Episode #17
In this episode, Jennifer talks to Teniece Divya Johnson about boundaries. They define & unpack the language used around the topic, the word “no”, what it means to take up space, the importance of having a support system, and consent. They share tools about hypothetical situations specifically for artists and helpful phrases for feeling more empowered to advocate for yourself. This episode is deeply important (a note taker!) and is one that is core to the ethos of EAC.
CW: This episode touches on aspects that come up when discussing boundaries. Some mentioned: systemic racism, consent, white supremacy, systems, intimacy
About Our Guest
Teniece Divya Johnson, MA (Lehigh University, Sociology), MFA (University of Florida), is a student of life, stunt performer and certified intimacy coordinator and intimacy director for television, film and stage. Some credits include HBO’s Emmy winning Succession, Lovecraft Country, RAMY, HULU's Wu-Tang: An American Saga, FX's POSE, STARZ Run The World, The Hunters on Amazon, Modern Love Season 2, West Side Story directed by Steven Spielberg and the limited series The Underground Railroad written and directed by Barry Jenkins on Amazon. Teniece was apart of the 2019 critically acclaimed and Tony nominated production of Slave Play and returned as the first Black, Queer and Non-Binary person to hold the position of intimacy director with Slave Play on Broadway again in 2021. Teniece was also apart of the Slave Play team at NYTW and at CTGLA. www.imdb.me/teniecedivyajohnson.
In addition to working as an industry leader in the field of entertainment, Teniece has cultivated a research based expertise in several areas: boundaries, empathy, Black intimacy and Queer intimacy. They engage colleges, universities, corporations and other organizations to promote healthy community practices.
Teaching and performing for over a decade, Teniece uses a multidisciplinary approach to cultivating self-healing and creative wellness practices. Driven to keep actors safe but the story dangerous Teniece’s devised theater experience, movement training and spoken word poetry lends for a natural curiosity and commitment to honoring and dissecting what is on the page in order to develop a captivating movement dialogue of action and reaction.
They are also an outspoken advocate for inclusivity, restorative justice, anti-racism, collective healing and consent culture.
