BGA Better Practices:
Pre/Post-Production

Designers

  • Design for the environment by designing scenery that reduces the amount of material used in its construction.
  • Design with LED lighting (or another energy efficient alternative) when possible.
  • Reuse sets or costumes from previous productions when designing a new show.
  • Encourage scenic, costume and lighting shops to use recycled materials.
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  • Utilize vendors who provide recycled materials and reduce their own company's emission of greenhouse gases.
  • Utilize local vendors as opposed to having products shipped across the country.
  • Implement green practices in your office
  • Ensure that any waste produced is sent to a local recycling facility.
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Shops

  • Establish a greening policy and implement green practices for your shop, including the office.
  • Put someone in your operation in charge of green procedures as a resource for all your employees and clients.
  • Utilize recycled and reusable materials when possible.
  • Utilize a local waste management company that is committed to recycling.
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  • Adopt construction methods that reduce the amount of material used.
  • Use non-toxic, biodegradable materials in the construction and maintenance of costumes and sets.
  • Use vendors who use green practices in their product development and deployment.
  • Use local vendors when possible.
  • Develop special effects (e.g., fog, fire) with environmentally responsible materials.
  • Utilize LED lighting when possible.
  • Use rechargeable batteries in battery-operated devices and recycle any non-rechargeable batteries.
  • Offer designers ways to re-purpose sets and costumes from previous productions.
  • Partner with local material donation organizations (e.g., Materials for the Arts, WasteMatch) to facilitate the re-use of sets, costumes and props.
  • Maintain facilities for the storage of sets, costumes and lighting for re-use.
  • Encourage producers and general managers to recycle sets and costumes upon the closing of a show.
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Helpful Resources


BGA Better Practices: Production

COMPANY AWARENESS & IMPLEMENTATION

  • Beginning with the first call to the actors and staff regarding schedule and location of rehearsals, let them know that greener practices will be incorporated into the production.
  • On the first day of rehearsal, point out the ways that the production will be working to implement better green practices.
  • Offer cast and staff reuseable bottles instead of disposable, plastic water bottles (branded with show logo - makes great first rehearsal gift).
  • Provide mugs to use instead of disposable cups.
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  • Ensure that cast and staff have labels for water bottles and mugs, as well as access to natural/organic dish washing solution.
  • Explain that recycling is mandatory and make the recycling containers easily accessible.
  • In rooms without motion sensing light switches, post notices by all light switches (especially in bathrooms) reminding people to turn off the lights when leaving a room. Click here for template; personalize with show logo.
  • Point out that the paperwork the company is given, if any, has been printed on either post-consumer content recycled paper or reused scrap paper - print on both sides where possible.
  • Remind colleagues, company members and outside parties that they will receive their notices by email instead of hard copies, unless requested otherwise.
  • Use tissues made with a high percentage of post-consumer recycled content in the rehearsal hall. (Go to www.nrdc.org/paper for a list of environmentally preferable tissue products).
  • Encourage the company to recycle their payroll envelopes - offer a place for company members to return their envelopes to company management.
  • Use power strips and turn off all computers, printers, sound systems and any other electronic equipment in rehearsal room at the end of the day.
  • Use only the air conditioning that you need for rehearsal, and make sure any A/C units are turned off at the end of the day.
  • Utilize energy-efficient CFL light bulbs wherever possible.
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CONTINUING AWARENESS

  • When a production moves into the performance space, remind the cast that most of the better green practices will continue in their new space.
  • Point out recycling receptacles during initial backstage tours.
  • Make sure the cast knows where their mugs and water bottles are located.
  • Ensure that cast members have labels for water bottles and mugs, as well as access to natural/organic dish washing solution.
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  • Post strategically placed reminders in dressing rooms, reminding cast members to turn off lights and electronics - click here for template; personalize with show logo.
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REDUCING PAPER WASTE

  • Keep minimum advance storage of program inserts or print inserts on an as-needed basis.
  • If you must store inserts, print 6 per page instead of 4 per page.
  • If you can print your own stuffers, compile all listings on one half-sheet page.
  • Use only 100% recycled paper, with a goal of minimum post-consumer content of 30%.
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  • Print on the back of scrap paper whenever possible.
  • Use old inserts and stuffers as note pads/scratch pads.
  • Utilize both sides of the paper on spiral notebooks or legal pads.
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DEPARTMENTAL EFFORTS

Wardrobe:
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  • Wash clothes in cold water.
  • Airdry clothes when possible.
  • Reuse old t-shirts as rags.
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Sound:
  • Use rechargeable batteries whenever possible.
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  • Recycle partially used batteries.
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Carpentry / Props:
  • Consider environmentally-sound versions paints, glues, solvents, etc.
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  • Properly dispose of hazardous liquids, such as paint, paint thinners, glues, etc.
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LONG-RUNNING SHOWS

  • Meet with the entire company to discuss the implementation of these better practices, and point out all recycling areas in the building.
  • Post reminders for the company throughout the building. See documents below for template.
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  • Make a "green package" to hand out to new company members along with their welcome package and give them a list of the ways that the company is trying to reduce their carbon footprint.
  • Point out recycling centers to new company members when they get their tour of the theatre.
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GENERAL


Helpful Documents


BGA Better Practices: Venues

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

  • Seek out a local utility to complete an energy audit, to provide a baseline for energy and cost saving discoveries.
  • Convert all exterior and ancillary lamps, where feasible, to energy-efficient CFL or LED bulbs.
  • Turn off lights when not needed. For example, the house lights can be turned off after the cleaning crew and porters have finished in the morning. Lights do not need to stay on for the entire shift while staffers clean other areas in the venue.
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  • Encourage actors and production staff to turn off window air conditioners and unplug all unnecessary electronics when they are not in use.
  • Invest in more energy-efficient HVAC systems as venues are restored/upgraded.
  • Investigate the addition of motion-sensor lighting where practical.
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WASTE MANAGEMENT

  • Commit to a more aggressive recycling policy, including waste and refuse from production staff, concessions, maintenance crew and patrons.
  • Ensure proper recycling of lamps containing mercury.
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  • Ensure proper recycling of batteries, toners and electronic waste.
  • Utilize greener administrative practices in executive offices, including a commitment to reduced paper usage.
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PROCUREMENT

  • Convert to green cleaning products, which alleviate staff and patron environmental health exposures.
  • Use recycled paper products that contain at least 30% post consumer content.
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  • Make environmentally informed choices during theatre renovations as facility projects arise.
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WATER CONSERVATION

  • Conserve and manage water consumption and sewer waste.
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  • Examine investment in water-efficient bathroom fixtures, including low-flow sinks and waterless urinals.
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GENERAL


Helpful Documents


BGA Better Practices: Touring

General

  • Read these tips together with the Better Practices for Venues, Pre- and Post-Production, Production and Education and Outreach, which apply to shows in one location as well as tours.
  • Establish a green team responsible for identifying and implementing greener practices.
  • Implement the green practices in your offices found here.

Venues

  • Implement better practices for venues found here.
  • Communicate in advance with shows and personnel appearing at your venue your greening practices and requirements.
  • Have appropriate signage and communications on site to make it easy for temporary users of your venue to recycle and follow your other greening practices.
  • Implement a green rider to contracts that sets out requirements for greener conduct in your venue.
  • Utilize standard materials across productions to facilitate reuse and greener production runs.
  • Transition subscribers to digital communications and subscriptions.
  • Communicate with audiences using the better practices for Outreach found here.

Pre- and Post-Production

  • Design and produce touring sets and equipment to minimize energy usage for operating and transporting the show.
  • Work with organizations that use recycled material for other causes (e.g. pantyhose used for malaria nets).
  • Identify other channels for reuse or recycling of materials left over after productions depart.
  • Implement better practices for Pre- and Post-Production found here.

Production

  • Train production team in application of greener practices for multiple venues.
  • Implement a green rider to contracts that sets out requirements for greener conduct at venues where your show appears, such as requiring recycling receptacles, etc.
  • Implement better practices for Production found here.

Touring

  • Implement electronic processing of contracts, using PDF's rather than mail, where possible.
  • Develop an efficient tour schedule and packing plan.
  • Use trucking companies committed to greener practices, such as proper tire inflation and reduction of idling.
  • Invest in wind power and other high quality programs to offset the remaining impact of transportation.
  • Use bus companies committed to greener practices, such as proper tire inflation, reduction of idling, etc. and purchase offsets for the remaining impact.
  • Utilize standard materials across venues to facilitate reuse and economical greener production runs.
  • Implement a green rider to contracts that sets out requirements for greener conduct at venues where your show appears, such as requiring recycling receptacles, etc.
  • Have press agents let local media know in advance about your greening efforts.

Helpful Documents


BGA Better Practices: Outreach

Climate change results from the cumulative effect of millions of actions and will be addressed by changing a large number of small actions. Outreach backstage and with audiences can play an important part in generating action small and large.

Audience communications

1. Communicate about your greening actions.
  • Greening actions are contagious.
  • Actions are unpredictable — individuals inspired to act often find powerful expressions in their own lives and businesses. Audiences care about greening efforts.
  • If using eco-friendly paper products in bathrooms, let people know. If not, consider switching to them or air dryers. Remind people to use only what they need.
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  • If you have eco-friendly merchandise or concession options, help guide and encourage people to those choices.
  • If you're separating recyclables in your theatre, make those signs clear and noticeable.
  • Display your BGA membership where patrons can see it and learn more.
Communicate about greening actions in multiple ways:
  • Include in Playbills or other programs.
  • Post signs in lobbies, restrooms and other areas.
  • Mention in electronic and other marketing communications.
  • Announce from stage.
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2. Communicate about what audience members can do at home and at work.
  • Communicate with your audience via email, reducing the need for paper and mailing.
  • Print flyers, inserts, and other paper products on recycled paper and/or FSC certified paper --- Include information on the type of paper used, such as "Printed on 30% recycled paper".
  • Use mobile campaigns in theatre to help capture names and reduce paper use.
  • Put an environmentally aware signature on your emails, such as "Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail".
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  • Create green promotions like discount tickets for carpooling or people cycling to the theatre. Encourage the use of public transit or biking/walking.
  • Create dialogues about the issue between casts and audiences.
  • Link to the BGA and NRDC on the theatre web-site for tips and greening advisors.
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3. Marketing.
  • Buy 100% post-consumer recycled paper for your office.
  • Utilize vendors who are committed to green practices.
  • Speak to your printers about using eco-friendly inks and paper.
  • Mandate double-sided printing and explore paperless options.
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  • Replace program inserts with signage or announcements when possible - otherwise, use best efforts to combine multiple inserts to single inserts.
  • Choose organic & eco-friendly alternatives when selecting merchandise for promotional purposes.
  • Look into eco-friendly alternatives to plastic for CD covers & inserts.
  • Buy office supplies and equipment locally.
  • Buy in bulk to reduce shipping pollution and packaging waste.
  • Reuse shipping boxes whenever possible.
  • Consider electrics or hybrids when using a car service for celebrities or press events.
  • Maintain facilities for the storage of signage for re-use.
  • Consider PowerPoint presentations and emailed charts/figures instead of multiple lengthy handouts at marketing meetings.
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GENERAL

  • Create an internal Green Team to develop green initiatives and goals.
  • Establish a green policy for the office.

Helpful Documents