SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR REOPENING THEATRE

The theatre community has made great strides in sustainability over the last decade. As we consider how to reopen our theatres and return to work, we have the opportunity to further integrate sustainable solutions into our protocols. Prioritizing health and safety does not need to come at the expense of the environment. In fact, the COVID-19 crisis shines a spotlight on the inextricable link between the health and safety of our people and our planet.

Our industry faces an enormous number of challenges and a series of interconnected crises, from the economic impacts of COVID-19 to a much-needed reckoning with systemic racism to climate change. These issues are intersectional and we now have a unique opportunity to redefine our priorities to promote social and environmental well-being.

This document is not intended to replace or supersede Health and Safety requirements - it is a companion document, intended to assist in decision-making at all levels and provide sustainable resources for consideration in those decisions.

This document was written by and for the Broadway, off-Broadway, and touring theatre community and, as such, provides many NYC-focused vendors and solutions. However, the recommendations are applicable to theatre makers and artists in any location. We suggest readers seek out local, comparable alternatives and reach out to the Broadway Green Alliance for assistance or to share suggestions.

Backstage Toolkit

This guide outlines solutions that directly address the needs presented by COVID-19, to keep the health of our planet and all who inhabit it at the forefront of our efforts to rebuild our industry. We know that some of these suggestions are changes in the way things have been done. We’ll continue to update this Toolkit with your feedback and as guidance changes - it is a living document. Please email questions to the BGA.

LAST UPDATED ON: 03/01/2022

Click on the boxes below to access each section of the Toolkit.

Backstage Toolkit - Spanish Translation

We are thrilled to share the full-length Spanish translation of our Greener Reopening Toolkit. The BGA was introduced to María Calderón at the 2021 Broadway Stage Management Symposium and she volunteered to translate our Greener Reopening Toolkit to Spanish. María is an actor, writer, translator, and director in training who graduated from SMU Meadows School of the Arts with a BFA in Theatre Studies.

Backstage Toolkit Authors