Sustainability
Sustainable by design and every day through our operations. The Soraya joins CSUN in its commitment to environmentally sustainable operations and programs.
Upon its construction The Soraya was awarded LEED Gold certification (Leader in Energy and Environmental Design), and consistent with university priorities, places sustainability among its key objectives. In addition to 50 presented and Soraya-produced performances in each season, The Soraya offers free performances and community festivals to celebrate its community’s commitment to sustainability and shine a light on the most pressing issues of our time.
In 2016, the Global Currents Festival brought together artists from 13 nations and cultures to share perspectives, ancient and modern, about water conservation.
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In 2021, The Soraya commissioned and produced Treelogy, partnering with Tree People, an environmental nonprofit dedicated to supporting personal responsibility to the urban environment. In addition to this partnership, the Treelogy project involved partnerships with the CSUN Sustainability Center and two Valley art programs—11:11 Projects, and Valley Art Workshop. Overall, the focus of the project was to inspire hope and fuel change in the community.
An everyday commitment to Sustainability
Through policy and practice – The Soraya, CSUN, and the California State University system is committed to enacting sustainable change to address the climate issues that threaten our environment.
Eliminating Single Use
Since 2017, The Soraya has been committed to eliminating single use water bottles from the venue. Instead, The Soraya now sells reusable Soraya tumblers at its concessions and provides its artists with reusable Soraya water bottles – changing contracts to ensure single use items are eliminated backstage. In 2021, the California State University system followed suit and banned all use of single-use plastics across its campuses.
Lighting the Future
In 2024, The Soraya will change every single architectural light in the building to an LED light – saving thousands of wattages in energy every year while maintaining the high-level esthetic of the venue.
Saving Trees one Program at a Time
In 2021 The Soraya moved to a digital program book, saving hundreds of pounds of paper every month. Not only has this had a massive environmental impact, but it also provides audiences a greater opportunity to engage with the performances they are experiencing onstage by connecting them behind-the-scenes videos, artist interviews, and more Soraya content.