For several years now, the events industry has increasingly been faced with the task of reducing its ecological footprint. As well as issues such as energy supply and mobility, stage construction is also becoming a key area of focus. The question is: how can stage sets, backdrops and technical constructions be implemented in a resource-efficient manner without compromising artistic quality? This article highlights the most important approaches to sustainable stage construction and provides examples.
Sustainability begins with planning.
Sustainable stage construction starts in the design phase. Taking ecological factors into account from the outset enables the reduction of materials used, the shortening of transport routes, and the reusability of elements to be ensured. A life cycle approach is crucial, whereby the environmental impact is analysed from material extraction to use and disposal.
Well-thought-out stage designs that incorporate modular elements save resources and costs. Many theatres and festivals are now developing their own ecological design guidelines to help them define sustainability goals in advance.
Using materials in a cycle
The choice of materials is a key lever for sustainable stage construction. The circular economy principle has become established here:
- Reduce: keep material and energy consumption to a minimum.
- Reuse: Use stage elements, backdrops or entire sets more than once.
- Recycling: involves returning materials such as wood panels, metal or textiles to the recycling cycle at the end of their life cycle.
- Repurpose: creatively transform existing objects, such as using pallets or scaffolding parts as stage elements.
- Repair: repairing damaged parts can significantly extend their service life.
There has been an increasing use of renewable raw materials such as wood and bamboo, particularly in scenery construction. They are not only more environmentally friendly, but also allow for exciting design solutions. For example, at last year’s Mysteryland Festival in the Netherlands, Guadua Bamboo built a striking stage made entirely from bamboo, a renewable, CO₂-binding material.
Bamboo Stage Myteryland 2024 – Masters of Bamboo
Organising production and technology to conserve resources:
Savings can also be made during the production phase. Modern event technology enables significantly more efficient energy utilisation. LED lighting, intelligent control systems and economical projectors can all help to reduce power consumption.
In addition, regular maintenance and care can extend the service life of props, costumes, and technical equipment. This reduces the need for new purchases and avoids waste. In this context, industry-specific guidelines such as ‘The Green Stage’, which provide practical recommendations for ecologically minded stage designers, are helpful.
Creative and sustainable construction methods
Another important trend is the use of creative and sustainable construction methods. In the festival world in particular, there are numerous examples of self-built stages made from recycled materials or in close collaboration with local teams.
At smaller festivals, for instance, stages have been constructed from wooden pallets or old metal structures, which can be dismantled and reused after the event. In addition to their ecological benefits, these DIY concepts also carry strong symbolic power, showing that artistic expression and sustainability can go hand in hand.
Even large festivals use these approaches. The aforementioned bamboo Mysteryland stage demonstrates how architecturally sophisticated and resource-efficient a temporary structure can be. Modular systems are also becoming increasingly important in theatres and stadiums because they allow for flexible use and recycling.
Mobility and logistics are key.
In addition to materials, logistics also have a significant impact on the ecological footprint of stage construction. Transporting stage components, props, and technology results in considerable emissions. Some theatres and venues therefore collaborate locally, sharing or rebuilding stage sets at other locations.
Sustainability also plays a role in the travel of audiences and artists. Festivals and theatres are increasingly promoting climate-friendly travel, for example by offering discounted public transport tickets, providing shuttle services, or partnering with car-sharing companies.
Sustainability as an opportunity for the industry
Sustainable stage design involves more than just technical challenges; it represents a cultural shift. Theatres, event organisers and festivals are taking responsibility by integrating ecological standards into their daily operations.
This begins with workshops for employees to raise awareness of resource-efficient working methods, and extends to transparency with audiences. Many event organisers openly communicate their measures to raise visitor awareness.
The examples show that: Sustainable stage construction does not contradict creative freedom. In fact, ecological concepts open up new opportunities for innovation, community and artistic expression. Our guide, ‘Organising Sustainable Events’, demonstrates just how broad the topic can be. If you want to delve deeper, you will find exciting insights in the ‘Sustainable Stage: Is That Possible?’ episode of the Event Rookie podcast.
