05/19/2026
Consensual Crafting: An Introduction to Staged Intimacy Practices
Presented by Alexis Black
This engaging and practical 90-minute workshop introduces community theatre artists to the fundamentals of staged intimacy in a supportive environment focused on telling stories involving physical closeness safely, respectfully, and effectively.
Participants will explore key vocabulary, industry-standard intimacy protocols, and consent-based practices, including communication around moments of touch, pre-production considerations, boundary checks, and tools for self-advocacy and collaboration.
The workshop concludes with an open Q&A for reflection and real-world application. While no touch is required and observation is always welcome, participants may choose to engage in a simple connection exercise, such as a handshake, for practical application.
Saturday, June 20
4-5:30pm
https://hudsonplayers.ludus.com/index.php?show_id=200530278
Information on the Presenter:
Alexis is a Midwest-based Intimacy Director, Fight Director, Director, and Movement Specialist dedicated to consent, equity, and safety in performance spaces. Her work spans regional theatre, New York City, Europe, and Asia, and she is certified in Michael Chekhov Physical Acting and the Margolis Method, with additional expertise in viewpoints, mask work, and contact improvisation.
Her intimacy and fight direction credits include Birmingham Children’s Theatre, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Shakespeare Theatre Company, and Broadway’s Fool for Love and Macbeth.
Alexis holds an MFA in Movement Pedagogy from Virginia Commonwealth University and is an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, where she teaches Movement, Acting, and Stage Combat while helping implement consent and safety protocols. She also teaches certification courses with IDC and is a member of SDC, ATME, and AEA.