Intimacy in Theatrical Violence (18+)

Applicants must be 18 years and over.

This course is for working theatre professionals, who wish to learn best practice when approaching scenes containing violence in a trauma-informed and consent-forward way.

Additional Note: This course includes discussions around themes of violence (including sexual, racial, combat, self harm, gendered, etc), intimacy, and combat. This course and its instructor will endeavour to approach the sensitive topics discussed with all due care.

The content of this two day course will include slides, visual simulated depictions of staged combat and violence (both photo and pre-recorded video formats), and written depictions of violence and harm. If you require additional support, or have any questions, in advance of applying, these should be sent to shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk

Course Materials

A short scene excerpt from “Mercedes’ Microaggressions” to be read and analysed from your personal arts-worker position (Director, Actor, etc) for day two of this course.

Non-Graded

Working Online
You will need access to a device such as a desktop computer, laptop or tablet which allows you to access the internet with a screen large enough to see the group members and slides during online sessions. You will need internet connection which is fast enough to take part in video sessions on Zoom.

You may also want to consider whether you have a space you can use where you can work without interruption. Please keep in mind that the other students taking part in the course will be able to see what’s behind you when you are online, a blur filter is recommended but not mandatory.

Before applying all applicants should ensure that they have:

● Computer or tablet with ability to access Zoom, with webcam and microphone capability;
● Internet Access;

Any course specific preparation will be sent to applicants ahead of
the course start date via email.

Day One

The first day is a lecture style class, intended to provide a general foundation of knowledge of intimacy and consent-based practices, creating a definition of ‘Violence’ within the context of the Theatre and Stage Combat, and the importance of communication in collaboration around scenes of violence.

Consent forward, and trauma informed approaches will be presented, and tools that anyone within the theatre community can access will be offered. There will be online accessible games to help students identify consent concepts, a slide presentation with scene breakdowns and videos, as well as space for open discussion and conversation.

Day Two

An in-depth dive into further breaking down the topic of violence in theatre, this will refresh the basic concepts learned on day 1, and provide break-out rooms for analysis and discussion around “Mercedes’ Microaggressions” provided prior to day one. This will lead into a secondary slide show with additional contextual videos which describe varying levels of choreographic and ‘violence’ interpretation, as well as touch on fight and intimacy best practices within a scene example from a Shakespearean play (TBD) to provide additional context. Describing what to do if something goes wrong, and how to recover from those situations if they occur.

At the end of Day Two a longer form question and discussion period will be made available.

Mercedes Davy

Mercedes Davy (She/They) is a Canadian Fight and Certified Intimacy Director. She is the founder of The Gentle Blade (Fight and Intimacy Direction), and is a 2025 THEA Award winning recipient for her work on
Scarborough Theatre’s Les Liaisons Dangereuses.

Mercedes has trained internationally and received her full Intimacy Director Certification with the IDC (Intimacy Directors and Coordinators), T.I.E. (Theatrical Intimacy Education), and has worked with the New Zealand Stunt School, Rapier Wit, and more. She’s a graduate of Randolph College for the Performing Arts (2019), and is actively pursuing her Master of Fine Arts in Arts Leadership and Fundraising through the Royal Conservatory of Scotland. (2027-Graudate hopeful) Some recent ID/FD Theatre credits include: Macbeth (RCS), Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Scarborough Players), 291 (Peterborough Theatre Guild), and Peter Pan the British Musical (Mansfield Productions).

Mercedes wants to acknowledge the land on which The Gentle Blade operates. For thousands of years, it has been the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples, and is now home to many First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. We are grateful for the opportunity to create and work on this land, and share knowledge from this space.