) and Hazel Lozano

📢 Support the show:

If you find these conversations valuable, please rate, review, and share with your community. Follow and subscribe to stay updated as we launch Season 3 — coming soon.

Where it all began! Or, where it all continued...

On May 25, 2020, Ann James and Carly DW Bones (née Weckstein) met to speak about the field of intimacy choreography and direction for Directors Lab West and Howlround. That conversation sparked a lot of questions from the audience, which these two hosts decided to answer in podcast form. This is season one, episode one of ICIC: Intimacy Choreography in Conversation!

Welcome to Intimacy Choreography in Conversation — a podcast that brings intimacy professionals, artists, and storytellers into dialogue about the evolving practices of intimacy choreography across film, television, and live performance. Hosted by Ann James and Carly DW Bones, each episode explores the tools, language, and politics shaping this essential field.

🎙️ About this episode:

Originally recorded as part of Season 1/2, this conversation focuses on consent-forward practices, the impact of training, and challenges in institutional settings. While it was first released in 2021, its insights continue to resonate.

✨ What you'll hear:

• Behind-the-scenes perspectives from working intimacy choreographers
• Reflections on training, advocacy, and creative collaboration
• Tools and techniques for safer and more intentional storytelling
• Honest discussion about the state and future of the field

📣 Connect with us:

• Ann James: @annjamesintimacy
• Carly DW Bones: @thespomancer
• Co-produced by: David Gonzalez (@dgonzalezmusic) and Hazel Lozano

📢 Support the show:

If you find these conversations valuable, please rate, review, and share with your community. Follow and subscribe to stay updated as we launch Season 3 — coming soon.

Welcome to Intimacy Choreography in Conversation — a podcast that brings intimacy professionals, artists, and storytellers into dialogue about the evolving practices of intimacy choreography across film, television, and live performance. Hosted by Ann James and Carly DW Bones, each episode explores the tools, language, and politics shaping this essential field.

🎙️ About this episode:

Originally recorded as part of Season 1/2, this conversation focuses on consent-forward practices, the impact of training, and challenges in institutional settings. While it was first released in 2021, its insights continue to resonate.

✨ What you'll hear:

• Behind-the-scenes perspectives from working intimacy choreographers
• Reflections on training, advocacy, and creative collaboration
• Tools and techniques for safer and more intentional storytelling
• Honest discussion about the state and future of the field

📣 Connect with us:

• Ann James: @annjamesintimacy
• Carly DW Bones: @thespomancer
• Diana Wyenn: @dianawyenn
• Co-produced by: David Gonzalez (@dgonzalezmusic) and Hazel Lozano

📢 Support the show:

If you find these conversations valuable, please rate, review, and share with your community. Follow and subscribe to stay updated as we launch Season 3 — coming soon.

Welcome to Intimacy Choreography in Conversation — a podcast that brings intimacy professionals, artists, and storytellers into dialogue about the evolving practices of intimacy choreography across film, television, and live performance. Hosted by Ann James and Carly DW Bones, each episode explores the tools, language, and politics shaping this essential field.

🎙️ About this episode:

Originally recorded as part of Season 1/2, this conversation focuses on consent-forward practices, the impact of training, and challenges in institutional settings. While it was first released in 2021, its insights continue to resonate.

✨ What you'll hear:

• Behind-the-scenes perspectives from working intimacy choreographers
• Reflections on training, advocacy, and creative collaboration
• Tools and techniques for safer and more intentional storytelling
• Honest discussion about the state and future of the field

📣 Connect with us:

• Ann James: @annjamesintimacy
• Carly DW Bones: @thespomancer
• Co-produced by: David Gonzalez (@dgonzalezmusic) and Hazel Lozano

📢 Support the show:

If you find these conversations valuable, please rate, review, and share with your community. Follow and subscribe to stay updated as we launch Season 3 — coming soon.