The world is full of injustices, racism, and discrimination. While keeping political differences aside, the opportunities given to communities widely differ because of their race, gender, and color. While the entertainment realm has been evolving, it still has much to cover on the topic of intimacy coordination and direction.
Ann James has vowed to change the norms and build a safe and educated generation of actors and actresses who are comfortable in their working environments and are free to tell their stories to the world. Most of the time, actors need help dealing with provocative scenes and situations which directors impose on them. Some people are trained in the art of theatrical intimacy and guide the actors with their knowledge. When Ann entered the industry, she discovered that such help was only available for predominantly white people, and there were little to no intimate directors for people of color.
She then set out to bring about change in the entertainment world. She educated herself in intimacy and built her own company, Intimacy Coordinators of Color. Ann built this company to empower people of color to enter the intimacy business and make a name for themselves. Ann has always been inclined towards teaching, so this was her opportunity to do the two things she loves, teaching and uplifting best practices in the Performing Arts.
She gives all the credit for her art education and love for performing arts to her mother. Ann and her family were always on the move because of her father’s military job. Still, her mother always found theater plays, operas, or ballet classes nearby and encouraged Ann to participate. With her mother’s encouragement, Ann became a beautiful director and performing artist.
Ann also loved to teach and was given a teaching opportunity at her university, Sam Houston State University. Both of her parents are retired teachers and even a grandparent on her father’s side was an educator, so it was safe to say that teaching and artistry were in Ann’s blood and she couldn’t live without both in her life.
With 30+ years of expertise and devotion to the art of performing, she has successfully worked with people like Will Ferrell, Cynthia Enrivo, Issa Rae, Rashida Jones, Ben Pratt, and Mark Wahlberg. Slowly but surely, she breaks every taboo and obstacle to make her way to the top. She is a role model for people of color and queer people, encouraging them to ask questions and make their own stories.
To learn more about the art of intimacy and Intimacy Coordinators of Color, visit Ann’s website.
