STAGE kissing

Some tools and tips for choreographing and/or performing kisses for the stage or screen. Some actors may not need this much guidance, but it's helpful to have these tools if you're working with less experienced actors, or if you as an actor are wanting some stronger guidance in place.

Actors, this is how I approach kissing scenes as an intimacy director/coordinator.

prep

placeholder

In rehearsals, before kisses have been choreographed, use a "placeholder," which is any action or word to take the place of the kiss. Find something that doesn't disrupt the flow of blocking or lines. Suggestions include saying the word "kiss," and bringing faces close together.

closed, supervised kissing rehearsals

It's usually best practice to not have actors block kissing scenes in front of the rest of the cast. Blocking rehearsals for kissing scenes should include the actors who are kissing, the director, the stage manager, and the intimacy director. (If you are in a setting working with minors, make sure there is a third party in the room aside from the adult and the minors who are stage kissing.) Do not send actors into another room to "figure it out themselves."

listerine strips+chapstick

Provide actors with Listerine strips and chapstick, or remind them to bring their own. Listerine strips tend to work better for freshening breath, and can also possibly help reduce the transmission of germs. By having all actors use these products, we can make sure everyone is healthy and comfortable. (And we can avoid awkward conversations!)

boundary CHECK-IN & Tap in

See this page
Clarify any boundaries or expectations around kissing (how long is the kiss, closed mouth or open mouth, tongue or no tongue)

discuss context

Dive into the script and discuss the kiss moment. A few things to ask include:

Is this a first kiss?
How long have these characters wanted to kiss?
How badly do they want to kiss? Or do they NOT want to kiss?
Who initiates the kiss?
Is there a question or hesitation before the kiss starts?
Why does this kiss happen now? What is it about this moment and/or these characters that lead to a kiss?
How long of a kiss is this?
Is there more than one kiss?
Is there a visible power shift during this kiss?

choreography

choreograph body placement

Mark the kisses for now (no lips touching)

Are characters sitting or standing? How far apart are they? Is there movement that needs to happen for them to get close enough to kiss? This step includes choreographing everything except hand placement and lip placement.

choreograph HAND placement

Mark the kisses for now (no lips touching)

Where are character's hands and what are they doing during the kiss? Are they static/staying in one place? Moving? If they're moving, how many counts does it take for them to get their hand from one place to another. What depth of pressure are hands using?

move to lips touching if actors feel good about it

Rehearse the scene, including the lines/moments leading up to the kiss and incorporating the body placement and hand placement you've choreographed, only this time add lips touching.

option: use a "canoodle loop"

If actors need to be kissing for a long time (for example, if two characters are kissing in the background of a scene), create a "loop" of 3-5 moments that actors can just move through over and over again.

For example:

Hands on face, 3 count kiss on lips
Tuck hair behind ear, whisper into ear
Other actor whispers something back
Kisses on temple, cheekbone, jaw, neck
Repeat

See this page for ideas

closure

Tap out (see this page)