The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) made meaningful strides toward sustainability in theatre during its 2022–2023 season, led by a passionate team of 15 College Green Captains. With strong departmental support, every member received a reusable water bottle to help reduce single-use plastic waste.

Stage managers embraced a paperless workflow using Google Drive for rehearsal reports, attendance, and production notes—saving over 400 pages per show and more than 8,000 pages annually by switching to digital programs.

The department’s production of Somewhere: A Primer for the End of Days followed principles from the Theater Green Book, with at least 50% reused materials and over 65% repurposed post-show. Scenic elements included recycled cardboard “dirt,” reused platforms and ramps, and butterfly puppets crafted from 350+ chip bags. In recognition of their passion and dedication, the student team was named Sustainability Ambassadors by the UTRGV Office for Sustainability.