Movement Asexualization

Dance often uses the body in a non-sexual way to focus on the plasticity and beauty of the movement. This creates a form of "bodily democracy" where every part of the body is just as important as the rest in the process of dancing, carrying and sharing weight with other bodies. 

Consequently, certain standard intimacy protocols and guidelines for bodily contact often need to be adapted for dance. 

However, this inherent advantage does not justify or validate any form of sexual misconduct or inappropriate behavior during the artistic process.

Key Considerations for Intimacy Coordination in Dance

The Vulnerability of Nudity

Dancers are frequently expected to follow the creative vision regarding nudity without prior consultation or formal approval, often leading to a lack of genuine consent. In my experience, and from what I have heard from dancers, this is still a very common scenario in the performing arts nowadays. My intention as an IC is never to restrict creativity, but to ensure dancers' wellbeing on intimate content that they choose to participate in.

Furthermore, even when the creative vision for nudity is built upon a foundation of consent, performers always need to feel safe and cared for while being in a vulnerable state on stage. 

The Use of Internal Barriers

One of the protocols on intimacy guidelines is the use of internal and external barriers to prevent direct contact between genitals. In dance productions, we can’t use external barriers. But the dance belt already acts as an internal one allowing bodies to have intimate contact without compromising their safety. Another possibility could be to use internal barriers in dancers with vulvas as well. 

Intersection of Precarity

Since the beginning of their earliest training, dancers often internalize a system where effort and obedience are traded for external validation. Our self-worth becomes tied to our performance results and the evaluations of those in authority. While this dynamic and the culture of “not enough” exists in many aspects in the human experience, the early and rigorous nature of dance training normalizes the dependency and submission to those in power for recognition.

This vulnerability is compounded by the dance job instability and the relatively short careers, creating a complex "intersection of precarity," and leaving performers in a very compromised position when trying to establish personal boundaries or express genuine consent.

The intersection of precarity within dance further widens the gap in the dynamics of power between direction/choreographer and performers, making the presence of an intimacy coordinator even more essential, as they serve to disrupt power abuse and ensure safety in the work environment.

Revert the Spiral of Violence

All dancers have received constructive feedback and reassurance to grow as artists, but also violence in the form of comment, behavior and harassment. It’s very easy to project whatever we have suffered in the past onto the new generations, continuing the spiral of damage and cruelty. For these reasons, and because of the excellence we aspire to, the performing arts are the most conducive environment for mental health problems.

We must make a collective effort to bring consent into the center of conversation, establish boundaries using Nonviolent Communication techniques, and reflect on the impact we have when we tolerate repeated abusive behaviors.

Intimacy coordinators aspire to humanize dance and the relationships within it.