Hey folks, I’m a 28 year old woman looking for some advice about a career change I’m considering.
I want to work as an Intimacy Coordinator for movies and theater or perhaps as an Emotional Safety Consultant in creative fields. I’m based in NYC and hold degrees in film production. I’ve been involved in various creative roles for quite some time now.
People often tell me I’m good at making others feel comfortable and secure, especially in vulnerable situations. Friends and colleagues approach me when they need assistance with tough conversations or when they face consent-related challenges in their projects.
I believe I’d excel in this type of work because I’m sensitive to people’s emotional states and I understand trauma responses. Additionally, I have a background in performance and I’m passionate about ensuring everyone feels acknowledged and valued.
My main concern is whether this career path can actually support me financially in NYC. Are there enough productions out there looking to hire intimacy coordinators to justify pursuing this profession?
I’m also curious about certain training programs. I’ve heard about IDC certification and several other courses, but I’m not sure which ones are truly beneficial. Has anyone here experienced these programs or know others who have?
I’m particularly drawn to working in experimental theater and unique performance environments, rather than just mainstream film. Is there a market for this type of specialized role?
lol good luck paying rent doing this full-time right away. NYC has some work, but most productions still treat intimacy coordinators like optional extras. You’ll end up doing $50 student films while calling it “portfolio building” as your bank account empties. If you’re set on this, start teaching workshops at acting studios immediately - that’s where you’ll actually make consistent money. Experimental theater loves this stuff but pays in exposure and good vibes.
It’s all about diversification. The successful intimacy coordinators I know don’t just do theater and film - they’re also doing corporate consulting, teaching at acting schools, and private coaching. SAG-AFTRA productions pay $300-500 per day, but work’s pretty sporadic. Your film production background is actually a huge plus since you already get how sets work. For training, IDC is the gold standard, though Theatrical Intimacy Education has a solid rep too. Here’s something interesting - NYC’s experimental theater scene is way more progressive about hiring coordinators than mainstream stuff. Places like Performance Space New York actively look for these services. I’d start volunteering with smaller theaters now to build your portfolio and get those relationships going.
Financial viability really comes down to building a diverse practice - don’t just rely on production work. Most people don’t know that intimacy coordination has spread way beyond entertainment into corporate training, schools, and therapy practices that need specialized consultants. Your film production background gives you a huge advantage since you already get the creative and logistical headaches productions deal with.
For certification, IDC has solid industry recognition, but think about what you actually want to do. Some coordinators do well mixing formal certification with workshops from groups like Consent-Based Intimacy or diving into somatic trauma-informed approaches. The experimental theater crowd you’re after often cares more about how deep you understand the work than specific credentials.
Here’s something worth trying: build connections with film schools like NYU or Columbia. Student productions need intimacy coordinators more and more, and while the pay isn’t huge, it’s steady income that builds your rep. Successful coordinators also branch out into creating educational content, writing, or helping production companies write their internal policies. Think of intimacy coordination as part of a bigger practice around creative safety and consent education.
I know someone who made this switch about three years ago! She got IDC certified and now stays booked solid, though she had to grind hard at first. Networking at indie theaters was huge for her - The Brick and Dixon Place were surprisingly open to having safety coordinators even on small productions. She also does workshop facilitation on the side, which you should definitely consider. NYC has the demand, but you’ll need another income stream while you build your client base. The experimental theater angle is smart - those communities really get the value of this work.
I’ve been thinking about this path too! Most coordinators I know teach at acting schools on the side - Stella Adler and Atlantic are adding intimacy training to their programs now. There’s a solid video that breaks down the whole field if you want to check it out:
Your trauma background is perfect for this work. Don’t write off experimental theater - coordinators can pull $150-200/day even at smaller venues.
