Green Opera Initiative | Opera Cleveland

Recycling is not big news in the theater industry. Companies have long reused stage sets, props and costumes. It's just the practical thing to do. But such pragmatism is also becoming the responsible, sustainable things to do, as people consider their impact on the environment. In the last year, Opera Cleveland has started to evaluate its impact and to see how it can reduce it.

The decision to reuse a set by a peer company for the upcoming production of Lucia di Lammermoor was an artistic and financial choice. But it also turned out to be an eco-friendly choice. "When we had the opportunity to recycle this set, it inspired a larger conversation," says Will Cole, Executive Director of Opera Cleveland, in an interview with OPERA America magazine. Propelled by an eco-minded staff, the company started to formalize its commitment to sustainability. The result is the Green Opera Initiative.

Strengthening Community Connections
While the primary objective is to be a better steward of the environment, there are additional benefits. One outcome is the opportunity to create new partnerships and relationships across Northeast Ohio. For example, a partnership between Opera Cleveland and Philips Healthcare will culminate in the Lucia set modified with reclaimed building materials. Philips' manufacturing results in a large amount of wood waste that would end up in a landfill. This partnership helps to keep materials from the waste stream while also saving Opera Cleveland thousands of dollars--money that can be reallocated to furthering production quality.

Reaching out into the community, Opera Cleveland has assembled a committee of professionals in the field of sustainability to help guide the Green Opera Initiative. "It brings sustainability into the arts field in a very unique way," says Judson Kline, committee member and Vice President at Hershman Architects. "We have such a wonderful legacy of arts institutions in Greater Cleveland. This just begins to add to that tapestry."

Phase One
Currently, the company is in what it considers the first phase of the Initiative. The recycled stage set and reclaimed materials are one large step. Smaller steps have included instituting strict recycling policies within the office, relying on day lighting instead of light bulbs, replacing disposable dishes and utensils with permanent ones, and recycling and donating unused warehouse materials.

The bigger objective is to examine the impact of an average opera production. That involves collecting data about all the materials and energy used on stage--wood, lighting, fabric, metal, etc. GreenCity,BlueLake, an environmental non-profit in Cleveland, will help Opera Cleveland analyze the data so the next step can be reduction.

Opera Cleveland is pleased that its efforts now run parallel to the goals of the Sustainable Cleveland 2019 project and that it has the opportunity to collaborate with the greater community in its commitment to make NE Ohio a more sustainable region.