Arcola Theatre

Ello. Cheerio. In case you are planning a trip across the pond and are looking for a theatre that practices sustainability check out the Arcola Theatre. According to the Londonist, The Arcola Theatre is planning to move locations and become Britain's first carbon neutral theatre. They are putting together a feasibility plan so we should know soon when to expect their new digs to be completed. Very exciting! Cheers.

Wild Project

Don't you just love when you hear of an amazing new something and then come to find out it exists in the same town as you? Well let me introduce you to the Wild Project. They are a new beautiful venue for theater, film, and visual art that is very interested in sustainable practices by exploring eco-conscious design and green technologies. The next upcoming theater project is called Bereaved presented by Partial Comfort Productions, an exciting new production from Thomas Bradshaw. In addition they highlight the artist, David Melrose in his piece Self Examination as a Chance Operation.

Just the place we have all been looking for.

Alo Sportswear

So I know this is a blog all about theater but is there an actor out there that isn't also interested in perfecting their bodies? To be in pristine condition to perform the body, mind, and voice must all be in synch. So why not bring your interest in environmental awareness to your workout as well? Alo Sportswear has thought of everything. Cool clothing made from bamboo, modal, and organic cotton. They have yoga wear and outerwear to keep you warm on your way to class. In addition their LA headquarters has solar panels to cut down on their carbon footprint. All of a sudden I can't wait to get to the gym.

Paint

Something I don't think has been mentioned a lot since I hadn't heard of it before is paint and its harmful affects on the environment. Leftover paint can account for more than 60% of material collected at household hazard waste collection programs. If you have measured your space accurately and you only purchased paint you will use then wonderful. But if you have some leftover why not donate to organizations that might need it more than the landfill? So why not think outside the can and reuse or donate leftover paint to organizations that really need it like...struggling theater companies.

Related Links

How to Dispose of Paint

wikiHow

Home of the Wriggler

Edinburgh. Home of the innovative and interesting and this piece does not disappoint. From Stan's Cafe they are calling it an eco-legend. It takes place sometime in the future when oil has long been gone and cars and machinery are the things of stories and so distant in the past that no one can really remember them at all. Home of the Wriggler brings an onstage bike that has been engineered so the cast may power their own lights and sound. They constructed the text from dozens of interviews and personal stories from employees of a former car manufacturing plant that is now shut down. How interesting. How thoughtful. How scary. Doesn't seem like that future is that far away, does it?

Dumpster Swimming Pools for Urban Renewal

Summer in NYC. It's hot, sticky and frankly a little stinky at times. And that's why it is so important to cool off! From the minds of Macro-Sea comes dumpster swimming pools! They are cleaned and lined and the pool water is even filtered just like a real pool. There are cabanas, grills and a bocce ball court.

The idea was to create an urban oasis with underused space and materials and to repurpose and reuse already existing materials all in the name of urban renewal. Due to the economy, construction is down so there are quite a few unused dumpsters lying around...what a way to rethink outside the box to come up with a spa in an unused parking lot? In addition, they are using the space for private performances such as bands and movies...wouldn't it be great to get a live performance of theater in that space?

Wish you could take a dip? Mum is the word on the exact location and it is invite only so the crowds will stay at bay. What a great reason to shout from the rooftops, "I LOVE NEW YORK!"

Featured on:

NY TIMES

BABELGUM

Green MO'OLELO

I know some of you out there scoff at the idea that theater exists outside NYC. But, I am here to tell you it's true, it not only exists but is often exciting, innovative and refreshing theater. Check out Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company in sunny San Diego. They are not only focused on spearheading original work using all types of performance, but they have published a Green Theater Categories & Sustainable Guidelines Checklist for ALL companies to use. In it they include options for marketing, waste management, water management, energy management and more!

Not only can you use their website for guidance but they are open to answering your email inquiries and offer to give advice for any artist looking for sustainable practices. AND they are currently doing research to develop tools to measure the environmental impact of theater on communities so that the industry can make better choices! Follow their updates on their blog. This is definitely a company to admire and support. Who knew? Way to go San Diego!

Related Article

Interview with Seema Sueko of Mo`olelo at DramaBiz

The Broadway Green Alliance

I know I mentioned this in my previous entry but there is so much juicy information I had to write about it again.  The Broadway Green Alliance (BGA) established in 2008, with the blessing of Mayor Bloomberg and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), has a wonderful program to encourage all Broadway productions to reduce their carbon footprint.  They even have an entire page dedicated to tips you can relay to your cast and crew with really spot on talking points.  With suggestions like the use of email for messages and information, reducing bottled water by encouraging mugs or eco-friendly bottles, the use of recycled paper, etc. with goals for next year and goals for five years.  Now that's a plan to work on!  

The part I thought was the most interesting was that in all of the suggestions communication with cast and crew were the most important.  Highlighting reasons why choices were made so that others might become more aware and then in turn pass along what they have learned.  And you thought Broadway was all about making money...it seems everyone is deeply interested in saving our environment.

9 to 5 The Musical Has Gone GREEN!

It seems that The Broadway League, the national trade association for the Broadway industry, began a campaign called Broadway Goes Green, now called The Broadway Green Alliance and those crazy folks at 9 To 5 The Musical have taken it to heart. Going green from the beginning, they even have a contest to see whose office is the most green and if you win you get free tickets to the show.  In addition, Seventh Generation signed on for sponsorship and provided them with handsoap and detergent backstage (what a great way to cross market!)  they changed out light bulbs for more efficient lighting and started using rechargeable batteries for mics.    So now is your chance to see some great theater and feel good about the environment.  Who cares if it's a marketing ploy?  They got me hooked at green.

Our Earth

Didn't I just write about Urban Rooftop Gardening???  It seems this is a trend that is sweeping the nation.  I know this doesn't have anything to do with green theater per se, but it does have to do with our society taking a different turn towards environmentally sound changes.  Check out the great piece about urban farming going on right in Brooklyn!  It was too interesting not to pass this along...Babelgum has a wonderful section on their website, Our Earth, to promote mother nature in all her glory.  These documentaries are only a few minutes but will leave you feeling inspired and ready to conquer the world.  Seriously worth checking out.  Speaking of Mother Nature...will this rain ever stop?

Urban Rooftop Farming

There is always an opportunity to combine theater and gardening, right?  Who knew that bridge would be so easily built and yet it seems so simple it is brilliant.  Broadway Stages, the premiere facility for sound stages throughout NYC, has offered its rooftop for gardening in a new trend that is sweeping the city.  Want fresh herbs and lettuce?  Along with asparagus and tomatoes?  These too can be yours with a little bit of a green thumb and of course a rooftop.  The city is even rewarding buildings by giving them a tax abatement!  What could be better than some fresh fruits and vegetables combined with your love of the theater?  I say delicious...salad anyone? 

Women's Project

I recently attended a panel at CUNY regarding green theater.  Towards the end the topic of incorporating environmental awareness into the context of the art itself was brought up and discussed.  This presented a wonderful banter about art reflecting life and how to incorporate current global issues without the art feeling forced or the playwright feeling forced to include a "fad" topic.  

Well, the Women's Project has done it!  They have embodied what I had just been discussing into an event not to missed called GLOBAL COOLING: THE WOMEN CHILL created by the artists of the WP LAB. The event itself will be site specific, FREE, and include both media and visual art installations.  Very cool indeed.

Global warming--do you find it chilling? Let the artists of the Women’s Project Lab lead you on a journey through the World Financial Center.  GLOBAL COOLING: THE WOMEN CHILL explores environmental awareness through six short theater pieces (described below) that use spoken word, song, dance, yoga, and repurposed garbage. 
In Green We Trust!

Costume Collection

One of the burning questions after a project ends is...what do I do with all these costumes?  The easiest answer isn't always the best answer.  It's time to give back to the community.  Here comes Costume Collection.  This organization sponsored by TDF allows you, the small emerging artist, to look your best!  Costumes from the hottest Broadway and Off-Broadway shows (in addition to touring companies and opera companies) are rented at extremely affordable prices, with over 75,000 costume options to choose from... what are you waiting for?  And did I mention that if you choose to donate once your own show closes it is tax deductible?  Very smart indeed.

Become a fan on Facebook

Materials For The Arts

Ever get surprised every now and again by the sheer awesomeness of some organizations?  Check out Materials For The Arts.  The way it works is materials from organizations and individuals that no longer need any of their furniture, clothing, office furniture, whatever... offer to donate them instead to this organization rather than throwing it in a landfill.  What a wonderful way to promote reuse, recycling and waste management (which of course they do).  Educators and non-profits alike have the opportunity to go shopping for whatever they might need and no money ever gets exchanged.  What a brilliant idea.

Related Articles

YouTube Video

WNYC.org

Planet Connections Theater Festivity

I was brought on board to help this wonderful theater festival try to be green.  The first question I asked myself is...how can a festival that doesn't own the space it is using, go green?  And, with so many different festival participants?  I came up with quite a few brainstorms to come up with a Plan Of Action to figure out solutions.  And I should also say, I am continuously coming up with brainstorms about tacking these issues.  

First, I thought about the areas that can be most affected:  Lighting, Paper Output (tickets, playbills, promotional material), Concessions, Cleaning Products, Recycling.  I think these areas are all doable even if the space is only rented.  I ultimately believe it is the small impacts we make that demonstrate to others the possibilities they too can make in their own daily lives.  

Here are some current ideas (which are always being updated and rethought) for each area mentioned:

Lighting - Choosing energy efficient bulbs

Paper Output - This is challenging because there are so many shows to keep track of.  But, I do think a simple announcement before each show that we are trying to conserve paper and if our patrons do not want to take the playbill home to please keep it in great condition and return it to the designated are to be reused.  Simple and easy.  I also think there is an opportunity to come up with a new design to cut down on paper usage in addition to using recycled products.  I even heard of a theater company telling their patrons to visit their website for the playbill so no paper would be wasted at all.  Plus, think of the savings!  In addition, the facility they have hosts two theaters only for general seating which leads them to not need printed tickets.  Instead they will print and laminate numbered tickets so they can still keep track of ticket holders. The Paper Mill Store or The Greenfield Paper Co or The Green Office

Concessions - Trying to use post consumer materials to sell your liquor or food items. Try Bambu or Greenware or Repurpose

Cleaning Products and Bathroom Products - Making the cleaning products (from hand wash to toilet bowl cleaners to recycled toilet paper) visible is key in addition to making sure there is an explanation and information about where to purchase.  Companies that are amazing and surprisingly affordable are Method or Seventh Generation or Shaklee

Recycle - Having visible and clearly marked recycling bins.

Broadway Gets Its First Green Theater

Broadway has done it.  According to today's NY Times, the brand new Henry Miller Theater has supplied the Great White Way with its first "green" theater.  This looks to be the first step for a very exciting and new New York.  If Broadway does it, it means the little theaters are soon to do it too.  It seems some of the ways they are going green include using mostly recycled material to create the walls and baseboard.  As well as low flush bathrooms...even going as far as no water in men's urinals.  I can't wait to see what else they do to continue this exciting new venture.  Maybe they will have more energy efficient lighting.  Or perhaps recycling trash cans on the premises or perhaps they will recycle sets for the upcoming, The Roundabout Theater company's Bye Bye Birdie which stands to be the inaugural show.  Whatever lies ahead it will be exciting.  

Related article Playbill.com

It's The Small Things

I think there is sometimes a misunderstanding that goes along with becoming green.  Often times the examples we have to follow use big grand gestures like installing solar power.  Of course solar panels are wonderful and I wish everyone was able to use them but they can be expensive and a large undertaking for the small theaters.   I believe it is the small gestures that can be just as powerful and over time can be built upon.  It is the extra second taken when decisions are  being made to look at things a little differently.  And then to advertise them so your theater patrons and your colleagues become aware of the decisions being made so they can then apply them to their own lives and work.  Start by thinking of the 3 R's Reuse, Reduce, Recycle and I would even argue there is a 4th...Rethink.  Let's start this conversation together.