NIDA is reducing the carbon footprint of student productions by changing the way we design, create and produce creative works. Upon graduation, NIDA students will be able to use and share these skills within the creative industries as a practical response to the climate crisis.
Guided by NIDA’s Sustainability Manager and using the Theatre Green Book (TGB) as a working framework, the goal is to incrementally reduce the carbon footprint of student productions. We also aim to teach through practice how to create carbon neutral and even carbon positive productions.
For the June and October seasons, NIDA production teams are provided with briefings and resources to help guide sustainable production practices. We have also undertaken high-level carbon calculations of some recent student productions by working with former NIDA Sustainability Manager Grace Nye-Butler and NIDA industry tutor Chris Mercer, both now with the Theatre Green Book Australia.
As NIDA continues to track and monitor student productions over subsequent seasons, the data and insights collected will help to inform NIDA’s policies, training, systems design and budgets.
2023 Case Study: Sweeney Todd
This case study focuses on the sustainability outcomes of the student production, Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, performed at NIDA from 9-17 June 2023. With a cast and crew of over 70 including a live band of seven musicians, it was staged in the Playhouse Theatre.
2022 Case Study: Blood Wedding
NIDA commissioned a case study of the student production Blood Wedding in October 2022 to draw insights into the attitudes, behaviours, challenges and opportunities related to transitioning towards sustainable practices. The creative and production teams behind Blood Wedding reduced the potential carbon footprint by 45%.
