Sophie Schmidt as Jackie-O, from left, and Kay Clements as Anthony, rehearse a scene for the Deschutes Theatre Co.'s “The House of Yes” at The Village Wiestoria Depot in Bend.

The Deschutes Theatre Co. is breaking new ground by using an intimacy director with its upcoming production of “The House of Yes,” a twisted black comedy sure to delight reality TV fans with its ample instances of rich people behaving poorly.

“It is such an intimate piece. Every scene has intimacy in it,” said Director Jackie Coleman.

To her knowledge, the play, which premieres Thursday at Unity Spiritual Community of Central Oregon, has never before been produced in Bend.

It’s the fifth production by the theater company co-founded by Coleman, Sue Raley Salas and Todd Tolces, which has already established a reputation for leaning into edgy, provocative and experimental works after comedies like “Native Gardens and “The Cake.”

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Establishing new norms

Coleman is in training as a certified intimacy director, a role responsible for boundary-setting, choreography and conflict resolution on set.

Like combat, intimacy is a form of movement on the stage that must be choreographed, she said.

“Historically, there’s been a lot of damaging things that have been done mainly to women, queer, BIPOC and young performers,” Coleman said.

When Coleman was a college undergraduate, one of her friends was rehearsing “Dracula” in the role of Mina, in which the adult male director had been harassing the young actor during rehearsals. One night, while her friend was rehearsing in a white T-shirt, the director threw a glass of water on her chest and laughed.

Even at Coleman’s urging, her friend didn’t feel comfortable telling the head of the theater department.

“Nobody felt comfortable enough. It’s like ‘We’re only actors. What do we do? We don’t have any power,’” Coleman said.

As intimacy director-in-training for “The House of Yes,” Coleman is employing practices to help cast members set boundaries about where they are comfortable being touched.

Sophie Schmidt who plays the role of Jackie-O, said, “We all feel safe to speak up and ask for what we need. It’s just been a dream because we’ve all had that experience.”

As a young woman on a theater set in college, Schmidt said she was put in front of a stranger and told to kiss them.

At the time, she had no intimacy direction. No support.

“Jackie’s turning that completely on its head,” Schmidt said. “The audience can feel really good knowing they’re seeing a show where the actors are so safe and supported.”

Intimacy direction creates a safe atmosphere for the cast and crew, while enhancing performances at the same time, Coleman said. It strengthens the authenticity, emotional depth and chemistry.

Tolces, vice president of the theatre company and a member of the Screen Actors Guild for almost 50 years, said the guild has practices in place to protect actors. If an actor feels they are being pressured or put in a difficult situation, the production is halted immediately, he said.

As a result of intimacy direction, all five actors have received training in advocating for themselves, Schmidt said. Now they know what to expect — or demand — from future productions.

“(Coleman’s) choice to do this for one play, I think will have ripple effects on the community, which is really exciting,” Schmidt said.

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Disturbed and twisted humor

“The House of Yes” weaves messages about privilege and celebrity obsession beneath a plot line about a sibling arriving home for Thanksgiving with his fiancée. It’s set in the Pascal family home right next door to the Kennedy family, with whom they are obsessed.

Kay Clements, who was recently seen in “Native Gardens” and Cascade Theatrical Company’s “Miracle on 24th Street,” plays youngest child Anthony, a character whom he describes as a strange mix of insecurity and entitlement.

In this play, audience members will be kept on the edge of their seat. And if they try to predict what will happen next, they’ll probably be wrong.

Note: The production contains themes of violence, sexual assault and interfamilial sexual abuse.

If You Go

What: Deschutes Theatre Company presents “The House of Yes”

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and Dec. 12-14

Where: Unity Spiritual Community of Central Oregon, 63645 Scenic Drive, Bend

Cost: $25

Contact: bendticket.com