As the world becomes more and more aware of how we impact our globe, buying used and re-purposing things is more prevalent. Green Theater or Sustainable Theater was something that I learned about years ago in my undergrad. I even took an art class using only reusable and found items to create pieces. Some large theaters such as The National Theatre in London have partnered with energy suppliers to have more efficient buildings. Theatres also recycle and reuse old sets to create new ones. 

Recently I have been on the market for a new sewing machine. A "new to me" sewing machine; not a brand spanking new machine. I'm happy to say with some help from my amazing father I now have a lovely demo Bernina 1008! I learned on that same type of machine at my undergrad so it was kind of a sentimental buy, but it was also economic and eco-friendly. 

An older used machine is also great because I don't need any digitized decorative stitches or embroidery gadgets. If you are in the market for a machine with a few more bells and whistles, there are plenty of other used and certified machines that have these things. It is important to be aware of the warranty if your dealer offers them. Some are good only at the dealer you purchased your used machine from, while others can sometimes be more universally accepted.

Buying a used machine when you are in the market for one is just one way to participate in Green Theatre practices. Read up on other practices that can help you create beautiful art while also protecting our planet for future generations of artists. 

Here are some articles on sustainable theater (just a few, there are so many more!):

• ​The Green Theatre
• Green Theatre Summary-London
• Green Giants: Sustainable Design in Theatre, Part One