About me

Hello— I’m Helen!

Originally from New Jersey, I began as an oboe player, and grew into acting and dancing with local opera companies.

A myriad of connected experiences led me to my career as a stage director: attending operas as a teenager, buying my first piano/vocal score at Patelson’s in NYC, being a supernumerary in summer opera festivals, and performing in University of Miami’s wind ensemble at Carnegie Hall. When a community opera company took a chance on training and mentoring me into directing, I forged ahead!

(I simultaneously created an administrative career in the arts that was anchored in fundraising and advocacy.)

My path in intimacy choreography started when I had to stage a kiss with an actor who’d never been kissed before in real life. I panicked and thought “There’s got to be a book or training on this!” (at the time, there wasn’t). In 2019, I found an Intimacy Directors International training weekend that changed my life and trajectory in theatre.

Since then, as a director I have helmed a range of productions across various styles and genres. Highlights of my directing work can be seen here. As an intimacy choreographer, my work is at the forefront of consent-based, authentic physical storytelling.

Not On My Resume

  • Duty Of Care

    My training, empathy, and “spidey sense” are the basis of addressing behaviors and assumptions that could result in the developmental and emotional harm of others.

  • Modification

    I fit my pedagogical approach and content to age, education, and/or experience. I meet people where they are.

  • Humor

    Laughter is an important part of my life. It augments my process and learning. The Muppets, Mel Brooks, Peter Sellers, Monty Python, and Marx Brothers are strong influences.

  • Flexibility

    People are different. Life happens. I adapt in real time to given circumstances and have experience being a leader in messy situations.

  • Community

    I facilitate both joy and shared responsibility by valuing each person involved in creating art.

Hire me for…

A multi-hyphenate polymath - I’ve got a lot to offer. Check out my specialties below!

  • I lead the room by loving the material, recognizing individual talent, and inspiring groups to get sh*t done.

  • If you, the director, are the brain of the production, I am the brain stem. I excel at communicating, organizing, and staying on schedule.

  • My  training, empathy, and "spidey sense" make me an asset in the room. I facilitate between and advocate for artists, consent, and boundaries, in order to create and enhance physical storytelling.