In the quest to be more environmentally responsible, the Broadway theatre community announced this week the launch of ‘Broadway Goes Green,’ an industry-wide initiative to reduce Broadway’s carbon footprint, adopt environmentally sustainable practices and promote environmental awareness in the creation and presentation of Broadway shows.
In collaboration with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), an early goal of the initiative is to assess current practices and to disseminate information regarding greener practices to the Broadway theatre community. All segments of the industry–including producers, theatre owners, designers, managers, design shops and others–have developed goals for the first year of this long-term initiative and have already adopted better practices to enhance Broadway’s role as a leader in environmental sustainability.
With the support of Mayor Bloomberg’s office and guidance by the NRDC, leaders of the Broadway theatre community have organized unique groups to focus on the three primary phases of Broadway shows: 1) theatre venue operations; 2) the day-to-day running of shows, and; 3) the creation of shows from concept to stage. These groups will continue to develop and enhance its action plan to adopt greener practices for Broadway theatre and to promote greener practices to Broadway audiences.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said, "There’s no question that New York owes much of its greatness to Broadway. These stages fuel dreams … they fuel our city’s economy by attracting tourists from far and wide … and they also fuel a spirit of civic pride and social activism that dates all the way back to the early 1900s, when performers put on shows to support the soldiers in World War I. Today, Broadway producers, theater owners, and performers are joining another historic fight: to keep our city and our planet healthy."
Dr. Allen Hershkowitz, Senior Scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), commented, "As Broadway shifts its theatre productions toward environmentally preferable operations, its influence and leadership will reverberate throughout the entertainment world. Broadway’s unique global visibility and unparalleled cultural influence offers a rare opportunity to move the marketplace towards environmentally intelligent products and, at the same time, help theaters save money and inspire their patrons. Bravo to Broadway for its leadership on this critical issue."
Shows in pre-production, long-running shows, and theatre owners have designated the following goals to achieve within one year:
- To review opportunities that will provide greener alternatives for new shows, from the initial design stage through the disposition of scenery at the close of production; to develop educational initiatives and begin the process of providing information for producers, creatives, and vendors designed to reduce the environmental impact of sets, costumes, lighting and transportation
- To disseminate to running shows information about proven techniques to reduce their carbon emissions, waste, and other ecological impacts, including more efficient use of energy, water & paper; to begin the development of a website, linking industry & audience members to lists of ecologically better practices; to create community forums to share news & ideas
- To implement and share better practices with theatre production and show venues across the country.
Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of The Broadway League said, "This initiative and this commitment brings together the entire Broadway community. We’ve established three committees and they have begun practice and the adoption of better practices as the first step of an ongoing process in making Broadway greener. More task forces will be developed as more people get involved."
David Stone, Wicked Producer, said, "I’d always believed that the environmental movement didn’t require my attention and was being handled by professionals and activists, until I saw An Inconvenient Truth. I decided that night to challenge all of the companies of Wicked across North America to take a stand to protect our planet. I urge every show, theatre, union and vendor to support Broadway’s commitment to this very important plan to reduce individual consumption as well as the industry’s collective carbon footprint."
Some community members are already taking The Broadway League, founded in 1930, is the national trade association for the Broadway industry. The League’s 600-plus members include theatre owners and operators, producers, presenters, and general managers in over 240 North American cities, as well as suppliers of goods and services to the theatre industry. Each year, League members bring Broadway to nearly 30 million people in New York and on tour across the U.S. and Canada.
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