Mo'olelo announces Gren Policy (Jun07)

An initiative to introduce environmentally friendly and sustainable practices in the theater industry

Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company, a theater organization dedicated to broadening the scope of San Diego's cultural environment, today announced its Greening Mo`olelo Initiative ˆ an effort to institute sustainable practices and encourage the use of environmentally friendly materials throughout the theater community. To launch the initiative, Mo`olelo recently published GREEN Theater Categories & Sustainable Guidelines, a document featuring the recommendations of architects and other experts in the green industry.

Over the past year, the Mo`olelo staff and board have been involved in a process to educate themselves about environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. "Mo`olelo's work is very much about building community, yet, ironically, many traditional practices in the performing arts are hurtful to the environment ˆ from the amount of paper we use for scripts, to the energy needed to light a performance, to the woods and paints used on sets," says Seema Sueko, Artistic Director of Mo`olelo. "So we decided to explore how we in the theater industry could take responsibility and address the inefficiencies of these practices."

Mo`olelo's staff and board members met with local leaders in the green industry: LEED Accredited Professional Robert Thiele, LEED Accredited Architect Alison Whitelaw, California Center for Sustainable Energy (formerly San Diego Regional Energy Office) Executive Director Irene Stillings, and Urban Policy Planner and Professor of Architecture at New School of Architecture Michael Stepner. Experts shared their insights on developments in the industry, practices that can be easily adapted by theater groups, and changes that every person can make to positively impact the environment every day. LEED Accredited Professional and an architecture intern Preeti Gupta worked with Sueko to compile the findings into a working document that could be shared with the theater industry and the San Diego community. That document, GREEN Theater Categories & Sustainable Guidelines, is available on the Mo`olelo website: www.moolelo.net.

"This is just a starting point," says Mo`olelo Board President Clifford Sweet. "We understand we have so much more to learn and that some of the green adjustments we need to make will be budgeted for and rolled out in future years. But Mo`olelo's commitment to green is strong, and we have the forum to influence change in the community as a whole."

For more information on Greening Mo`olelo, please visit http://www.moolelo.net/mission/green.html

About Mo`olelo

Mo`olelo means story in Hawaiian. A two-time recipient of the KPBS Patte Award for Theater Excellence (Outstanding Ensemble and McDonald Playwriting Award) and the Anti-Discrimination Award, Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company is dedicated to broadening the scope of San Diego theater by telling powerful stories that are as diverse as the islands of Hawaii. Voted Best New Theater Company in 2006 by the readers and editors of San Diego Magazine, Mo`olelo‚s mission is to create new works based on research within various communities, produce lesser-known works by master and contemporary playwrights, and educate youth. To learn more, visit www.moolelo.net or call 619-342-7395.

Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company

GREEN Theater Categories & Sustainable Guidelines

Aim: To respect the environment, conserve natural resources and reduce the use of materials and practices that have a detrimental effect on the planet.

3 R's- Reduce, Recycle and Reuse

· Recycling bins for paper, cans, and plastic material (e.g. juice bottles, cups, cardboard, etc.)

§ Recycled materials taken to proper place-Performance and Administrative Practices

§ Recycle construction waste-waste management

§ Recycle paper in administrative use-Administrative

§ Print postcards, posters, mailers, playbills, banners on FSC Certified materials-Advertisement and Communication

· Reuse: Using and encouraging the use of Mo`olelo plates and mugs that can be reused from one theater event to the next (mugs to be designed-should we contact an artist on this depending on our budget)

· Encourage staff and actors to use mugs and glass bottles instead of plastic glasses for drinking liquids-Performance and Administrative Practices

· Reuse and recycle paper, products and other materials from previous performances-Performance and Administrative Practices

· Reduce: Order paints through AFM, with buy-back plan-Scenic and Prop Material.

· Track all materials in and all materials out ˆ reduce dumpster load-waste management

· Borrow props from other theaters before creating or purchasing new props-Scenic and Prop Material

· Send audition materials, welcome packet materials, and other correspondence electronically to reduce paper use-Advertisement and Communication

· Rent costumes from other theaters and actors, or purchase from thrift stores before purchasing new items

Transportation

· Location ˆ Near public transportation

· Encourage use of public transportation

§ Offer ticket discount with proof of a bus pass/ ticket stubs

§ Provide space for bicycles to be locked up during performances; offer discount for bike use

§ Encourage carpooling- spreading awareness through posters, etc.

§ Work with cast and designers to develop carpool plan

§ Link group sales w/ carpooling

Energy Efficiency

· Encourage owners to use renewable energy- Green Electricity for example

· Use bamboo as a wood alternative where possible-Scenic & Prop Material

· Obtain materials from salvage centers, contractors' donation sites, etc.-Scenic & Prop Material

· Consider life cycle cost impact of the materials used during a performance-Administrative

· Inquire with lighting equipment suppliers about energy-efficient lamps-Lighting

· Research jute and other materials for packing and mailing-Advertisement & Communication

Waste Management

· Obtain scenic designers' lists of materials needed asap ˆ develop plan to obtain sustainable material

· Maintain log of all sustainable practices

· Update Sustainable Guidelines over time

· Maintain and follow 3R's guidelines as stated above

· Obtain feedback on functional performance, operation and maintenance documents

· Set aside a budget where necessary for sustainable practices

Water Efficiency

· Encourage landlords to install ultra-low-flow toilets and metered plumbing fixtures

Spreading awareness in Community

· Post Green Initiative and guidelines on website

· Include green slogans wherever possible

· Organize forums and convene on green practices

Questions? Email



	Mo`Olelo Performing Arts Company Announces Greening Mo`Olelo An initiative to introduce environmentally friendly and sustainable practices in the theater industry Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company, a theater organization dedicated to broadening the scope of San Diego's cultural environment, today announced its Greening Mo`olelo Initiative ˆ an effort to institute sustainable practices and encourage the use of environmentally friendly materials throughout the theater community. To launch the initiative, Mo`olelo recently published GREEN Theater Categories & Sustainable Guidelines, a document featuring the recommendations of architects and other experts in the green industry. Over the past year, the Mo`olelo staff and board have been involved in a process to educate themselves about environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. "Mo`olelo's work is very much about building community, yet, ironically, many traditional practices in the performing arts are hurtful to the environment ˆ from the amount of paper we use for scripts, to the energy needed to light a performance, to the woods and paints used on sets," says Seema Sueko, Artistic Director of Mo`olelo. "So we decided to explore how we in the theater industry could take responsibility and address the inefficiencies of these practices." Mo`olelo's staff and board members met with local leaders in the green industry: LEED Accredited Professional Robert Thiele, LEED Accredited Architect Alison Whitelaw, California Center for Sustainable Energy (formerly San Diego Regional Energy Office) Executive Director Irene Stillings, and Urban Policy Planner and Professor of Architecture at New School of Architecture Michael Stepner. Experts shared their insights on developments in the industry, practices that can be easily adapted by theater groups, and changes that every person can make to positively impact the environment every day. LEED Accredited Professional and an architecture intern Preeti Gupta worked with Sueko to compile the findings into a working document that could be shared with the theater industry and the San Diego community. That document, GREEN Theater Categories & Sustainable Guidelines, is available on the Mo`olelo website: www.moolelo.net. "This is just a starting point," says Mo`olelo Board President Clifford Sweet. "We understand we have so much more to learn and that some of the green adjustments we need to make will be budgeted for and rolled out in future years. But Mo`olelo's commitment to green is strong, and we have the forum to influence change in the community as a whole." For more information on Greening Mo`olelo, please visit http://www.moolelo.net/mission/green.html About Mo`olelo Mo`olelo means story in Hawaiian. A two-time recipient of the KPBS Patte Award for Theater Excellence (Outstanding Ensemble and McDonald Playwriting Award) and the Anti-Discrimination Award, Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company is dedicated to broadening the scope of San Diego theater by telling powerful stories that are as diverse as the islands of Hawaii. Voted Best New Theater Company in 2006 by the readers and editors of San Diego Magazine, Mo`olelo‚s mission is to create new works based on research within various communities, produce lesser-known works by master and contemporary playwrights, and educate youth. To learn more, visit www.moolelo.net or call 619-342-7395. Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company GREEN Theater Categories & Sustainable Guidelines Aim: To respect the environment, conserve natural resources and reduce the use of materials and practices that have a detrimental effect on the planet. 3 R's- Reduce, Recycle and Reuse · Recycling bins for paper, cans, and plastic material (e.g. juice bottles, cups, cardboard, etc.) § Recycled materials taken to proper place-Performance and Administrative Practices § Recycle construction waste-waste management § Recycle paper in administrative use-Administrative § Print postcards, posters, mailers, playbills, banners on FSC Certified materials-Advertisement and Communication · Reuse: Using and encouraging the use of Mo`olelo plates and mugs that can be reused from one theater event to the next (mugs to be designed-should we contact an artist on this depending on our budget) · Encourage staff and actors to use mugs and glass bottles instead of plastic glasses for drinking liquids-Performance and Administrative Practices · Reuse and recycle paper, products and other materials from previous performances-Performance and Administrative Practices · Reduce: Order paints through AFM, with buy-back plan-Scenic and Prop Material. · Track all materials in and all materials out ˆ reduce dumpster load-waste management · Borrow props from other theaters before creating or purchasing new props-Scenic and Prop Material · Send audition materials, welcome packet materials, and other correspondence electronically to reduce paper use-Advertisement and Communication · Rent costumes from other theaters and actors, or purchase from thrift stores before purchasing new items Transportation · Location ˆ Near public transportation · Encourage use of public transportation § Offer ticket discount with proof of a bus pass/ ticket stubs § Provide space for bicycles to be locked up during performances; offer discount for bike use § Encourage carpooling- spreading awareness through posters, etc. § Work with cast and designers to develop carpool plan § Link group sales w/ carpooling Energy Efficiency · Encourage owners to use renewable energy- Green Electricity for example · Use bamboo as a wood alternative where possible-Scenic & Prop Material · Obtain materials from salvage centers, contractors' donation sites, etc.-Scenic & Prop Material · Consider life cycle cost impact of the materials used during a performance-Administrative · Inquire with lighting equipment suppliers about energy-efficient lamps-Lighting · Research jute and other materials for packing and mailing-Advertisement & Communication Waste Management · Obtain scenic designers' lists of materials needed asap ˆ develop plan to obtain sustainable material · Maintain log of all sustainable practices · Update Sustainable Guidelines over time · Maintain and follow 3R's guidelines as stated above · Obtain feedback on functional performance, operation and maintenance documents · Set aside a budget where necessary for sustainable practices Water Efficiency · Encourage landlords to install ultra-low-flow toilets and metered plumbing fixtures Spreading awareness in Community · Post Green Initiative and guidelines on website · Include green slogans wherever possible · Organize forums and convene on green practices Home \| News \| Calendar \| Directory \| Library \| Plays Copyright 2007, Roger W. 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Mo`Olelo Performing Arts Company Announces Greening Mo`Olelo