Intimacy Coordinator Rayann Condy Enhances Safety for Actors

The role of intimacy coordinators has become increasingly vital within the film and theatre industries, particularly in ensuring that actors feel safe during intimate scenes. In Singapore, Rayann Condy, a theatre veteran and the only certified intimacy professional in the region, is leading this charge to create a secure environment for performers. Her work involves guiding actors through complex physical interactions, from kissing to simulated sex, helping them navigate the emotional landscape of on-screen intimacy.

A native of Australia, Condy moved to Singapore in 2005 to pursue a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Acting at LASALLE College of the Arts. Since receiving her certification from Intimacy Directors and Coordinators in 2023, she has dedicated herself to improving the standards of intimacy on set. This organization is recognized by SAG-AFTRA, the United States labor union for media professionals, and sets the benchmark for training intimacy professionals worldwide.

The path to becoming a certified intimacy professional is comprehensive, comprising five phases that include online modules, workshops, and mentorship. Condy emphasizes the importance of safety and consent, which are critical components of her role. She aims to support actors in articulating their boundaries, ensuring that they engage in intimate scenes with clarity and confidence.

Creating Safe Spaces on Set

For Condy, the term “intimacy coordinator” denotes not just a job but a commitment to fostering a culture of respect and safety in the entertainment industry. Reflecting on her experiences as a young actor, she recalls a particularly uncomfortable incident during a stage production in Australia. With limited guidance on intimacy, she faced a situation where boundaries were neither discussed nor respected. As a result, she felt vulnerable and unsure when performing intimate scenes.

“Nobody had had that conversation because the ideology of actor training was very much: ‘You must say yes to everything,'” Condy explained. This lack of dialogue around personal limits contributed to a culture where performers often felt pressured to compromise their comfort for the sake of the craft.

Now, as an educator and intimacy professional, Condy is determined to change that narrative. She teaches acting at LASALLE, incorporating intimacy skills into her curriculum. This approach equips students with the vocabulary to discuss boundaries with their scene partners, creating an environment where they can express their fears and preferences without fear of repercussion.

Breaking Down Barriers to Consent

“The storytelling gets lost when the actors are busy thinking, ‘God, what do I do?’, rather than about the story,”

Condy asserts. This insight underscores her mission to ensure that performers can focus on their craft without being preoccupied by discomfort or uncertainty. She works closely with actors and directors to clarify the intentions behind intimate scenes, facilitating discussions that allow for adjustments based on individual comfort levels.

In her role, Condy encourages actors to be precise about their limits. Some may consent to kissing but not to more intimate interactions, while others may prefer to wear coverage such as nipple tape or a stick-on bra during nudity. These conversations take place away from the pressures of the set, allowing actors to communicate freely about their boundaries.

Despite the progress made in the industry, misconceptions about the role of intimacy professionals persist. Some prominent actors, including Jennifer Lawrence and Gwyneth Paltrow, have voiced concerns that intimacy coordinators might limit creativity. Condy contends that safety and creative freedom can coexist, stating, “Ultimately, one of the things that people don’t realise with hiring an intimacy or care professional is that it actually sets the tone for the whole production.”

As the industry continues to evolve, Condy has worked on over 20 productions across Singapore and Southeast Asia, including Wild Rice’s “The Serangoon Gardens Techno Party Of 1993” and Singapore Repertory Theatre’s “Shakespeare In The Park: Macbeth.” Her experience highlights the need for intimacy coordinators in a variety of contexts, including scenes that may not involve sexual intimacy but still require a careful approach to physical contact.

As more productions recognize the value of intimacy work, Condy remains committed to fostering an understanding of the broader implications of intimacy on stage and screen. Her efforts not only prioritize the safety of actors but also contribute to a more respectful industry culture, one where boundaries are acknowledged and respected.