The Space Between: The Space Between: Establishing intimacy without the need for touch

How do you create intimacy, energy and emotional connection through the absence of touch? Connection doesn’t always require physical interaction. This paper explores an approach to actor training that establish meaningful connections without direct physical contact, investigating the concept of the ‘Space Between’ as a practical process to establish contact without the need for physical touch.

It expands on the concept of ma, which represents emptiness or the interval between things, marking the moment right after one movement ends and just before the next begins. However, in physiovocality, ma is not a vacant space but one rich with energy and significance. The energy of ma exists even without direct contact, creating a ‘touch without touch’ effect. This philosophy reflects an understanding that relationships and interactions are composed not just of action, but of the spaces, pauses and energies within those actions.

In an age where physical distancing is often necessary, these practices offer actors tools to foster intimacy, responsiveness, and empathy without physical touch. This approach not only enhances actor versatility but also opens new possibilities where physical touch may be limited or restricted.

This paper, which will cover some original physiovocal exercises that demonstrates this concept, will be discussed. This is housed within The Third Space (Lewis 2024) framework, which helps actors cultivate the sensitivity required to perceive and interact with the ‘invisible threads’ that connect them with others, transforming the limitations of physical space into a powerful tool for storytelling and human connection.