Profile
Training
2023, Theatrical Intimacy Education: Best Practices | Intimacy for Film & TV | Staging Intercourse
2022, IDC Foundations of Intimacy: Levels 1 & 2
2021-2022, The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, MA Movement: Directing and Teaching
2019, Polestar Pilates, studio training (on Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair & Barrels)
2014 - 2015, STOTT Pilates, Mat and Reformer certification
2010 - 2013, University of Exeter, BA (Hons) in English Literature
2008 - 2010, The ArtsEducational School, A Levels
Experience
As an Intimacy Director & Coordinator
2023, Intimacy Coordinator, Goodbye Mama. Short film directed by Mykea Perry (National Film & Television School, London)
2023, Intimacy Coordinator, Bittersweet. Short Film directed by Chloe Ali (Metropolitan Film School, Leeds)
2023, Intimacy Director, R&D for I Love Sex / You Love Sex (Powerhouse Productions in collaboration with London Performance Studios)
2023, Intimacy Director, DREAM SCHOOL. Director Charlotte Everest with Mrs C’s Collective and Space Productions at The Space Theatre. Part of A Call For Safe Practice, a long-term ambition in partnership with University of Greenwich and Arts Council England to provide accredited guidance and training on how to make trauma-informed art safely.
2023, Intimacy Coordinator, GOBSTOPPER. Short film directed by Jo Lane (produced by Idle Work Factory)
2023, Intimacy Coordinator, Mirrors. Feature film directed by Michael Brando (Brando Pictures)
2023, Intimacy Coordinator, Time Won’t Heal. Short film directed by Sychelle-Kristina Yanda (YCT Productions)
2022, Intimacy Coordinator, Trespassers. Short film directed by Isla Jackson-Ritchie (Beneath The Shade Productions)
2022, Intimacy Support, Tar. Feature film directed by Todd Field (Bardot Productions)
2022, Intimacy Director, Yaga. Director Kay Brattan with Little Lion Theatre Company at The Drayton Arms Theatre
As a Movement Teacher & Director
2023, Movement Consultant, Treading Water, Hypok Theatre (for Vaults Festival 2023)
2022, Associate Movement Lecturer, Performers College Birmingham
2014 to present, managing studios and teaching Pilates across Greater Manchester in a range of settings including tailored 1:1, groups and corporate (clients include Lululemon, NICE and BBC)
Whilst on the MA Movement: Directing and Teaching
2022, Movement Director, East 15 MA Acting graduate production Curs, directed by Louise Amos (placement)
2022, Observed Animal Studies classes with BA CDT students at RCSSD, taught by Ally Cologna (placement)
2022, Movement Teacher, University of West London: teaching BA Acting students, level 5 (placement)
2022, Creative Partner, Access All Areas: offering access support and collaboration for learning disabled and autistic actors through their two year diploma (volunteer role)
2022, Weekly conditioning class, teaching MA Music Theatre students at RCSSD, mentored by Ana Meireles (placement).
Biography
Abi is a Manchester-based Movement Director and Teacher. Her approach is underpinned by her understanding of anatomy and function (developed through her Pilates teaching practice), and her sensitive use of language and image. Abi is warm and approachable with a keen eye for detail. She aims to help the performer tune into the nuances of their unique physicality to better understand their habits and instincts, whilst sparking and celebrating movement joy.
The MA Movement: Directing and Teaching course at Central has been a unique opportunity for Abi to delve into her movement heritage and begin to contextualise her previous experience within the landscape of performance. Her current research interrogates how intimacy direction might continue to develop as a specialist choreographic field in the future.
