(in partnership with Julie’s Bicycle)

We will be outlining the theoretical framework for sustainability (carbon literacy, objectives, net-zero targets) and what it means for a cultural (theatre) institution; also, touch upon policy matters and the example of the Arts Council in the UK and other countries, as well as leadership issues towards organisational change in theatres, including practical steps and methodologies.

Expert input: Chiara Badiali, Knowledge and Sector Intelligence Lead, Julie’s Bicycle

This session explores creative manifestations of sustainability in the theatre — including a selected global overview of artists who have engaged with issues of climate change and the environment on stage, as well as a brief introduction to eco-criticism and eco-dramaturgy.

Expert input: Iphigenia Taxopoulou, Secretary General, Mitos21; Caroline Barneaud, Director of Artistic and International Projects, Théâtre de Vidy – Sustainable Theatre; Darious Ghavami, Sustainability Coordinator, Théâtre de Vidy – Sustainable Theatre

This session covers buildings, operations and tools around carbon foot-printing or other such approaches as well as giving an overview of existing environmental certifications, either standard ones applicable to the cultural sector or tailor-made for the performing arts. Based on leading tools such as the Green Theatre Book, to JB Creative Green methodologies, to name but a few currently experimented with and used around the globe, this tools session offers solid practical guidance.

Expert input: Paddy Dillon, Coordinator Theatre Green Book; Ian Garrett, Co-founder and Director Centre for Sustainable Practice in the Arts

This session focuses on green production, not just the mechanical side of it, but also the mind shift at the start of the creative process, i.e. green lighting design or the fundamentals of eco-scenography and looks at fair collaboration and touring models.

Expert input: Paddy Dillon, Coordinator Theatre Green Book; Annett Baumast, Director Baumast. Kultur & Nachhaltigkeit; Katelijn Verstraete, Independent Cultural Consultant, Researcher and Evaluator; Avril Joffe, Post Graduate Coordinator of the Cultural Policy and Management Department at the Wits School of Arts, University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg

Session 5 addresses communication, engagement strategies, community outreach, investigates the wider picture of adopting sustainability as a mission and what this translates into for a theatre. Here we also tackle questions of digital communication, from the point of view of the environmental impacts — including the move to online streaming of theatre performances.

Expert input: Lynn Aylward, Public Relations Manager, Creative Carbon Scotland; Vijay Mathew, Co-founder HowlRound Theatre Commons

The final session is entirely dedicated to best practice examples of our theatre community. This will give the opportunity to participants to witness an existing project of sustainable transformation and discuss the challenges, the opportunities, the tips and tricks. It will also give a tangible form to the overall content, offer a positive perspective and act as a motivation/inspiration.

Expert input: Valeri Viladrich, General Manager at Teatre Lliure, Pia Bosch Codolà, Administration and HR Director at Teatre Lliure, Violeta Sugranyes, Project Coordinator at Teatre Lliure, Misa Rýgrová, Environmental Activities Coordinator at National Theatre Prague, Jörg Bochow, Chief dramaturge and deputy artistic director at Staatsschauspiel Dresden