INTIMACY
Laura and teaching assistant Elaine Brown demonstrating boundary practice in an Intimacy class at Columbia College Chicago. Students Zoe Buda and Emma Close looking on. Photo by Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere of the Chicago Sun Times.
WBEZ article on Intimacy - 4-15-23 By Stefano Esposito | Chicago Sun-Times featuring comments from Laura about her Intimacy workshop class
Columbia Chronicle article on Columbia's Graduate Certificate in Intimacy for Stage and Screen Program 2/7/23 By Olivia Cohen, featuring comments from Laura about her Intimacy workshop class
Kris Downing as Frank and Alys Dickerson as Tilly in Organic Theater Ensemble’s production of Melancholy Play directed by Laura Sturm
Martha Hansen as Bailey and Judi Schindler at Cora in SEVEN DAYS AT SEA.
“One of the more notable scenes occurs when Cora entices Bailey to share her bed. This intimate scene is very well done, thanks in part to intimacy coach Laura Sturm, who has also supervised other close contact among actors within the show.” Julia W. Rath, Around the Town Chicago, May 2022
Ashley Oviedo as Ann and Logan Milway as Jamie in the constructivist’s Babel
intimacy CLASSES, choreography/CONSULTING
INTIMACY CLASSES TAUGHT
Tools and Techniques of Intimacy (Graduate Intimacy Certificate Program) at Columbia College Chicago - Fall 2023
Intimacy and Physical Acting Workshop at Columbia College Chicago - taught J-term 2023, Spring 2023
PROFESSIONAL INTIMACY WORK TO DATE
A CAPPOCALYPSE! OR OCONOMOCAPELLA’S A CAPELLA PRACTICE HAS BEEN CANCELED, the constructivists, Milwaukee, Spring 2024 (currently)
PROOF, Bluebird Arts, Chicago, Spring 2024 (currently)
A VERY DEADLY CONSTRUCTIVISTS HOLIDAY, the constructivists, Milwaukee, Fall 2023
I’M GONNA PRAY FOR YOU SO HARD, by Halley Feiffer, the constructivists, Milwaukee, Spring 2022
THE TOTALITARIANS, by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, the constructivists, Milwaukee, Fall 2022
SEVEN DAYS AT SEA, by Martha Hansen, Light and Sound Productions, the Edge Theatre, Chicago, Spring 2022
BABEL, by Jacqueline Goldfinger, the constructivists, Milwaukee, Spring 2022
BLESSING, New One Act Musical, Columbia College Chicago, Fall 2021
WINK, by Jen Silverman, the constructivists, Milwaukee, Fall 2021
I continue to increase my skills in this new field by continuing to take new classes with the experts, while I work in the industry. I am using my extensive teaching, movement and directing work to supplement the new techniques I have learned to build up my experience in Intimacy work. I would love to work with your show/company/class to create a workspace that is consent-based and a supportive and empowering space for both actors and all team members.
Here are the classes I have taken so far:
with Theatrical Intimacy Education (TIE):
Actors and Intimacy - Laura Rikard, Emilie Rollie
Polyamory, Non-Monogamy and Playing in Groups - Chelsea Pace, Raja Benz, Dr. Joy Fairfield
Staging Intimacy Beyond the Binary - Raja Benz, Dr. Joy Brooke Fairfield, Leo Mock
Working with Trans and Non-Binary Artists - Raja Benz, Dr. Joy Brooke Fairfield, Leo Mock
Nonconsensual Sex - Chelsea Pace
Live Weekend Workshop in Chicago - Laura Rikard
Staging Sex: Intercourse - Chelsea Pace
Staging Sex: Outercourse - Chelsea Pace
Staging Sex: Power Play - Chelsea Pace
Foundations in Race, Intimacy and Consent - Kaja Dunn
Casting Refresher - Chelsea Pace
Modesty Garments, Barriers and Masking Refresher - Chelsea Pace
Intimacy Choreography – Laura Rikard
Intimacy Coordination – Chelsea Pace
Trauma-Informed Practices – Chelsea Pace
Working with Minors – Kim Shively
Theatrical Studio Techniques – Chelsea Pace
Consent in the Acting Classroom – Laura Rikard
Full Faculty Basics – Chelsea Pace
Studio Specifics – Chelsea Pace
with Intimacy Directors & Coordinators (IDC):
Intimate Stage Directions & Embodiment - Bess Rowan
Lean Forward: Intimacy Choreography Analysis - Francesca Betancourt
Foundations of Intimacy, Level 2
Foundations of Intimacy, Level 1
Trauma-Informed Practices for Facilitators, Advocates, and Instructors - Mae Early & Candy Gonzales
Supporting Transgender and Non-Binary Artists - Maybe Burke
Consent in Academia – Judi Lewis Ockler & Renee Redding-Jones – 6 week course
Intimacy Direction in Collaboration (For Directors, Stage Managers, Producers and Choreographers) – Sarah Scanlon & Gaby Labotka (Chicago Inclusion Project) - Live evening workshop
Also: I am certified in Mental Health First Aid and have taken Stand Up to Street Harassment and Bystander Prevention. I am also working diligently to overcome my own socialized biases and have done a lot of studying and trying to center anti-racist and consent based practices in my work and my life.
Questions about Intimacy? Here’s a great article: Chicago Reader - Intimacy Directors Are More Important Than Ever