We are a UK-based grassroots environmental theatre company and sustainable arts organisation who seek to make work at the intersection of sustainability and creativity. As a collaborative group of researchers, theatre-makers, designers, and writers, we create work that explores climate change and sustainability in a way that is optimistic, full of energy, and sustainably made at every stage of the process. Through innovative and thought-provoking performances, installations, and digital works, we explore the urgent issues facing our planet and inspire audiences to take action. We believe that art has the power to challenge, educate, and inspire, and we strive to use our platform to create a more sustainable future for all.
METHODS
We use a wide range of methods to ensure our productions are sustainable. We believe sustainable designs act as a physical manifestation of the solution, that people can get up close and personal with, making sustainability accessible, visual and tactile.
sustainable costuming
Our costuming practice uses a three-fold approach:
UPCYCLE - taking pre-loved clothing and making it fit for use again
REPURPOSE - using unconventional materials to make our designs
EXPERIMENT - experimenting with new sustainable methods
We aim to spark curiosity with our costuming and believe problem-solving is at the heart of sustainability
performance environment
Our definition of a performance environment is a transformative, sensory setting which blurs the boundaries between stage and audience.
We seek to create an experience which involves everyone from cast member to audience, this is all of our story, we write it together.
tactical sourcing
We source all of our design materials sustainably and second hand. As well as sourcing from second hand shops, online preloved marketplaces, borrowing, the side of the road, we also work with local businesses to reduce waste by using byproducts that would otherwise go to landfill
This method of sourcing creates a hands-on community approach to creating a show and encourages collaboration between local businesses
end of life in mind
We build our sets and costume to dismantle. We think about what the item will be after it has finished its journey with us. We do this to avoid anything going to landfill or being unusable for the future. Examples of the next steps for items: donating, composting, keeping or repurposing.
To read the full design manifesto, or to enquire about design exhibitions or workshops, email: kate@tenderfoottheatre.co.uk
