Bowsher production minds its carbon footprint
Written by Kristen Criswell | | krapin@toledofreepress.comBowsher High School plans to go “green” with its production of “The Pajama Game.”
The theater department has worked with Broadway Green Alliance (BGA), an industry-wide initiative to reduce the carbon footprint of Broadway productions, to pursue environmentally friendly practices in its show.
While a number of high schools have contacted the BGA for tips to make their shows more environmentally friendly, Bowsher is the first high school nationwide to say that it wants to do an all-green production, said Susan Sampliner, co-chairwoman of the group.
“They’re the future. If we can get kids conscious of this when they are younger, when they move on to more extensive productions they can bring those practices with them,” she said.
Director Karin Giffin guiding the students in a singing exercise. TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAR PHOTO BY LISA STANG
The students involved in the production were told at the first rehearsal of the department’s attempt to make a green production and are excited, said Karin Giffin, producer of “The Pajama Game.”
Giffin said pursuing a green production shows responsibility toward the planet and she’s thrilled at being the first high school in the country to pursue a green show.
“It’s important for the students to learn these practices, especially if they’re going to pursue theater at the college level and further,” she said.
The idea to pursue a green production came after “Wicked” was in town, said Scott McGorty, marketing and public relations coordinator for Bowsher High School productions. “Wicked” promoted the fact it was a green production, with different lights, watching what it used, and recycling backstage and McGorty thought, “Why can’t we do that at a high school level?” he said.
McGorty contacted the BGA and the school received a list of green practices that could be used during a show.
“The Pajama Game” will have biodegradable cups and recycle bins at its performance, will use recycled paper for all its printing and will decrease the size of its program.
The department will also reuse its wood and costumes, McGorty said.
In addition to reusing its own materials, Bowsher will borrow props and supplies from other schools. The department has contacted Findlay College to see if Bowsher can utilize any of its props from “The Pajama Game” it performed last summer, Giffin said. The school is borrowing a knife-throwing mechanism and sewing machines from the college.
If and when anything has to be made, the students will follow BGA’s suggestion of more environmentally sustainable materials, McGorty said. The students will use certain paints and avoid harmful materials, he said.
“What we’re trying to do is make a difference though the entire industry,” Sampliner said. “As an industry, we are interested in conservation in general because we don’t have a lot of money, but we also tend to generate a lot of waste and we’re trying to reduce that.”
Bowsher will perform “The Pajama Game” on April 1 and 2. Tickets for the show are $12 for adults and $10 for students.
Tags: Bowsher High School, Pajama Game
