Sustainable Digital Workflows in Theatre Production Design: A Framework for Eco-Scenography and Life Cycle Optimization in Nigeria

Abstract

The Nigerian creative sector, particularly the globally influential film industry, Nollywood, and its burgeoning theatre scene, faces a critical juncture regarding its environmental footprint. Traditional production design practices, often characterised by rapid, low-budget construction and subsequent material disposal, contribute significantly to the nation's growing waste management crisis and carbon emissions. This paper proposes a conceptual framework for Sustainable Digital Workflows (SDW), specifically tailored for the Nigerian context, to transition scenography from a linear, resource-intensive model to a circular, data-informed, and environmentally responsible practice. Drawing upon established principles from the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector, namely Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Digital Twin (DT) technologies, the SDW framework integrates Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) directly into the digital design process. This integration is hypothesised to enable Nigerian designers to overcome infrastructural limitations by facilitating precise material quantification, promoting the use of local, sustainable materials, and maximising asset reusability. The framework addresses the unique challenges of the Nigerian context, including the need for low-cost, accessible digital solutions to bridge the digital divide and the imperative to institutionalise circularity within a highly fragmented supply chain. This research argues that the strategic adoption of SDW is not merely an efficiency measure but a fundamental requirement for the future ecological and economic viability of Nigerian performance arts, positioning the industry as a leader in sustainable creative innovation across the African continent.