EcoLiving Ideas

By Dede Tabak on Dec 1, 2009

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Start spreading the news – Broadway is going green! The Broadway Green Alliance (BGA), in collaboration with the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC) and support from the Mayor’s Office of Long Term Sustainability, is working with theaters to modify their practices to reduce their environmental impact and carbon footprint. The BGA launched in 2008 and consists of six committees that manage different aspects of the venture. Since its inception, theaters have switched their marquee lights to more energy efficient light bulbs, recycled items from closed shows, washed costumes with eco-friendly detergent in cold water, and switched to rechargeable batteries whenever possible. When shows go on tour, they offset the impact by investing money in renewable energy.

Audiences also may have noticed a greener “Wicked” and not just with Elphaba’s makeup. “Wicked” was one of the first shows to adapt greener practices after David Stone, producer of “Wicked”, saw “An Inconvenient Truth.” “I decided that night to challenge all of the companies of Wicked across North America to take a stand and protect our planet. I urge every show, theater, union, and vendor to support Broadway’s commitment to this very important plan to reduce individual consumption as well as the industry’s collective footprint.”

Now shows have even found ways to green the pre-development stages. One example is the Broadway musical based on the 1980 Dolly Parton film, “9 to 5.” Seth Greenleaf, a producer for “9 to 5” is also the chair of the BGA Education and Outreach Committee, and worked with other producers, cast, and crew to do everything possible to go green. Actors received refillable aluminum water bottles on the first day and scheduled rehearsals via email, to save paper. The show even went green onstage – in a scene where a copier shoots out paper, the crew used the sheets as scrap paper backstage. The show even sold t-shirts made from organic materials.
Continuing the trend, the BGA adapted the 63rd annual Tony Awards to be more eco-friendly. With help from the NRDC, they used renewable certificates to compensate for the electricity they were using, developed recycling practices and the use of eco-friendly materials, and the performers and presenters used hybrid cars for transportation. Even the red carpet was made out of recycled materials.

It is great to see the Broadway Green Alliance prove that even the smallest actions can make a difference. One of the most important things the BGA does is to educate the community on how everyone can help the environment. They spread the word via eco-tips in Playbills for the audience to take home and they publish additional information on their own website, as well as the websites for specific shows. With the help of BGA’S eco-friendly practices, our planet will not just be a singular sensation, but a green one as well.