Juuso-Matias – An Artist-Expert

I am Juuso-Matias (they/them), an artist-expert, a Finland-based performing arts professional.

In productions I use my skills as an intimacy director or fight director. Whatever the role I take, my artistic practice is based on collaboration. Processes behind the scenes of intimacy and violence have in their core a collaborative choreographical work, practical safety protocols and specialized story-telling techniques. Still, they are two specialities with very different notion of risk-management, different priorities and basic techniques. Weaving violence and intimacy together in one scene is complicated and takes its time.

I am also a performing arts educator. I often even describe my work as mainly pedagogical and didactical. These simply mean that I weave together various practices, skillsets and threads of knowledges of the people in the room.

My main focus is to give tools to others so they can do their best possible work with the help of my expertise. In an optimal situation, the different performing arts experts I work with can use their original artistic and technical skillsets to meet the specific demands of intimate or violent scenes they work with.

I most often teach skills useful to the scenes of heightened physicality. I have taught future professionals on University of the Arts, University of Applied Sciences and Folk high school levels. I have at basic theatre education and at amateur theaters. As a part of my teaching practices, I direct and fight direct various scenes with specific learning goals in mind.

Juuso-Matias Maijanen

Artist-Expert

+358 40 717 2486
info@juuso-matias.fi

“Let’s collaborate for the best possible stories.”

Juuso-Matias

Master of Fine Arts
Intimacy Director
Fight Director
Performing Arts Pedagogue
Physical Actor

I have built my artist-expert practice on movement-based acting skills. I have spent one-and-half decade to study different skills, and have spent ten years adapt the skills specifically to the challenges of theatrical intimacy and dramatic violence. I then continued studying pedagogy and artistic research to further develop my practice. That is, these studies form the foundation of my work.

MFA in Performing Arts and Media at Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH) - 2025

I did my Degree of Master in Fine Arts in Performing Arts and Media at Stockholm University of the Arts 2023-2025. These studies concentrated in developing my own practice with the tools of artistic research and thematic research areas of SKH.

Intimacy Director* at Intimacy Directors and Coordinators (IDC)

I have studied intimacy direction with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators. I have finished my level 3, but have been checking boxes for my official graduation since 2025. Before IDC I studied with their predecessor Intimacy Directors International from 2017 onwards, and have worked continuously with intimacy since then.

A Teacher-Student at Nordic Stage Fight Society (NSFS)

I have studied stage combat pedagogy since 2023 in the mentor program of Nordic Stage Fight Society (NSFS) under Iiro Heikkilä, a teacher at Dramatic Combat Finland (DCF). My studies with NSFS and DCF span all the way to 2015, but I have been crafting different pieces of fight choreography since early 2011.

Performing Arts Instructor at Novia University of Applied Sciences (Novia) - 2019

I graduated a bachelor in performing arts pedagogy (scenkonstpedagogi) at Novia University of Applied Sciences in 2019. Besides my two areas of expertise (violence and intimacy), I teach classes in mime, pantomime, physical acting and movement. I also teach other basic classes in theatre.

Bachelor of Culture and Arts at Novia University of Applied Sciences (Novia) - 2015

My degree in physical theatre from Novia University of Applied Sciences is from 2015. The program concentrated heavily on physical acting techniques, but spent a lot of time in co-skills of sharing, directing, choreographing and teaching.

An Artist Expert as a Performance-Weaver

In contrast to my educational work, the tools I choose with a production serve the working group and the production plans, and the practical, physical choices we need to make to tell the story. Even if I value the effective use of time and energy, art is often a journey of learning and experimentation, and these processes take their time and need their side-journeys. There is often not much time in a production process, but naturally I can combine my intimacy direction or fight direction with meaningful pedagogical processes in order to make sure that the people understand the technical demands of the chosen solutions depending on the style of heightened physicality we work with.

Portrayal of Violence as one of my Expertise Areas

When using terms like portrayed violence, dramatic violence, or stage combat and screen combat, I mean an approach where we collaborate to create different magic tricks, illusions, to portray violence in a sustainable way. I would prefer using term “portrayed violence” or “fake violence” when speaking of the speciality to avoid confusions with real-life violence.

We might use these tools to tell stories of a fencing match, of a war or of a near-relation violence. I am especially interested in the performances where we create an impression of threat of violence or of psychological violence.

My Fight Director Path

In the role of fight director, I work as the artist-expert of violent material. I have done dramatic combat in its different forms since 2011. Since 2015 I have done my formal studies mainly with instructors of Nordic Stage Fight Society and Dramatic Combat Finland. I officially started in NSFS teacher program under Iiro Heikkilä in May 2024.

Portrayal of Intimacy as one of my Expertise Areas

In portrayed intimacy, intimacy for the stage or staged intimacy I speak about making these kinds of scenes sustainable. Intimate scenes can take a form of sex, touch or nudity, but intimacy director can be useful for scenes that portray other forms of emotional intimacy like family, friends or companionship. My skills work through sensitive, accurate and comprehensive approaches to different aspects of a performance for the whole working group.

With my approach of portrayed intimacy, I prefer to use an intimacy director with a low threshold. In camera work I will use term intimacy coordinator as these are two completely different professions with drastically different processes.

My Intimacy Director Path

I have learned my Intimacy Director skills with Intimacy Director International and through level 3 specialist studies with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators. I am currently working with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators through their level 4 certification. This means that currently, I can lean on one of the leading intimacy directors in the world as a mentor and discussion partner for any production I work with. I also cross-use the tools I have learned from the world of portrayal of violence in both worlds.

Productions behind an Artist-Expert

I list productions I have done since 2011 to grow my expertise.

FIGHT DIRECTOR, Tampereen Ylioppilasteatteri: MacBeth-musikaali (2026, Tampere)

Osallistuin Tampereen ylioppilasteatterin MacBeth-musikaalin päämiekkataisteluiden rakentamiseen. Tämän lisäksi annoin joitain ohjeita miekkailun dynamiikasta osaksi joukkotaistelukohtausta.

INTIMACY COORDINATOR, Helsinki-filmi: Jään vangit - Icebreaker (2024, Helsinki)

In Icebreaker I worked as an intimacy coordinator supporting some actors in choreography-creation to better portray the intensity of character relationships: IMDB LINK.

FIGHT DIRECTOR, Teatteri Soittorasia: Lumikuningatar (2025, Porvoo)

I fight directed several pieces of choreography for the theatre performance that is part of the basic education in theatre program.

INTIMACY COORDINATOR, coffee n’ movies: Neon Moon (2021-2024, Kouvola)

Neon Moon was an indie film by coffee’n’movies. It was a cyberpunk short, where I helped with the most important relationships dramaturgies and with several choreographical choices to tell a specific story.

LINK TO RECORDING

INTIMACY DIRECTOR, Avatar’s Journey Travel Agency and &-theater: Love Simulation EVE (2023, Espoo)

Love Simulation EVE was an indie piece combining virtual reality and immersive live-performance that was performed at &-theatre, the city theatre of Espoo city. I participated in the process already from the script phase to the very end in the role of an intimacy director.

THEATRE DIRECTOR, Turun Suurtorin keskiaika ry: Elävöitetty Pyhiinvaellus - A living pilgrimage (2023, Turku)

I was asked to direct a co-performance in connection to an immersive pilgrimage to the Turku Medieval Market. We built four physical performances to the pilgrims’ path. The purpose of these scenes was to invite people to pause for some internal journeys, light comedy and to the beauty of nature.

INTIMACY COORDINATOR, Kaiho Republic: Swang 2nd season (2022, Helsinki)

I supported the young actors with choreographical and structural tools in their scenes including squabbles, falling in love and playful togetherness.

INTIMACY DIRECTOR, Love Simulation EVE: Water Spirits (2020-2022)

I worked as an intimacy director for an indie experience about human connection in VR. This piece later became a part of Love Simulation EVE.
LINK

INTIMACY COORDINATOR, Warner Bros Finland: Aallonmurtaja 4th season (2022, Helsinki)

I supported some actors in finding their movement choices and support structures in order to sharpen and add playfulness to their intimate scenes.

FIGHT COORDINATOR, Turku University of Applied Sciences: Eräänä… Zombietrilogia (2022)

I was part in crafting the fight choreographies for this post-apocalyptic student film.

INTIMACY COORDINATOR, Yellow Film & TV: Kiitos elämä (2022, Helsinki)

I helped in intimacy coordination of Kiitos elämä television series

INTIMACY COORDINATOR AND FIGHT COORDINATOR, Fyr Films: The Demon of Midday (2021, Praque, Czech Republic)

In this student production I worked online in supporting the cast in Praque, Czech Republic with both their scenes of violence and intimacy mainly giving them protocols for nudity and relationship dramaturgy.

IMDB LINK

FIGHT DIRECTOR AND PHYSICAL ACTOR, Medieval Turku: Medieval Ferry (2021, Turku)

I co-choreoghed and co-directed a simple fight performance for Turun suurtorin keskiaika.

FILM DIRECTOR, Turun suurtorin keskiaika: Medieval Market Online (2020, Turku)

I directed several short films about the daily lives of people in medieval Turku.

THEATRE DIRECTOR, Åbolands Teaterskola: Världen runt i åttio dagar (2019, Turku)

I directed a performance for the students at basic theatre education group that I also taught.

THEATRE DIRECTOR, Åbolands Teaterskola: Om allt bara var bra (2019, Turku)

I directed a performance for the students at basic theatre education group that I also taught.

PHYSICAL ACTOR, Teatteri Iris: Tyttö ja Herra K (2018, Tampere)

I worked as a physical actor in Teatteri Iris piece.

CHOIR MEMBER AND DRAMATURG, Kanervakuoro: Rauhan laulut (2018, Tampere)

I did help the choir I was part of to craft a a simple dramaturgy for their live performance Rauhan laulut.

FIGHT DIRECTOR, Suomen Musiikkiteatteri Akatemia: Merry Wives of Windsor (2017, Tampere)

I was a physical theatre teacher at Suomen musiikkiteatteri Akatemia 2014-2017 before the school declared bankruptcy. During this time, I also fight directed for all their student productions. Merry wives of Windsor was one of these.

CHOIR MEMBER, Kanervakuoro: Lauluja Metsäpolulta (2017, Tampere)

I took part in a choir performance as a singer

PHYSICAL ACTOR, Kompastusjoukko: Lepus (R)evolution (2017, Tampere)

I was one of the creators of Kompastusjoukko’s third physical theatre performance which combined lights, origami masks and music.

THEATRE DIRECTOR, Jyväskylän kansannäyttämö: Saaren kätköissä – A 50-year anniversary play (2016, Jyväskylä)

I directed an hour-long mask theatre adaptation of Treasure Island for five actors.

LINK TO A REVIEW

PHYSICAL ACTOR AND PRODUCER, Kompastusjoukko: Jäävuorivaara - Iceberg-danger (2016, Tampere)

Kompastusjoukko’s second physical theatre performance was ordered for Earth Hour. It included a huge piece of sewn-together cloth, live lanterns, cardboard houses and several physical actors.

PHYSICAL ACTOR STUDENT, Kompastusjoukko: More Amore (2015, Tampere)

Kompastusjoukko’s first physical theatre performance was created for Häme Medieval Market. There we simply told a silly story of love and contact with the use of classical commedia dell’arte masks.

STUDENT-CREATOR, Novia University of Applied Sciences: Tuikesilmä (2015, Vaasa)

I performed and created a solo piece for Peeled – theatre festival as part of my physical theatre studies.

PHYSICAL ACTOR STUDENT, Novia University of Applied Sciences: Om et DrömSpel (2015, Vaasa)

I performed in a student production directed by Tom Fjordefalk as part of my physical theatre studies.

PHYSICAL ACTOR, Novia University of Applied Sciences: Kurokami (2014, Vaasa)

I performed a dance from classical Nihon Buyou repertoire Beats and Prayers festival as part of my physical theatre studies.

STUDENT-DIRECTOR, Novia University of Applied Sciences: Den skalliga förtrollerskan (2012, Vaasa)

I directed Eugene Ionesco’s text as a part of my physical theatre studies at Novia University of Applied Sciences

STUDENT PHYSICAL ACTOR, Novia University of Applied Sciences: Purgatorium (2012, Vaasa)

I acted William Butler Yeat’s Purgatorium as directed by Liv Nordgren as a part of my physical theatre studies at Novia University of Applied Sciences

PHYSICAL ACTOR STUDENT, Novia University of Applied Sciences: Inför lyckta dörrar (2012, Vaasa)

I acted in Elin Smedlund’s version of Jean-Paul Sartre’s text as a part of my physical theatre studies at Novia University of Applied Sciences

PHYSICAL ACTOR, Vaasa Market of Possibilities: Gorou (2014, Vaasa)

I performed a dance from classical Nihon Buyou repertoire at the market event.

PHYSICAL ACTOR, Teatteri Outolintu: Vaudeville Moustache (2013, Vaasa)

I was one of the physical performers and choreographers for the Dinner Show Performance in Vaasa.

LINK

PHYSICAL ACTOR, Sampei Fes: Kurokami, Gorou and others (2013, Kyoto)

I performed several dances from classical Nihon Buyou repertoire at SampeiFes festival in Kyoto, Japan as part of my exchange studies there.

PHYSICAL ACTOR, Vaasa Lunch Picnic: physical theatre pieces (2012, Vaasa)

I worked as a summer actor for the Vasa Lunch Picnic where I created several live performances for the picnic-goers. These included a music-theatre performance and several clown numbers.

MOVEMENT DIRECTOR, Animecon IX: Gin! the Musical (2012, Kuopio)

I fight directed, intimacy directed and worked as an acting coach for the second version of the fan musical based on Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin.

LINK TO RECORDING

FIGHT DIRECTOR AND PHYSICAL ACTOR, Jyväskylän työväenteatteri: Prinsessa Ruusunen (2011, Jyväskylä)

This adaptation of Sleeping Beauty was my first work as a fight director, and I also performed a simple faked kiss on stage. I created several pieces of fencing choreography.

Juuso-Matias doing a mind gesture of 'wall'. Text: Education - Special Techniques for Performing Arts.

The purpose of my educational work is to share techniques without the time-pressure of a production. That prepares people for more advanced artistic solutions when working in a production. I have taught future professionals on University of the Arts, University of Applied Sciences and Folk High School levels. I also have experience with Basic Theatre Education and with Amateur Theaters. As a part of my teaching practices, I often direct and fight direct scenes with a variety of methods as most of the material I teach needs clear artistic contexts to function.

Besides physical movement skills, I teach communication skills that make the work lighter. These include extending our common physical and dramaturgical languages that make the production work smoother.

As an artist-expert I have been actively teaching in various forms for 15 years now. My original background is in physical, movement-based acting, specifically in Lecoq-tradition, several mime techniques, mask theatre, movement-analysis and in several traditional and historical movement styles from Asia and Europe. After my basic training, I have spent a decade in the world of heightened physicality. I have learned the pedagogy and didactics of intimate storytelling with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators and am studying the similar skills relevant to the portrayal of violence with Nordic Stage Fight Society and with Dramatic Combat Finland.

Workshop Example: Basic Tools for Consent and Physicality

Teaching Experiences of an Artist-Expert

Here I list teaching some of the teaching contexts I have worked in.

ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR, Nordic Stage Fight Society Summer Workshop (2025, Pärnu)

I was assisting and co-teaching several teachers at traditional NSFS Summer Workshop.

STAGE COMBAT INSTRUCTOR, Teatteri Soittorasia: Stage Combat Basics (2020-2026, Porvoo)

I have taught courses in stage combat as part of their basic theatre education program since 2020.

GUEST LECTURER, University of the Arts Helsinki: Consent Day (2024, Helsinki)

I taught a day-long workshop of consent, its anatomy and mechanics, to the first year master-students of all the programs at the university of the arts.

GUEST TEACHER, University of the Arts Helsinki: Intimacy Choreography (2023)

I was one of the guest teachers at University of the Arts Intimacy Choreography course taught by Marjo-Riikka Mäkelä.

PHYSICAL THEATRE TEACHER, Turku University of Applied Sciences: Physical Expression 1 (autumn 2021, Turku)

I taught an autumn long physical theatre course, delving through different forms and approaches to the expressive, communicative and articulative acting techniques

THEATRE TEACHER, Turku Finnish Language Community College: Humane Theatre (2021)

I taught a course in so-called humane theatre, an approach of mine where we use the some accesible, easy to learn physical theatre techniques to the simple versions of lights, sounds, costumes and other technical areas to create total performances.

PHYSICAL THEATRE TEACHER, Turku Dansart: Physical Theatre, Mime and Pantomime (2021, Turku)

I taught several weekly lessons in general physical theatre, mime (acting technique) and pantomime (technique of gesture language) at Turku Dansart, an association for professional performers in Turku.

THEATRE TEACHER, Turku Swedish Workers’ College: Mänsklig teater med din egen kropp - Humane theatre with your own body (2020)

I taught a Swedish-language version in Humane Theatre course at Åbo Svenska Arbetarinstitut in spring 2020.

STAND-IN FOR THE MAIN TEACHER, Varsinais-Suomen kansanopisto: Theatre and Make-up Program (2020, Paimio)

I worked as a stand-in for the main teacheer at at Varsinais-Suomen kansanopisto during spring 2020.

THEATRE TEACHER, Turku Student Theatre: Stage Combat and Intimacy for the Stage courses (2019)

I taught two day courses for Turku Student theatre in 2019.

ASSISTANT TEACHER, Intimacy Directors International: intimacy workshops (2019, US)

I visited the US in 2019, and worked there as an assistant-teacher for several intimacy courses organized by Intimacy Directors International and their intimacy directors. I also shadowed a few working professionals in their teaching.

THEATRE TEACHER, Åbolands Teaterskola (2018-2019, Turku)

I worked as a main teacher for several courses (classes 1-2, 5-6, 7-8 and 9+) in swedish-language basic arts education at Åbolands Teaterskola during academic year 2018-2019.

STAGE COMBAT INSTRUCTOR, Suomen teatteriopisto: special course in intimate violence (2018, Tampere)

I taught a two-week course in intimate violence at Suomen teatteriopisto’s second year students.

CONTACT IMPROV TEACHER, Tampere Contact Improv (2015-2018, Tampere)

I taught regurlarly at Tampere Contact Improvisation (TreKI) weekly classes during 2015-2018.

THEATRICAL INTIMACY EDUCATOR, Teatteri Iris: Intimate Moments (2018, Tampere)

I taught a weekend course in staging intimacy to Teatteri Iris, a small independent theatre in Tampere.

THEATRE PEDAGOGUE, Teatteri Iris: Tyttö ja Herra K (2018, Tampere)

I worked as a physical actor in Teatteri Iris piece.

THEATRE TEACHER, Koskikotikeskus 55+ group: Humane Theatre (2018, Tampere)

I taught my first ever humane theatre course to the 55+ group of Koskikotikeskus. This was part of my paid internship during my pedagogical studies at Novia University of Applied Sciences.

STAGE COMBAT INSTRUCTOR, Pirkan opisto: Stagefight course (2017, Pirkkala)

I taught a three-weekend stagefighting course to the theatre students at Pirkan opisto.

PHYSICAL THEATRE TEACHER, Suomen Musiikkiteatteri Akatemia (2014-2017, Tampere)

I worked as the physical theatre teacher at this community college during 2014-2017 teaching a weekly lesson of three hours covering various forms of physical theatre.

HEMA INSTRUCTOR, Vaasa Fencers Society - VaMi (2011-2015, Vaasa)

I researched, studied and taught HEMA at Vaasa Fencers Society (VaMi) in 2011-2015.

DANCE INSTRUCTOR, Vaasa Historical Dance Group (2011-2015)

I researched, studied and taught historical dance and folk dance in Vaasa 2011-2015 with the local dance group in Levande Tradition program.

PHYSICAL THEATRE TEACHER, Jyväskylän kansannäyttämö: Several Physical Theatre courses (2013-2014, Jyväskylä)

I taught several courses at Jyväskylän Kansannäyttämö from 2013 onwards, after which I was asked to direct their 50-year anniversary performance Saaren kätköissä.

HEMA TEACHING ASSISTANT, Jyväskylä Swordfighting Society (2010-2011, Jyväskylä)

I practiced and finally started to studied leadin HEMA classes at Jyväskylä Swordfighting Society between 2010-2011.

Juuso-Matias – An Artist-Expert

As you have learned from this page, I am Juuso-Matias (they/them), an artist-expert, a Finland-based performing arts professional who specializes in intimacy and violence.

This box is where I have left my contact details. You are welcome to contact me by email, through any social media channel or by phone. If you call me and I won’t answer, I will call you back as soon as possible.

Hiring me as a intimacy director or intimacy director

If you consider hiring me as an intimacy director or fight director, let’s have a discussion what kind of process we would like to tailor for your production and for your production team. We should always start as early in the process as possible, as nobody wants to leave heightened physicality to the afterthoughts. I can simply read through a script and do a quick break-down of what you should consider there.

I hope to keep my work economically accessible to different organizations. If your organization, indie production or amateur theatre couldn’t pay the collective agreement level of salary, please still be in contact. There are always ways to collaborate and find solutions: it is simply about having a bit of creativity and discuss these things honestly.

Hiring me as a teacher

If you hire me as an educator, discussions start with a your needs and the level of tailoring needed. Teaching a simple basic course, a facilitation performing arts laboratory or preparing for a production are very different tasks. Similarly, it is very different to teach basic level students, intermediates or an advanced class. If I am teaching a class of my speciality, I tend to not need such an amount of preparation than if I am teaching something out of my comfort zone.

In the end, I feel like teaching is all about serving the students.

Let’s collaborate in the near future!

Juuso-Matias Maijanen

Artist-Expert

+358 40 717 2486
info@juuso-matias.fi

“Let’s collaborate for the best possible stories.”