051: Movement, Fight & Intimacy Direction with Yarit Dor
" I believe in the movement umbrella, I believe that fights, intimacy, movement are exactly the same. It's just the technique, it's just the safety consideration, it's just the style is different, but we're all moving and it's all a physical script "
Yarit Dor
In this episode of The Shapes in Motion Podcast, Stephen Moynihan is joined by Fight Director, Movement Director and Intimacy Director Yarit Dor to explore her multifaceted journey across dance, martial arts, movement, stage combat and intimacy.
Yarit shares how her interdisciplinary practice has evolved, the importance of creating safe and collaborative creative environments, and the role of communication, trust and boundaries in the rehearsal room. They also discuss recognition and visibility for movement practitioners, the infrastructure needed to support safer working practices, and the possibilities that emerge when disciplines come together.
About Yarit Dor
Yarit Dor is an interdisciplinary movement artist working as a Fight Director, Movement Director, Intimacy Director and Intimacy Coordinator across stage and screen. Her practice brings these disciplines together through integrated physical storytelling, with credits spanning film and high-end television including Wicked, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, Rivals and The Rings of Power, alongside work for the West End, National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare’s Globe, Royal Opera House, Rambert and more.
Yarit is Co-Director of Moving Body Arts and Moving Body Studio, an Associate Artist of Shakespeare’s Globe and Director’s Cut Theatre Company, and an Associate Teacher at RADA. Since 2018, she has also been a leading voice in the development of intimacy direction and coordination in the UK, contributing to industry guidance for BECTU and Equity and advising on intimacy policies within higher education. In 2023, she was made a Fellow of Rose Bruford College in recognition of her contribution to the UK entertainment industry.
Selected theatre credits include Stage Kiss, Othello, The Years, The Winter’s Tale, Fat Ham, Fiddler on the Roof, Hamilton, Hadestown, Rockets and Blue Lights and Death of a Salesman. Her work across opera and dance includes productions for the Royal Opera House, BBC Proms, Rambert and Punchdrunk.
Chapters
Introduction to Yarit Dor and her multifaceted career
Early influences and exploration in dance and martial arts
Transition from dance to theater directing and movement
Training at Trinity Laban and Lecoq, and their impact
The development of movement umbrella and hybrid styles
Entering the professional world and wearing multiple hats
The evolution of intimacy direction in theater
Creating safe spaces and the importance of infrastructure
Building trust, boundaries, and responsibility in performance
Recognition, visibility, and credit for practitioners
Future aspirations and interdisciplinary collaborations
Links:
Moving Body Arts - Moving Body Arts: Fights, Intimacy and Movement for TV/Film & Stage | Intimacy coordinator training
Yarit Dor - Yarit Dor - Fights, Movement, Intimacy
Instagram - Moving Body Arts @movingbodyarts
Instagram - www.instagram.com/yaritdor/
To get in touch with Sarah visit www.sarahperrymovement.com and follow @sarahperrymovement on Instagram.
To get in touch with Stephen visit www.stephenmoynihan.net and follow @stmoynihan on Instagram.