In this short time, the BGA has grown into an industry-wide initiative to adopt environmentally friendlier practices in all aspects of theatre production and everyday life.
BGA participants are taking actions, both large and small, all helping improve our industry’s impact on the environment. The BGA has been working with the Mayor’s Office for Long Term Planning and Sustainability to help achieve Mayor Bloomberg’s PlaNYC goal of reducing New York City’s carbon footprint by 30% by 2030 and with the Times Square Alliance to help make a greener theatre district.
Since the initiative’s launch, the bright lights of Broadway have gone green – nearly all of Broadway theatres have converted marquee and roof signs to LED, cold cathode or CFL bulbs. Additionally, most venues are participating in new recycling and energy curtailment programs, as well as switching to more eco-friendly cleaning products and appliances. Many Broadway theatres have begun to use water filtration systems so that actors and crew members can use refillable containers instead of plastic bottles. Crews at theatres on Broadway and across the country have been recharging and recycling batteries, and using organic laundry detergent alternatives among other cost-saving and environmentally-responsible procurement choices. The Green Sheet, a bi-monthly newsletter published by the Production Committee containing green news and tips, is widely distributed within the theatre community, as well as to interested fans. Facility directors, stage managers and designated Green Captains are tracking resource use of running productions in order to determine green guidelines and goals.
The BGA’s work extends beyond the life of a theatrical production, taking into account the impact that a show’s closing can have on the local ecosystem. Using information disseminated by the BGA’s Pre-/Post-Production Committee, the eight Broadway shows that closed in January 2009 recycled or reused 88% of their scenery, instead of sending it to landfill. The Committee also is working with manufacturers about offering greener options for designing and building scenery in the first place.
With the support of the Broadway community, the BGA has infused various industry events with environmental ethos. All Broadway theatres participated in Earth Hour on March 28, 2009 by dimming marquee lights from 8:30-9:30pm. The 2009 Tony Awards was the greenest ever, featuring improvements such as hybrid limousines for hosts and presenters, recycling bins in the offices and lobbies, a red carpet made from recycled materials, renewable power donated by Suez Energy, and the first greener Playbills, printed on 30% post-consumer recycled paper, thanks to support from Lipton Tea.
The BGA has gone nationwide, bringing together venues and shows touring across the country. Touring shows participating in Touring Green have offset over 4,000 tons of carbon emissions from moving their productions by investing in wind power, methane digesters and other projects through Native Energy.In Fall 2009, the BGA conducted a survey of the road and touring community focused on examining greening practices. The survey showed that greening activities are blossoming throughout the road community, with significant progress in paper usage reduction, energy reduction and recycling initiatives, and green cleaning procedures
With the launch of this new BroadwayGreen.com website, generously donated by Situation Interactive, the BGA will expand its reach across the country. Theatre practitioners, artists, producers, administrators, managers, designers, educators, technicians, shops, fans and environmentalists will be able to follow the BGA’s progress, and participate in an online dialogue to provide input about the BGA’s ongoing efforts through forums established on Facebook and Twitter.
In this first year, membership has grown rapidly to include all Broadway venues and many theatres in New York and throughout the country; producers, directors, managers, actors and individuals involved in the production of Broadway shows; theatrical industry labor unions, including Actors’ Equity Association, Local 802 AF or M, ATPAM, SDC, Local One and Local 764 TWU; set production, costumes, lighting, sound, public relations, advertising, transportation and other companies that work primarily with Broadway. These organizations and individuals are united in the commitment to make the theatre industry more environmentally responsible.
THE GREAT GREEN WAY
The Broadway Green Alliance held an E-Waste event in Times Square with hosts Kerry Butler and Valerie Smaldone. Broadway stars came up to dispose of E-Waste and sing a song created for the Broadway Green Alliance. See the New York Times Arts Beat article on the event.
THE IATSE IS SEEING GREEN
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees released their official 4th quarter bulletin with a Seeing Green feature including the Broadway Green Alliance.
BROADWAY GREEN ALLIANCE E-WASTE EVENT
A Broadway Green Alliance E-Waste event, hosted by Kerry Butler and Valerie Smaldone, will be held on Wednesday, December 16, in Duffy Square, Times Square at noon. The event encourages the New York City theatre community to come deposit their Electronic Waste.
THE GREAT WHITE WAY GETS GREENER
Coverage by the New York Times of the BGA’s “Broadway Goes Green” kickoff event with Mayor Michael Bloomberg in November 2008.
THE 2009 TONY AWARDS
The Tony Awards celebrate the best in theatre each year. Read about our efforts that made the 2009 Tony Awards the greenest ever.
STARS TALK ABOUT GETTING GREENER
Watch Stephanie J. Block of “9 to 5” explain the different greener practices happening backstage.
BROADWAY SHOWS TOUR GREENER
Broadway shows that tour are working to offset the carbon they produce while traveling across the country.
BROADWAY GREEN ALLIANCE AFTER ONE YEAR
One year after The Broadway League and Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the launch of the Broadway Green Alliance (BGA), initially called Broadway Goes Green, the BGA is pleased to report on a remarkable year of greening progress, fueled by its members with guidance from the Natural Resources Defense Council.
