Big Green Theater Fall 2023 production with PS106:
Big Green Theater Spring 2023 productions with PS75 and PS84:
ABOUT BIG GREEN THEATER
Big Green Theater (BGT) is an eco-playwriting program for public elementary school students that uplifts the imaginations of young people most impacted by our new climate reality and brings their ideas to life on stage. BGT aims to inspire students to manifest a sustainable and just community by using the power of their creative voice.
The curriculum is structured as a creative outlet for students to learn the tools of playwriting and the fundamentals of environmental justice, practice critical thinking, and develop an expressive voice.
Guest professionals from the fields of science and activism visit the BGT classroom to lead interactive presentations, and students also take field trips to engage with the people and problems most relevant to their community. Students collaborate with each other to write plays inspired by these interactions.
Big Green Theater at The Bushwick Starr has grown to encompass the full school year through biannual curriculum in four public elementary school classrooms in Bushwick & Ridgewood. Our Fall BGT program allows students to transition from being playwrights to exploring performing, directing, designing, and stage managing alongside an adult ensemble of mentors. The final productions they create are performed in their school auditorium for fellow students, teachers, families, and the community. Our Spring BGT program culminates in a professional production at The Bushwick Starr theater, and is open for free public attendance.
BGT's history and objectives
How we keep bgt eco-conscious
Check out past PRODUCTIONS, pROGRAMS + MORE
Get involved
There are many opportunities to participate in this program. From working with students in the classroom, to developing eco-projects and initiatives, to helping paint stage sets or sewing costumes for the show- there’s something for everyone! If you’re interested in getting involved, please email us at: cassandra@thebushwickstarr.org
Program Support
Big Green Theater is made possible through the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs' Cultural After School Adventures (CASA) Program and New York City Council members Jennifer Gutierrez and Sandy Nurse, The Revada Foundation of the Logan Family, Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation’s P/Arts program, the Lotos Foundation, Con Edison, and our community of supporters.
*This activity is not sponsored or endorsed by the New York City Department of Education or the City of New York.
Big Green Theater was initially conceived by Bushwick Starr founders Noel Allain and Sue Kessler. The program was developed and run in partnership with Jeremy Pickard and eco-theater collective Superhero Clubhouse from 2010-2020.
After 10 years of partnership on Big Green Theater, Superhero Clubhouse and The Bushwick Starr have begun running the program separately in order to expand our capacity to reach more students. Superhero Clubhouse will seed Big Green Theater in new neighborhoods while The Bushwick Starr continues to run the program in North Brooklyn. We are proud of the work we have done together over the past decade to uplift imaginations of youth on the frontlines of the climate crisis, and eager to see how this program will grow in the future.