Charlie Baker
photo by James Murphy @Trainman Photography
Intimacy
Charlie Baker is a Chicago based intimacy director and coordinator, and a co-founder of Intimacy Professionals Education Collective (IPEC). Beginning in 2018 under the mentorship of Rachel Flesher, Charie went on to teach with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators (IDC) from 2021-2023. Charlie, Rachel, and other incredible and industry shaking professionals started IPEC, an online training and continuing educational company for Intimacy Professionals worldwide.
Specializing in queer intimate storytelling and demystifying intimacy on stage and screen, Charlie has had the opportunity to work with a number of wonderful theaters, productions, and organizations across the country including the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Notre Dame Shakespeare, American Blues Theatre, Marriott Theatre, Court Theatre, Northwestern University, University of Chicago, the Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and many others; also coordinating for television shows like The Chi as well as independent feature and short films.
Clown and Specialty Movement
Charlie grew up juggling and clowning from an early age. A trip to the circus in elementary school cemented a dedication to the practice of physical storytelling, whether it was mime, clown, magic, or any other vehicle. In 2023 Charlie completed Actor’s Gymnasium’s two year pro-training program with a major in clown. In 2025 Charlie premiered their solo clowning / magic show “The Mysterious Magician” with plans for another Chicago run, and eventual tour!
Charlie has used these skills to great effect, whether it was consulting and choreographing clown for the stage, or to express heightened and abstract moments of intimacy and violence. Charlie is spectacular at pulling from a vast range of movement expertises to bring to life fantastical physical storytelling moments.
“It was a joy to work with Charlie on UNSEEN. The play poses many thorny issues, including queer intimacy, cross-cultural relationships, and undiagnosed PTSD. Charlie’s specific perspective on how queer intimacy is staged, and his studied expertise in safe PTSD performance were very important in supporting our performers for the long run of the repertory production.”
Violence
Combining the principles of intimate storytelling to the violence design and direction, Charlie received a Jeff nomination for their work in West Side Story at Marriott Theatre. While creating the violence for Kokandy’s Jekyll/Hyde Charlie got to flex their specialty of the absurd, abstracted, strange, and comical violence. They’re interested in exploring why and how we consume violence on stage, examining what draws us in, and what delivers the most satisfying or devastating impact.
West Side Story Marriott Theatre
Magic
A lifetime lover of the illusionary arts, Charlie joined the Society of American Magicians (SAM), and, dropped out of Card College. Strolling, table side, and close up magic are where Charlie’s magic best shines. Though nothing is quite as shiny as Charlie’s original Pokémon Trading Card magic!
Under the name Mr. Magius, Charlie has gained a quick following online, at game shops, and at set releases by performing magical illusions with Pokémon cards, packs, and more! they can be found on Instagram, Tiktok, and Youtube @MrMagius.PokeMagic
Book Charlie for your party, restaurant, or event!
Mr. Magius Poké Magic