Broadways carbon footprint

I hear it’s quite high. What are they doing to lower our carbon emissions? I don’t hear any costume designers talking about upcycling. I don’t believe these theaters are run on green energy. Certainly all those playbills that mostly get thrown away don’t help. What needs to be done here? The broadway green alliance hasn’t changed much.

The natural energies of the earth that don’t heat up the planet and are renewable. Thermal, Wind, solar, biomass, hydropower, ocean energy.

The common practice in NYC of high-net-worth people having a chauffered car idling for them outside the building they're in (and Ubers doing the same for people who order it too early) is no doubt a greater source of carbon emissions than all of Broadway. And some of those private-car people are Broadway producers/landlords/investors, and some might also be Private Plane People.

While I'm sure there are improvements that can be made to Broadway's carbon footprint, it's likely a fraction of what the film & TV industries emit.

Just to focus on costumes because it's what you brought up . . .

• The TDF Costume Collection is a great example of resources being utilized by multiple shows.
• Consistency is the name of the game. "Upcycling" and thrifting are done, but if you have a shirt for the principal, you also need a backup shirt, and you need to be able to replicate it quickly and in the most cost-effective way possible (because of ripping/spilling, or future productions). So that means either buying from a brand manufacturer or custom-designing it.
• Any custom or delicate items have to be drycleaned multiple times per week, and drycleaning contributes to CO2 emissions.
• Delicate materials need climate-controlled spaces too, which means 24/7 AC.
• On the road, a vast physical production with lots of costumes means more big trucks going from city to city.

The Sondheim Theatre is a "LEED GOLD" space: https://www.usgbc.org/articles/broadway-leed-makes-sondheim-theatre-healthier-and-more-beautiful-video

Updated On: 7/24/24 at 10:45 AM

Broadway Flash said: "Do we know how much upcycling of sceneryand costumes is going on? Why don’t they build a cleaner place in midtown. Wouldn't that be easier for everybody? And much less gas."

There's no straight answer to this. It's going to vary show to show. Cost, appearance, and practicality are the sole major factors when building a show. Unless there's government legislation or extreme tax incentives, "upcycling" is never going to happen on a massive scale.

Sometimes entire packages of scenery/props and costumes get saved and rented out or purchased after a show closes, if an agreement between the producer, the union designer, and others can be made. There's your upcycling.

Theatre people are meticulous on Broadway. Designers and directors have extremely specific ideas about how things should look. That's their job.

Regional theatres do a lot of repurposing for budgetary reasons (repainting lumber, saving hardware and using it until the screws are stripped, reusing costume assets that they own, having a Props Storage). They can do that because they own these things and have a place to store them. A Broadway show is a startup and a musical is being built to last many years.

I don't know what you mean by "build a cleaner place" or who "they," is but drycleaning occurs primarily 10 miles away in the Bronx via Winzer Cleaners, which offers the best rates & level of expertise. Anything occurring in walking distance from the theatres is going to skyrocket because of rent costs. And large/heavy things would still probably have to be trucked.

Don't rag on the Broadway Green Alliance. They are a vital environmental initiative working within the Broadway community to inspire, educate, and implement eco-friendly practices. Since its inception in 2008, the BGA has been dedicated to fostering sustainable practices in all areas of theater production, from reducing waste and conserving energy to promoting green design and transportation. They have successfully launched numerous projects, such as recycling programs for sets and costumes, energy-efficient lighting installations, and initiatives to reduce carbon footprints across productions. To further their mission, the BGA welcomes volunteers to contribute their time and skills, offering opportunities to get involved in everything from hands-on recycling efforts to advocacy and educational outreach. Volunteering with the BGA is a meaningful way to support environmental sustainability while becoming an integral part of the vibrant Broadway community.

For sure check out their website if you are interested in the intersectional work of theater and environmentalism.

https://www.broadwaygreen.com/

Updated On: 7/25/24 at 10:21 AM

LED lights are usually the budget-friendly choice, but sometimes the more oldschool LDs prefer to use gels and other types of lighting instruments because it offers a softer look. So it's a creative consideration, a budgetary consideration, and an environmental consideration.