The Theatre School (TTS) is working to develop a Certificate in Theatrical Intimacy (CTI) to train Intimacy Directors and Coordinators to work in theatre, film, and television in the United States and beyond. Classes may include best practices, consent, mental health awareness, discussion facilitation and conflict resolution, anti-racist and other anti-oppressive facilitation methods, movement analysis, choreographic techniques, process methodologies, text analysis, collaboration, professional organization membership preparation, and contract negotiation.

There is a strong market for this program as demand for intimacy professionals continues to increase across the world. The larger cultural shift of the #MeToo movement has greatly contributed to this context shift in the arts, and recent social justice movements have started conversations in how artistic institutions can equitably serve BIPOC artists. At this time, to our knowledge, there are no intimacy training programs provided by Universities, though there are a few independent training programs in the US and UK. This AGIF grant has allowed TTS to create a comprehensive profile of what current training entails, as well as begin the process of outlining the ideal DePaul program.

In addition to serving as an Assistant Professor of Movement for Actors at The Theatre School, Kristina Fluty maintains an active presence as a dancer/choreographer/educator/consultant in Chicago. Her main creative home since 2003 is Molly Shanahan/Mad Shak, where she has been part of developing more than a dozen evening-length world premieres of dance pieces with the Company.

Ms. Fluty holds a Masters in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling, a graduate certificate in Laban Movement Analysis, and is a registered Movement Pattern Analyst, all of which contribute to her deep knowledge base that she uses (in addition to her expertise as a theatre artist) to develop methodologies, techniques, and protocols for intimacy facilitation.

In addition to her role as an intimacy facilitator in many productions at The Theatre School, Ms. Fluty has worked at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Victory Gardens Theater, TimeLine Theatre Company, Remy Bumppo Theatre (in Chicago), and Center Theatre Group (LA). She has not only choreographed and directed creative processes, but has also provided consultation on best practices around theatrical intimacy for theater company administration, designers, and technical crews.