On Tuesday, June 11th, members of the Broadway community gathered at the Gershwin Theater for a Town Hall Meeting entitled “It’s Easy Being Green.” The event was held by Wicked producer David Stone, who began the event by explaining that “[theatre producers and artists] have a defining impact on the world in which we live.” Stone believes that the greening of the New York theatre industry must be a community effort, not a “top-down approach.”

The event featured special guest speaker Allen Hershkowitz, Ph.D., a senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and environmental adviser to the Oscars, the Grammys, Major League Baseball, and the NBA.  Hershkowitz explained that the theatre community “needs to mimic the biological process in [our] approach to theatre.”   He went on to explain how the materials utilized in the theatrical process can add up to have devastating affects on the planet. For example, paper is the number one cause of global deforestation in the world, accounting for more than 20% of all carbon emissions.

Hershkowitz noted that 80% of all native wetlands in New York are gone. He stressed that in order to preserve the little natural resources we have left in the region, theatre practitioners and participants must reduce our carbon footprints by re-examining the resources we utilize from a production’s initial designs to closing night. Finding “cost effective, eco-healing materials to create [our] theatrical magic is a hard task”, but one that many of the town hall meeting’s participants have committed to. Hershkowitz noted that we must review the supply chain for any of our company’s procurement or operations decisions and analyze how the choices we make can affect our production’s overall carbon footprint. By purchasing green versions of the products required for theatrical production, we can send a collective signal to the marketplace that Broadway has joined in fighting our global crisis.

Members of the Wicked company shared how they have greened operations at their show. Company Manager Susan Sampliner explained how they’re ordering less reserves of Playbill inserts, double-siding printed materials, switching to email-based memos and house seats requests, placing recycling bins around the building, and recycling hazardous waste used for the production. Wicked actress Christy Candler noted that company members have been given a reusable plastic container to use for water during performances. A member of Wicked’s wardrobe staff explained how laundry is now cleaned in cold-water, low-power loads using a plant based, highly concentrated organic laundry detergent. Mark Overton, Wicked’s Head Carpenter, discussed how the crew has been reclaiming about 28 lamps a month that would otherwise head to the landfill. He also noted that the design team has switch to LED lights where possible. The carpentry team has switched to using recycled oils, low-VOC paints, and natural cleaning products.

Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of the Broadway League, announced that Nina Lannan, the Board Chair for the League, is developing an ad hoc committee to disseminate information and best practices for Broadway to go green. The committee will include producers, general managers, and theatrical designers. Melissa Wright of the Mayor’s Office announced that the city was in the process of putting together carbon inventories and energy analysis of the Broadway community.

Members from Jujamcyn Theatres explained how they are converting the illumination under their marquees to LED lights and switching to green cleaning products in their theatres. Additionally, a spokesmen from The New 42nd Street noted that they had switched to purchasing their energy from renewable power sources, with an additional cost of only 4%. Charlie Duell, Executive Vice President of Clark Transfer, explained the Touring Green program they have started to offset the carbon emitted from touring productions.  (For more on Touring Green, see this article.)

John Connelly, Executive Director of Actor’s Equity Association (AEA), suggested an overall assessment of our industry as the necessary first step to green Broadway. He added that many unions, including AEA, are working to address the remaining industrial practices across our country. Actress Kate Weatherhead suggested assigning an “Environmental Deputy”, in addition to AEA’s required Equity Deputies, to ensure that cast members are doing their part to lessen their environmental impact during the theatrical process. She also suggested that producers think green when purchasing opening night cards and gifts.

Nancy Coyne, CEO of Serino Coyne theatrical advertising, suggested that the Broadway community develop some environmental themes for yearly events and concerts. Another participant suggested that the Tony Awards work towards being a zero-emissions award ceremony in 2009. Producer Margo Lion added that Kids’ Night on Broadway might be a way to educate future audiences about Broadway’s green initiatives. David Stone suggested that the Broadway League’s current education initiatives be used to educate all audiences about the steps Broadway is taking toward sustainable production, and the steps audiences can take at home.

Bob Usdin, President of Showman Fabricators, explained how his company has already begun to explore using low-VOC paints, organic and recycled materials, etc. in building sets. But Usdin added that “[he] can only [go green] if it’s a priority to general managers and designers” in the Broadway community. Other major suggestions at the meeting included further exploring ticketless admission via cell phone scanning, signage at theatres to educate audiences about green initiatives, and an industry-wide call to begin printing Playbills on post-consumer recycled content.

Tuesday’s event was a very successful first dialogue among those responsible for what gets produced on New York City’s stages. Those present, and their staffs, must continue to explore green methods toward their particular piece of the theatrical puzzle and communicate their successes with the community. If so, Broadway will be well on its way toward addressing the environmental issues of the city and planet upon which our theatrical works are created.