BEHIND THE SCENES
A Green Approach to Bringing the World of Amahl to Life VO's production team is conscious of our energy
For example, Jeremy Baxter’s lighting design
and materials waste and inefficiencies, common
encompassed low wattage stage electrics and
within the industry. To address and improve
LED washes. Patrick Rizzotti’s set and costume
this, we have put into practice initial education
design allowed us to curate on principles of low
and policy applications for Climate Smart
impact through repurposing, fabric reclamation,
Certification. This award-winning program will
and timber recovery. We utilized mostly stock
help us build an implementation plan to reduce
materials, costumes and properties which we
our carbon footprint.
then textured, distressed and recoloured. A collection of old barn boards and recovered
Over the summer, Vancouver Opera’s costume
skinply created the upstage brambled nest wall.
department was manufacturing cloth masks in
We extend a huge thank you to the Arts Club's
a community initiative to help those on the front
Scenic Shop who assisted us in this process.
lines of the pandemic. Through this process, we assisted several international physicians and
We are mindful of the impact that the creative
laboratories in testing a new biodegradable
process has on the world around us. It is
fabric for Personal Protective Equipment. To
especially important to ensure our legacy has a
minimize the environmental impact of disposable
positive impact that lays groundwork for future
equipment, we also sourced biodegradable
artistic endeavours and our planet. Vancouver
wipes and gloves for all departments.
Opera is committed to meeting these new challenges, adapting with the creativity, ingenuity
Green initiatives on the set involve everyone
and the resourcefulness of the creative heart.
from the outset, from director to stage crew. For Amahl, we worked collaboratively on
Autumn Coppaway is Technical Director at Vancouver Opera.
sustainable solutions that achieve the artistic vision within the budget for the production.
FACING PAGE PHOTOS (clockwise from top left): 1. Leslie Dala and Tina Chang on The Chan Centre stage
2. Stage Manager Marijka Asbeek Brusse busy at work
3. Cast members peeking out of their dressing rooms
4. Sarah Jane Pelzer, Jason Cook (Melchior), Andreas Dala (Amahl)
5. Sarah Jane Pelzer and Marijka Asbeek Brusse
6. Sergio Augusto (Kaspar) backstage
7. Michael MacKinnon (Balthazar) dancing onstage
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| AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS