Anastasia St. Amand (she | her)

Certified Intimacy Coordinator, Certified Intimacy Director, Fight Director

Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton

Anastasia (she/her) is a queer certified intimacy director and coordinator, an award-nominated actor, and award-winning fight director who hails from Mohkinstsis (Calgary) on Treaty 7 Territory. She works teaching and directing students at Ambrose University, Willow Park School and Calgary Arts Academy. She is the workshop committee chair and a board member for the National Society of Intimacy Professionals (NSIP), a proud team member of Principal Intimacy Professionals (PIPs), and an assistant instructor for PIP’s SAG-accredited intimacy professional training program.

She directs with a sense of joy, exploration, and collaboration. She has had the great fortune to hone her skills in Alberta’s welcoming and energetic communities. Anastasia holds accreditation in Mental Health First Aid and Psychological First Aid as well as Standard First Aid and CPR, and holds mental health and a trauma-informed care as central to her practice.

Select credits Include: Hurry Hard (Western Canada Theatre), Brontë (Studio Theatre UofA), A Midsummer Nights Dream, Measure For Measure (Free Will Shakespeare), 52 Pick-Up, Constellations (DIY), Genesis: The Mary Shelly Play (ACT Edinburgh Fringe), 13 (ABBEDAM UofA), Guilty Party (Paramount+), Superman & Lois S3 (Warner Bros), Peacemaker (HBO), Upload S2 (Amazon). Special thanks to her PIPs Pals and loved ones for their ongoing support.

I have worked with Anastasia on many projects ranging from intimacy to fight choreography. Many had very sensitive moments where I felt absolutely safe. I owe so many moments where the audience credits my performance to her and our partnership. I wish to convey my extreme awe of Anastasia. Both for what she has done for my performance and what she can contribute to theatre as a whole.

Darcy Wilson, Actor – Calgary, Alberta

Anastasia choregraphed myself and the cast in a production of Time Stands Still with DIY Theatre in Calgary. Her approach to on stage intimacy was extremely professional and thorough throughout the entire process. Everything was explained in detail and she truly listened to the trepidations and suggestions of those being choreographed without judgement. She is an effective and honest communicator. A rare and gifted artist.

Kaleigh Richards, Performing Artist, Director, Producer, Choreographer – Calgary Alberta

Anastasia instantly created this aura where I felt safe to be vulnerable. Before rehearsal Anastasia talked to us about gay male intimacy. It was commendable to have someone acknowledge LGBT+ intimacy would initiate differently. It is very rare in this industry to have someone of authority admit they are not the most informed in the room.

This is the first time a director has acknowledged that I, as a gay man could bring a level of understanding to the interaction. I experienced first hand how brilliant an Intimacy Director can be… she’s just amazing. She’s doing such an important job. I hope to work with her again soon.

Ellis J. Wells, Actor – London, England