Theatre Green Book Resources:
Groups and individuals across theatre have been talking for some time about how to make theatre more sustainable and working on blueprints to promote change. The Theatre Green Book aims to bring that thinking together into one place, and develop it as straightforward, practical advice on the first steps everyone should be taking to make productions, theatre buildings and front-of-house operations sustainable.
This ‘Green Book’ of guidance for sustainable theatre will focus on first steps: what everyone can and should be doing to change their practice now, but it will also map out paths ahead, indicating what further steps might be needed to reach a sustainable future quickly.
You can find out more about the Green Book Initiative here
You can download Volume 1 of the Theatre Green Book: Sustainable Productions here
The ‘Beta’ version is now available for theatres to trial on re-opening shows and provide feedback on before the final version is released later in the year. https://theatregreenbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/THEATRE-GREEN-BOOK-ONE_beta1.pdf
You can register for trialing here
You can give feedback on the BETA Version here
You can find the Press Release for the Theatre Green Book Project launching here
Pledges and Declarations:
Eco Stage Pledge – The ecostage pledge is a public commitment and positive declaration to work ecologically in the performing arts sector. It includes a set of intersecting values, objectives and provocations for engaging with ecological practice. The pledge is envisioned as a conversation starter to help bring an ecological ethic to performance production and as a tool for motivating action. It also features an ecostage stamp to share on documentation. Join our global online community united by the firm belief in our collective capacity to effect change. Pledge to connect.
UK Live Performance Production Declares Climate & Biodiversity Emergency- is a global petition uniting all strands of the Live Performance Production industry. It is both a public declaration of our planet’s environmental crises and a commitment to take positive action in response to climate breakdown and biodiversity collapse.
Relevant Organisations:
Afforestt is a service provider for creating natural, wild, maintenance free, native forests. They work passionately on and off-site to provide the best solutions at the lowest possible cost.
Broadway Green Alliance (BGA) is an industry-wide initiative that educates, motivates, and inspires the entire theatre community and its patrons to implement environmentally friendlier practices on Broadway and beyond.
Cut It – Crew-led action for the climate crisis – The climate and ecological emergencies call for decisive action from the film and television industry. For action, we need a plan. For a plan we need a proper conversation. Cut It want to hold a cross department climate summit, uniting HODS and crew with established producers, top actors and industry bodies to establish how we can dramatically cut CO2 emissions and waste.
Centre for Sustainable Practice in the Arts is a Think Tank for Sustainability in the Arts and Culture
Ecostage: is the go-to place for practical guidelines and ecological values, that helps all performing arts practitioners make their practices more sustainable. Use this site for ideas, case studies, and resources.
The Ex’Tax Project Ex’tax is the proposal to put taxes on natural resources and pollution, and using the revenues to lower the tax burden on labour and increase (social) spending. Such tax reform creates incentives to save resources and the natural world. It also enables job creation and supports those who need it most.
Ex’tax enables an inclusive circular economy.
GreenClover is a company providing eco-friendly transport, storage & recycling services tailored to the entertainment industry for all scenic items.
The Green Theater (USA) shares knowledge about Green Theatre, ecological theatre, ecotheatre, sustainable theatre, environmental theatre and recycled theatre as well.
Julie’s Bicycle is a London based charity that supports the creative community to act on climate change and environmental sustainability. We believe that the creative community is uniquely placed to transform the conversation around climate change and translate it into action.
Provenance- enables great brands to communicate the origin and impact of their products. Increase engagement by connecting to shoppers’ changing values and help build a better world.
Reset Scenery – is a Scottish based, not for profit company dedicated to providing the Scottish Creative Arts sector with an environmentally responsible and economical alternative to landfill for its unwanted scenery, props & furniture.
Sustainability in Production Alliance – igniting sustainable culture change in the live production industry
The Set Exchange – The freecycle style website for Theatre, TV, Film and Event production.
Scene Change: A community for Stage Designers taking action for Theatre
Staging Change Forum: Sustainable Theatre
USITT (United States Institute for Theatre Technology): A Membership organisation which aims to advance the skills and knowledge of theatre, entertainment and performing arts professionals involved in the areas of design, production and technology, and to generally promote their interests.
World Economic Forum is committed to improving the state of the world, is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.
Pledges and Declarations:
Eco Stage Pledge – The ecostage pledge is a public commitment and positive declaration to work ecologically in the performing arts sector. It includes a set of intersecting values, objectives and provocations for engaging with ecological practice. The pledge is envisioned as a conversation starter to help bring an ecological ethic to performance production and as a tool for motivating action. It also features an ecostage stamp to share on documentation. Join our global online community united by the firm belief in our collective capacity to effect change. Pledge to connect.
UK Live Performance Production Declares Climate & Biodiversity Emergency- is a global petition uniting all strands of the Live Performance Production industry. It is both a public declaration of our planet’s environmental crises and a commitment to take positive action in response to climate breakdown and biodiversity collapse.
Sustainability Seminars:
ABTT Seminar: Sustainability – Is it time for System Change? – 10th June 2020
ABTT Seminar: Sustainability – It’s time for Systematic Change! – 29th July 2020
Online Resources
Relevant Training:
Online Training for Sustainability and Planet Placement by We Are Albert
Relevant Articles or Recordings:
Article: Liverpool Everyman theatre – our plan to become zero carbon
Article: Noises Off: The greening of theatre – Guardian Blog
Article: Palace Theatre goes from strength to strength as new era dawns in leisure
Article: Palace Theatre Redditch – Being Green
Article: People planting tiny urban forests to boost biodiversity and fight climate change
Article: Revolution in the Costume
Article: Sustainable Design and the SBTD
Article: Sustainability at Glastonbury
Article: The Sustainable Theatre Practice Treaty
Report: Green Theatre Report (Mayor of London) 2008
Sustainable materials and methods:
The Miyawaki’s forest restoration method
WeAreAlbert Production Handbook: Tips for making greener products
Sustainability and Liology:
Jeremy Lent – The Patterning Instinct (Book)
