Sustainable Production Guide

We’ve condensed what we have learnt into a series of checklists, for each role in the production process, separated into pre-production, production, and post-production. The chapters in the guide cover:

• Production Management
• Lighting
• Sound and AV
• Set Design, Scenic Art and Construction
• Wardrobe and Stage Fabrics
• Cast
• Communications and Marketing

We realise each organisation may be at different points of their sustainable transition, so we’ve also categorised the suggested actions included in each check list into three levels: ‘sustainability starting points’ at the baseline level, ‘industry good practice’ in the middle, and ‘leading ideas’ for those that are at the forefront of this movement. Because the checklists are formulated by role some repetition occurs throughout the guide – we don’t expect users to read the guide from cover to cover but focus on their role or department.

We’ve also included case studies, useful tips and signposted key resources. We recognise that for production, sustainability must hold its own with a long list of other competing priorities. With that in mind, we’ve provided options that will work the way you do and will help you to continue making great art for less financial and environmental cost, far into the future.

There are many who added to the insight and advice provided in this guide. We would like to thank the team behind the Young Vic’s production of After Miss Julie (March–April 2012), for providing a host of insights into the practicalities of sustainable production; the team at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama for furthering the process of experimentation with us; our reviewers Robin Barton, Tanja Beer, Richard Couldrey and Kate Ward and all those who provided case study material for this guide.