The role of intimacy coordinators has become increasingly prevalent on film, television, and theatre productions as the industry seeks to create safer working environments in the wake of cultural shifts sparked by the #MeToo movement. These professionals assist in managing scenes that involve nudity or intimate contact, ensuring actors fully understand and consent to the requirements of such scenes.

On the Sydney Theatre Royal stage, during the current production of the musical Hair, intimacy coordinator Trish Speers is overseeing the safety and consent of actors performing a full-cast nude scene, a hallmark of the show. Speers explained that society’s discomfort with the human body—stemming from a lack of exposure to birth, death, and nudity in everyday life—heightens curiosity and vulnerability. “Everybody’s always covered all the time,” she said, noting audiences’ interest in seeing others’ bodies is often tied to a desire to feel less exposed themselves.

Speers emphasized that her role is centered on consent and clarity, ensuring each performer understands and willingly agrees to what they are asked to do. She is particularly attentive to the artistic purpose behind intimate scenes, rejecting any gratuitous nudity without narrative justification. “If there is a reason for it and it’s a story and it is important to the story, then my passion and job is to help create that in the safest way possible,” she said.

The emergence of intimacy coordinators is a relatively recent development in the industry. Young actor Linden Trescott, who plays Apache in Hair, expressed surprise that such roles did not exist in the past. He described the position as necessary, given the potential for exploitation in intimate scenes, stating it provides actors with protection and support. His co-star Bailey Hayward highlighted the importance of consistent communication, praising Speers for regularly checking in with the cast to address concerns or fears.

Beyond theatre, the role has gained traction on screen, as well, with international television series featuring complex intimate scenes sparking widespread public attention. Intimacy coordinators are now becoming standard practice, reflecting a broader cultural shift toward respecting performer boundaries and fostering safer creative environments.