Greening Production-Making Series
Guest Speaker Bios
Session 1: Materials & Making
Imogen Ross, NIDA
Imogen Ross is a professional theatre maker, ecoscenographer and live event designer of over 30 years’ experience. Since 2022 she has been NIDA’s Sustainability Manager, working with facilities, productions, and all Learning and Innovation staff to embed carbon reductive processes across the entire school. Part of her job is implementing the circular economy guidance of the Theatre Greenbook as well promoting environmentally sustainable practices across 11 performance disciplines, incl. design, writing, directing, acting, cultural leadership, technical theatre, properties and costume design.
A longtime member of the Australian Production Design Guild, Imogen promotes key sustainability issues and challenges in APDG GREEN; interviewing key players in the performing arts sustainability sector, and discussing the ongoing development of sustainable, affordable solutions.
In 2022 she was interviewed in the peer-reviewed journal SCENE focusing on Australian Scenography (guest editor Tessa Rixon), discussing environmental practices with Ecoscenography exponent, Dr Tanja Beer. Imogen is currently studying Honours in visual arts with Dr Beer at Griffith Uni, focussing on biophilic design materials in performing arts applications.
Session 2: PRODUCTION, PRODUCING & EVENTS
Ryan Garreffa, Sydney Theatre Company
Ryan has over 10 years of experience across various sectors within the live entertainment and events industry. His expertise spans large-scale outdoor events, arts festivals, touring productions, hospitality groups, and performing arts venues. Throughout his career, Ryan has primarily worked as a Production Manager in the not-for-profit sector, collaborating with a diverse range of independent, small-to-medium, and major theatre companies.
Passionate about sustainability, Ryan is dedicated to advocating for and implementing environmentally responsible policies and practices within the industry. Notably, he contributed to the development of reporting practices at Griffin Theatre Company as part of the "Green Griffin" initiative and previously served as the Chair of Sydney Theatre Company's sustainability team, focusing on the development of long-term strategic planning.
Session 3: CARBON FOOT PRINTING & IMPACT REDUCTION
Aimee Smith, Sustainability Consultant
Aimee has worked at the intersection of climate change, sustainability, creativity, arts and community for 20 years. Alongside a successful career as a choreographer and dance artist, Aimee has a Masters in Sustainability and Climate Policy. As a sustainability professional she supports organisations to develop and implement net zero and sustainability strategies, and advocates for the important role of arts in the transition to a sustainable future.
Session 4: INNOVATION & NEW TECHNOLOGY
Chris Mercer, Theatre Green Book Australia
Chris is the Managing Director at Aboriginal owned design company Yerrabingin and Co-Founder of Theatre Green Book Australia with Grace Nye-Butler. Chris’s passion is integrating and communicating environmental sustainability in the creative, arts and cultural sector. His key focus is in exploring the sector's role to create safe and brave spaces to gather, educate and inspire action on climate change.
KEY INFO
Greening Production-Making Series 2025
Four Online Sessions (1hr each)
Watch the replays below
All sessions are Auslan interpreted.
Session 1: Materials and Making
Theatre Making Cheat Sheet_Session 1
(
201.4 KB
.pdf file
)
Session 2: Production, Producing
and Events
Production, Producing & Events Cheat Sheet_Session 2
(
171.2 KB
.pdf file
)
Session 3: Carbon Foot Printing and Impact Reduction
Carbon Foot Printing & Impact Reduction Cheat Sheet_Session 3
(
146.9 KB
.pdf file
)
Session 4: Innovation and New Technology
Innovation & New Technology Cheat Sheet_Session 4
(
135.5 KB
.pdf file
)
Questions? Contact Mark Salvestro