Carly D.
Weckstein

THEATRE director, sex educator,
intimacy director, and FACILITATOR

Testimonials

“Carly is a wonderful teacher - her years of experience in sex education workshops and theatre show deeply in her approach to intimacy direction. She's able to clearly set up vocabulary within the field and relay issues of consent in a fun, informative, and interactive way. She immediately makes you feel comfortable in the room and excited about the possibilities of this growing field and how we all can bring it into our own work.”
- Ashley Steed, Theatremaker & Adjunct Lecturer USC School of Dramatic Arts

“Carly has an amazing way of working through uncomfortable material in a way that creates a professional and collaborative environment. She creates a space in which actors are able to take the time and attention needed to ensure they feel safe and empowered. She was able to create a common language for us to communicate our needs and boundaries without sterilizing the magic of finding the scene.”
- Elitia Daniels, Actor & Creator

“Carly took time to build a space of trust and security for the artists. Her attention to detail when establishing a shared vocabulary for the ensemble, the stage manager and for myself was incredibly helpful. Her eagerness to invite questions and to validate concerns or insecurities was reassuring to all that we were in great hands under her guidance.As a director who has not worked with an intimacy director previously, I approached this work with some unfamiliarity, and even a small dose of fear. Carly was able to remove shame from the equation, meet everyone where were at, and empower each individual with the tools to continue this work after she left.”
- Jonathan Muñoz-Proulx, Director of Cultural Programming, A Noise Within

“Carly Weckstien is a gift! Before I knew of Intimacy Direction as a named practice, she was already creating rooms where her actors felt safe, comfortable, and free to explore the stories we tell. I first had the pleasure of working with Carly on the world premiere of a play called Odessa, and although it wasn’t my first time simulating intimacy on stage, it was the first time I was ever directed with the care and comfort of the actors in mind. I’ve worked with Carly numerous times since then in several capacities and can confirm that whether you’re performer, an audience member, or a collaborator she works as the gold standard for professionalism, safety, and artistry. Her practice has only become more refined over the years and her capacity is limitless.”
- Bruce A. Lemon Jr., Associate Artistic Director Cornerstone Theater Company, Co-Artistic Director, Watts Village Theater Company

“I had the pleasure of working with Carly for the Red Letter Project, and it was one of the more informative artistic experiences of my adult career. There is a deftness, and attentiveness she has for her performers, and the pieces she pours herself into, that brings the hardest of works, to life. She moves with an honest understanding that makes it easy to play, and create uninhibited work.”
- A’raelle Flynn-Bolden, Actor & Creator

“Carly is a generous and thoughtful Intimacy Director with a strong understanding of how to communicate the importance of this work clearly and accessibly to actors. She was patient and collaborative, ensuring that her work served the broader goals and intentions of our production, while also offering her own unique insight.”
- Ariella Wolfe, Director

“Carly has been one of my favorite directors to work with as a designer. Collaborative, energetic, willing to try weird ideas I had, and it made for one of my favorite shows I’ve worked on. Your trust in your team is amazing, and your jump in headfirst attitudes inspired us.”
- James Ferrero, Designer & Actor 

“My scene partner and I had such a deepening after Carly’s intimacy session. Working with Carly also helped me heal a trauma that has been lodged in my body for the last 7 years, from ‘rehearsing’ an intimate scene with an actor when I was young and didn’t know how to advocate for myself.”
- Kaitlin Huwe, Actor & vSinger 

“I have had the privilege of working with Carly Weckstein for most of a year, creating and leading children who have escaped domestic violence in a program of theatre games, collaborative exercises, and artistic projects. She is a wise, enthusiastic, and carefully sensitive artist and leader and trainer of artists.”
- Mark Hein, Artistic Director Actaeon Players

“Carly Weckstein working on a project means you will have the best opportunity to be heard and have a safe space. From the moment you enter, she encourages respect, boundaries and open dialogue. This safe space offers the most comfortable place to take big chances and explore artistically. Personally, I worked on a very challenging piece for myself, with Carly, which included several sexual situations. At first, I was really scared of being pushed too far. Sensing my hesitation, Carly immediately opened a dialogue about my concerns and help me communicate my worries in a comfortable way to the director.”
- Sophie Green, Actor & Director