Eco-Friendly Theatre:
Many different names title "eco-friendly" theatre including "green theatre", "sustainable theatre", "eco-theatre",and "recycled theatre." Along with this, many different characteristics fit eco-friendly theatre as companies pick and choose based off of need and inspiration. Characteristics like reusing props, running efficient bathrooms, using organic make-up, and having paperless programs swarmed the theatre world by storm in the last twenty years. Before then, small theatres with small budgets went "green" on a regular basis; for example, theatres often reuse platforms, props, costumes, and other design elements to cut back on cost. (Karafin) By doing this, theatres help the environment even knowing it. Simple, low cost, ideas like this are just as important as expensive ideas like installing solar panels for energy. Despite the fact that money can be an issue for some areas of theatre, "going green" does not necessarily need a large budget. Here are some ways and current ideas that serve the theater community and encourage "going green": 1. Reuse costumes and other design elements as much as possible. 2. Keep your lobby as eco-friendly as possible. This could mean installing water efficient waterclosets, using virtual programs, using clean energy to power the lights, heating, and cooling, and using safe air fresheners that do not use VOC's (please see the "sustainability" tab on this website under "environmental concerns" for more information). 3. Make the theatre assesible to people so they have the opportunity to walk to the theatre instead of drive. 4. Offer incentives to patrons who are more eco-friendly. 5. Look for grants that deal with art and "going green" and apply for them. 6. In the rehearsal process, try using recycled pens and pencils. Also, cut back on paper as much as possible. This could mean using virtual rehearsal reports and printing on the front and back of paper. 7. Carpool to practices or walk when possible. 8. Turn off lights when people are not using spaces. 9. Buy energy efficient light bulbs for lights in the theatre. 10. Use "up-cycling" and "down-cycling" recycling when possible for design elements. (for more information on recycling, please visit the "sustainability" tab under "environmental concerns" on this website) |
List of some "Green" Theatres:
http://moolelo.net/green/ http://www.nyitawards.com/news/newsitem.asp?storyid=281 http://ecotheater.wordpress.com/2008/09/06/toward-a-more-sustainable-theatre/ http://www.tcg.org/index.cfm http://www.sustainablepractice.org/ http://www.berkeleyrep.org/about/greenroom.asp http://greenlimbs.com/recycling-in-exile/ http://www.performingarts.soka.edu/news_events/news/2011/soka-performing-arts-center-receives-leed-gold-certification.aspx http://telephoneandsoup.com/pages/green-theatre-collective |
How we are Producing Eco-Friendly Theatre:
Ball State University's Still Life with Iris chose to do our production enbodying the characteristics of eco-friendly theatre not only spread information about the "green" movement in the dramatic arts, but also (and more importanty) realize our carbon footprint as aspiring artists (for more information regarding our mission, click on the "director's statement" at the top of the page). Here are some ways we are "going green":
1. We are creating all of the design elements out of found materials in our space (i.e. lights) or up-cycling materials into costumes, set pieces, props etc. We are only using materials found in the Ball State community.
2. We are going paperless for porgrams. Instead, there is a QR code at the doors that people can scan with their smart phones. From there, they will be connected to the program that is on this website. For those people who do not have smart phones, the program will be projected on the wall of the theatre.
3. We are attempting to use "clean" energy to run the lights during the show. This energy is coming from a contraption that will collect energy from a stationary bicycle that the cast and crew ride.
4. We will not use any money to buy rehearsal props or anything found in the show.
5. We are walking and carpooling with friends to go to rehearsals.
6. We are not decorating the lobby with a dramaturgical display made from supplies bought in a store. Instead everything will be recycled craft.
7. All of our rehearsal reports from stage management are paperless. Rather, they are sent out via email and word of mouth.
8. Our advertisement posters will use clean ink and recycled paper.
Ball State University's Still Life with Iris chose to do our production enbodying the characteristics of eco-friendly theatre not only spread information about the "green" movement in the dramatic arts, but also (and more importanty) realize our carbon footprint as aspiring artists (for more information regarding our mission, click on the "director's statement" at the top of the page). Here are some ways we are "going green":
1. We are creating all of the design elements out of found materials in our space (i.e. lights) or up-cycling materials into costumes, set pieces, props etc. We are only using materials found in the Ball State community.
2. We are going paperless for porgrams. Instead, there is a QR code at the doors that people can scan with their smart phones. From there, they will be connected to the program that is on this website. For those people who do not have smart phones, the program will be projected on the wall of the theatre.
3. We are attempting to use "clean" energy to run the lights during the show. This energy is coming from a contraption that will collect energy from a stationary bicycle that the cast and crew ride.
4. We will not use any money to buy rehearsal props or anything found in the show.
5. We are walking and carpooling with friends to go to rehearsals.
6. We are not decorating the lobby with a dramaturgical display made from supplies bought in a store. Instead everything will be recycled craft.
7. All of our rehearsal reports from stage management are paperless. Rather, they are sent out via email and word of mouth.
8. Our advertisement posters will use clean ink and recycled paper.
Works Cited:
Bandoske, Luke. "Still Life with Iris." Graphic Design. 6 March 2013. <http://bsustilllifewithiris.weebly.com/theatre-and-sustainability.html>.
Karafin, Jeremy. "Turn on the Green: How to Make Your Production Eco-Friendly." New York Innovative Theatre Awards: Celebrating Off-Off Broadway May 2012. Web. 6 March 2013. <http://www.nyitawards.com/news/newsitem.asp?storyid=281>
Soka University. Soka University Performing Arts Center. Logo. 5 March 2013. http://www.performingarts.soka.edu/news_events/news/2011/soka-performing-arts-center-receives-leed-gold-certification.aspx.
Telephone and Soup. Green Theatre Collective. Logo. 5 March 2013. <http://telephoneandsoup.com/pages/green-theatre-collective>
Theatre Exile. Recycled Set. Photo. 5 March 2013. <http://greenlimbs.com/recycling-in-exile/>.