Sustainability
Oxton Playwrights CIC is committed to creating theatre, heritage and creative learning projects in a thoughtful, responsible and sustainable way.
As a small creative organisation, we aim to make practical choices that reduce waste, reuse resources, support local people and make the most of existing community, theatre and heritage spaces.
Our work is built around storytelling, people and place. This means we do not rely on large-scale sets, heavy touring infrastructure or unnecessary materials. Wherever possible, we design our productions to be flexible, portable and low impact.
How we reduce environmental impact
We aim to reduce our environmental impact by:
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using existing venues, heritage spaces and community locations
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keeping sets simple, reusable and easy to transport
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reusing props, costumes and materials wherever possible
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borrowing, adapting or sourcing second-hand costume and set items
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using digital promotion and booking where appropriate
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creating digital education resources to reduce unnecessary printing
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planning travel carefully across rehearsal and performance locations
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encouraging audiences to use public transport, walking or shared travel where possible
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working with local suppliers, artists and creatives to reduce unnecessary travel and support the local economy
For productions such as The Story of Jessie Gavin and The Story of Edith Smith, our approach has focused on small-scale, adaptable theatre that can move between heritage spaces, community venues and theatres without the need for large amounts of new material.
Social sustainability
For us, sustainability is also about people.
We create projects that leave a legacy beyond the performance itself. This includes education packs, digital archive material, student placements, community talks and opportunities for emerging creatives.
We aim to support local artists, students, volunteers and communities by creating meaningful opportunities to learn, contribute and connect with local stories.
Responsible production choices
When developing our productions, we consider:
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whether materials can be reused
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whether costumes and props can be sourced second-hand or borrowed
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how easily the set can be transported
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how to minimise waste after the project
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how education and archive materials can remain accessible online
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how our work can benefit communities beyond one event
We are continuing to develop our sustainability practices as the organisation grows.
Looking ahead
We recognise that sustainability is an ongoing process. As Oxton Playwrights CIC develops, we will continue to improve how we plan, deliver and evaluate our environmental and social impact.
Our aim is to create theatre that is artistically strong, community-focused and responsible in the way it uses resources.