'There's consent each and every day': A look back at Intimacy Coordinator Ita O'Brien's take on the Royal Opera House

"There's consent each and every day. You explore what the moment is about, different ways to tell the same story," said Ita O’Brien, an intimacy coordinator famed for ensuring actors feel at ease during intense scenes. A year ago, the Royal Opera House (ROH) in Britain sought O'Brien's expertise for Katie Mitchell’s production of Theodora, a groundbreaking production, as reported by The Guardian.

Reimagining Intimacy in Opera

Although opera has long been a crucible of unbridled passion, it is only recently that the critical concepts of consent and agency have emerged in its sphere. O'Brien's performance in Handel's Theodora, which depicts the horrible ordeal of a Christian martyr at the hands of Roman authorities, was a watershed event.

Julia Bullock, a soprano who portrayed the titular role, expressed relief over this proactive approach. "I’ve been in so many rehearsal spaces where usually it’s the performers who are making complaints about scenes, but to have that preemptively addressed was such a relief," she confessed.

O'Brien's guidance not only aimed to ensure actors' comfort during intimate scenes but also attempted to instill a culture of consent within the opera industry. Previously, performers were often left to their own devices to choreograph intimate scenes, a situation that occasionally exposed them to unnecessary physical and psychological risks.

The Power of Consent and Collaboration

Bullock cited her previous experiences to highlight the transforming influence of O'Brien's approach. "You go step by step over parts of the body that may be exposed or are going to be subjected to intimate touch, allowing your body to register if there's anything hypersensitive, or if there's a place where you might potentially be triggered." The sense of safety and respect that underpins these open dialogues and investigations cannot be overstated.

In the post-Harvey Weinstein era, intimacy coordinators have become an essential part of film and TV productions. However, O'Brien’s involvement in the opera industry was a trailblazing initiative. Given that live shows are enacted in front of thousands of people on a recurring basis, the task demanded a much larger scale of commitment to consent and actor comfort.

"Opera was the most heightened art form," said O'Brien, acknowledging the learning curve in opera due to the special considerations required not to interfere with performers' sound.

As O'Brien revolutionized the industry’s approach to staging intimate scenes, the ROH pledged its commitment to making intimacy direction an integral part of future productions. This marked a significant stride in handling sensitive themes with care and respect, promising a safer and more supportive environment for artists and creatives.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)