department
Lighting & Sound
Pre-production
Advocate Renewables. With your producer or production manager, gently enquire with your venue as to their energy supplier, and ask if they would be open to switching to a 100% renewable provider. The venue may not decide to change immediately, but if enough artists start a conversation, they will get the message! Greenpeace has recently ranked the top renewable energy providers in Australia by state, which can be found here. This may also be a chance to start a conversation about the venue updating their lighting rig to more energy-efficient equipment, which will also save them money in the long run.
Print Less. If feasible, request digital scripts instead of hard copies. Alternatively, ask your stage manager for double-sided scripts that have page breaks for new scenes/acts. That way, if major edits occur, the entire script does not have to be reprinted.
Maximise Efficiency. Design your lighting rig to maximise the coverage and effect of minimal lights. Try to use contrast instead of brightness in your lighting designs to reduce the wattage required.
Hire Less. Prioritise the use of existing venue lighting and avoid hiring equipment wherever possible to reduce transport emissions. For short seasons (1-2 weeks), your emissions footprint will generally be lower by using existing, potentially less energy-efficient fixtures, than it will if you hire and transport equipment.
Go Local. Where you do have to hire equipment, try as much as possible to use suppliers who have environmental policies and are local, to reduce travel emissions.
production
Use LED. Preference low energy bulbs and use as many LED lighting fixtures as possible. LEDs offer several environmental benefits including a longer lifespan, significantly lower power requirements, dynamic design and usage (so fewer fixtures and gels are required), and lower heat output (so you don’t have to turn the air con on to cool the venue down).
Optimize Audio. Preference self-powered speakers (where applicable), which are more energy efficient.
Reuse Batteries. Use rechargeable nickel-metal hydride batteries rather than disposable alkaline ones.
Ditch Tape. Try not to use cable ties, electrical tape, or gaffa. Instead, use bungee cords, clamps, velcro straps, or sash ties. See our Sustainable Materials Guide for more information.
Chat with the set designer for ways you could collaborate to hide cables or run them safely without the need for tape or visible cable traps.
Go Digital. If possible, use a digital rather than an analogue sound desk. Use low-wattage and energy-efficient products e.g. Harman Crown XLS, Dobson Sounds pulse-width modulation systems.
Tour. If the show will have a touring life, create two show files to accommodate venues with LED fixtures and those without.
Power Down. Turn it off if it’s not in active use. This includes lighting rigs, PSUs, three-phase power, dimmer racks, sound desks, and speakers.
Consider designing your AV set-up so all power switches are easily accessible, particularly with any rigged equipment.
Switch off discharge lighting between the end of the reset/rig check and the half-hour call before the show starts, and between matinee and evening performances. The National Theatre (UK) has done this and seen no ill effect on equipment operation.
POST-production
Dispose. Lighting gels are made from petroleum and not recyclable. Ensure you file them away for future use or find community groups or schools who may be able to reuse your old gels and practicals after the season.
Recycle. Ensure you recycle all batteries and electrical equipment appropriately at the end of the season. Remember that not all e-waste can generally be disposed of at the same location. See our Production Disposal Directory for more information.
References
Arts on Tour (2022). “Green Touring Toolkit”. Sydney: Arts on Tour. Accessed April 6, 2022. https://artsontour.com.au/green-touring/
Buro Happold (2021). “The Theatre Green Book 1: Sustainable Productions”. London: Buro Happold & Renew Theatre. Accessed January 16, 2022. https://theatregreenbook.com/wpcontent/uploads/2021/03/THEATRE-GREEN-BOOK-ONE_beta1.pdf
Julie’s Bicycle (2013). “Lighting” in Sustainable Production Guide. London: Julie’s Bicycle. Accessed January 16, 2022. https://juliesbicycle.com/wpcontent/uploads/2022/01/Sustainable_Production_Guide_2013.pdf
Live Performance Australia (2014). “Greener Live Performances Through Energy Efficiency Factsheet: Energy Efficient Sound”. Melbourne: Live Performance Australian & The Department of Industry. Accessed March 16, 2022. https://greener.liveperformance.com.au/uploads/pages/9/Energy_Efficient_Sound_Factsheet.pdf
Live Performance Australia (2014). “Greener Live Performances Through Energy Efficiency Factsheet: Energy Efficient Stage Lighting”. Melbourne: Live Performance Australian & The Department of Industry. Accessed March 16, 2022. https://greener.liveperformance.com.au/uploads/pages/9/fact_sheet__energy_efficient_stage_lighting.pdf
Office of the Mayor of London (2008). “Green Theatre”. London: Greater London Authority. Accessed March 14, 2022. https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/green_theatre_summary.pdf
White Light (2020). “White Light Green Guide”. London: White Light Ltd. Accessed January 14, 2022. https://sustainablepractice.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Green-Guide.pdf