Carly DW Bones

Testimonials

“Carly is the best. They create a safe, generous, caring and generative container for making work, and are at the top of my list for collaborators I want to work with again and again.”
- Lisa Sanaye Dring (Playwright, Actor, Director)

“Carly is one of my absolute favorite creatives and trusted collaborators. When I am directing, she is one of my first hires if I am in need of an intimacy director. The care, knowledge and generosity with which she holds space for actors to make brave, vulnerable work is unsurpassed. She guides with playfulness, compassion, depth, and specificity. It is a joy to be in any room she is leading."
- Alana Dietze (Director, Actor)

“Carly DW Bones is a singular force within the Los Angeles theatre scene. As both a director and an intimacy coordinator, their work is generous, expansive, and imaginative — but more than that, they empower everyone around them to do their best work as well."
- Zach Davidson (Coin & Ghost: Artistic Director)

“Bones is not only a caring, nurturing and kind intimacy coordinator with knowledge, vocabulary and a breadth of techniques to back them up, but they’re also a bridge between generations of theatre makers. They approach generational/cultural miscommunications with a delicate heart and a firm mind, disarming a conflicted room with ease. They truly shine in their allyship to folx from all cultures, genders and bodies in the room." 
- Reena Dutt (Theatre & Film Director)

“When Carly entered the rehearsal process with us, she brought an immediate warmth and openness, and a strong sense of trust. She not only has an immense understanding and knowledge of the work, but she instills it with a beautiful sense of ease, safety, and caring. Carly is an assured leader and a generous collaborator and she works from the deepest chambers of her heart.”
- Cameron Watson (Director, Acting Teacher)

“Carly staged several moments of intimacy in a play for me, including a very challenging scene with simulated sex. She staged the sequence with care, nuance, and honesty, and the resulting scene was neither apologetic nor prurient. She did it all while taking care of the comfort and personal boundaries of the actors, and while also being conscious of our schedule and the need for efficient use of time. It was an ideal collaboration, and I look forward to the next opportunity to work with Carly.”
- Michael Michetti (Director, Boston Court: former co-Artistic Director)

“As a director and intimacy coordinator, Carly was deeply instrumental in developing a new play of mine. From creating a warm and collaborative community out of thin air to keeping extremely clear rehearsal boundaries, Carly always set a safe and joyful tone for the cast and crew. She's also undoubtedly reliable, while still willing to take risks to elevate the work. She encouraged me with rewrites and pulled incredible performances from our actors. I highly recommend Carly, especially if you are seeking someone who can handle sensitive material.”
- Alice Stanley Jr. (Writer for Stage, Screen and Podcasts)

“Carly is a thoughtful collaborator, cares deeply about making actors feel seen and heard, and creates a clear, consent-based container for rehearsals that allows for play, creativity, and exploration. Carly creates intimacy choreography that beautifully supports the storytelling of the show, no matter what story you are trying to tell, and I have seen her work patiently and passionately with a wide range of actors, from college students to professionals, and from eager participants to actors who dismiss the need for an intimacy choreographer entirely. I cannot recommend Carly highly enough.”
- Margaret Shigeko Starbuck (Boston Court: Associate Artistic Director)

“Carly is the warmest, wisest and most caring director I have ever worked with. She treats every artist with such care while creating a community that lives on after the project ends. She is not only a talented artist but a community builder.”

• Arie Levine (Pasadena Playhouse: Education Manager)

“Carly is one of the best directors I have ever worked with. She is curious and astute, and excels at new play development. Her insight and collaborative nature are invaluable to the playwrights who work with her. She creates an environment of trust and respect, where actors feel comfortable taking risks and accessing the deepest parts of themselves. Her approach to the work is deeply exciting and I learn so much every time I watch her work.”

• Annie McVey (The Inkwell Theatre: Associate Artistic Director)

“Carly is a joy to work with and she is extremely inventive and flexible. She has led our ensemble in exploring not just the artist-with-artist relationship but also the artist-with-audience relationship in work that has involved that sort of participation. Carly is a true pioneer.”

• Mark Seldis (Ghost Road Theatre: Producing Director)

“Carly’s holistic approach to intimacy direction ensures that all members of the ensemble are cared for from the first rehearsal to the final performance, with room for new discoveries and changes that align with our comfort level. She also gifted us tools we can bring into other spaces and artistic practices. We were navigating extremely charged, personal material at a devastating time for humanity and my community; Carly’s work allowed me to both give my all in performance and release the material when I needed to.”

• Carene Rose Mekertichyan (Actor, Activist, Teaching Artist)

“In my work as a theatre director, working with Carly in her capacity as an intimacy director and facilitator is by far the best experience I have ever had. She opens up the space and the work to greater creativity and honesty, resulting in a safe, fruitful and joyful working environment.”

• Katherine Noon (Ghost Road Theatre: Artistic Director)

“Carly is a true collaborator and brilliant visionary. They create a safe space where all artists can thrive and bring their authentic selves into rehearsals and performances. Our rehearsals felt like permission to invite our inner artist child out to explore and play - and as a result, they were incredibly healing of past traumas. Carly is an expert at creating strong ensembles and fostering protective spaces for artists to feel empowered in their vulnerability.”

• Julia Manis (Actor, Dancer)

“Working with Carly is a gift. Carly is both an expert in their field and a vessel of warmth and care. Spaces facilitated by Carly are well-informed, detail-oriented, kind, and safe, thus ensuring a room bursting at the seams with creativity, ease, and ensemble.”

• Sofia JoAnna (Actor, Dancer)

“Carly and I met during the rehearsal process for a college play. As an actor with severe trauma on a past film project that should have had an intimacy coordinator, Carly gifted me with a corrective emotional experience. They offered tools, tips, and choreography that portrayed sexual and romantic dynamics without compromising my safety. With both verbal and nonverbal tools for communicating, I had agency throughout the rehearsal process to go at my own pace - I didn’t feel embarrassed to say what I wasn’t comfortable with! Carly’s empathetic and soothing nature helped me confront my fears with enthusiasm. After working together, I feel confident in my ability to set boundaries both on and off the stage and to continue advocating for myself in performance spaces.”

• Charlie Kantar (Actor, Theatre Student)

“I never worked with an intimacy coordinator before Carly and she set the bar very high! From our first interaction I knew that not only was I in good hands, but I could tell that she respected and cared for me as an artist and a human. And she’s such a sweet person!”

• Ronin Lee (Actor, Veteran)

“Carly is an excellent director! She's a passionate, supportive, experienced, creative professional. Carly's background as an intimacy director really came in handy for my show - which already won an award and is now on tour. If you have a chance to work with Carly, don't miss it!”

• Jean Franzblau (Actor, Intimacy Coordinator, Sex Educator)

“Working with Carly on their production team was a magnificent experience. She had a specific vision that was very clear, yet still wanted input and original ideas to help expand upon it. One of the most out-there shows I’ve ever designed, and I can’t thank Carly enough for their trust and openness in letting me do it.”

• James Ferrero (Actor, Sound Designer)

“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