"Orange Is the New Black" Is Back!

Today Netflix released the seventh and final season of "Orange Is the New Black." The popular series chronicles Piper Chapman's adventures behind bars at the fictional Litchfield Correctional Institution. The real-life setting of Litchfield is the former Arthur Kill Correctional Facility, which is now the home of Staten Island Stages.

When we began developing the property we envisioned a state-of-the-art facility that would be the perfect backdrop for prison-set television programs and films. As a business that cares deeply about supporting our community, we hired local vendors and suppliers and are proud to boost the local economy.

We are excited to see our hard work pay off on "Orange Is the New Black," and we hope you enjoy watching the final season as much as we do. Congratulations to the show's creators and stars on seven amazing seasons, and thank you for being a part of the Broadway Stages family.

Check out the trailer here!

CBS's "Evil" Debuts at San Diego Comic Con

This fall, CBS will explore the origins of evil. Last week, lucky attendees of San Diego Comic Con got a sneak peek at the network's terrifying new show aptly called "Evil," filmed right here at one of our studios in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

The show is the latest venture from Michelle and Robert King, who also created "The Good Wife" and its spinoff "The Good Fight," also filmed here at Broadway Stages. According to CBS, "Evil" is a psychological mystery that follows the adventures of forensic psychologist Kristen Bouchard who joins a priest-in-training and a carpenter as they investigate the church's backlog of unexplained mysteries. Whether investing supposed miracles, demonic possessions, or hauntings, their job is to assess if there's a logical explanation or if something truly supernatural is at work. If the trailer is any indicator, the show will be truly frightening.

Stars Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, Michael Emerson, Aasif Mandvi, and the Kings discussed the show at Comic Con last week. Following the panel discussion, the pilot episode debuted to a packed house. Attendees reportedly jumped out of their seats during one particularly chilling scene.

We are so excited to see the latest collaboration between the Kings, CBS, and Broadway Stages, and we thank them for their loyalty to our studios and contributions to the New York film industry. Watch the cast and creators discuss the show, check out the trailer, and tune in to CBS on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 10 p.m. ET for a scary good time.

Mark Your Calendar: Farmers Market at Eagle Street Rooftop Farm July 27

Check out the summer market and volunteer day on Saturday, July 27, from 1 - 4 p.m., at the Eagle Street Rooftop Farm, located at 44 Eagle Street, Brooklyn 11222. At the market, you can find hot peppers, leafy greens, carrots, herbs and more. Don’t miss this opportunity to support a local organic vegetable green roof turned farm! A Goode Green project owned by Broadway Stages, the farm is an example of how we support successful urban agriculture projects that support environmental sustainability. This not only benefits our neighbors by providing fresh produce for local residents and restaurants, but also makes a positive environmental impact by improving the air, making buildings more temperate and reducing storm water runoff.

The farm also provides an opportunity for local residents to broaden their environmental education and become urban farmers through a volunteer training program. The volunteers come out each week to work in the clean soil, learning how to grow food and design urban farms including gardens that support the critical habitat of pollinators. Take a look at the photo gallery to see for yourself what’s growing on our rooftop.

"When They See Us" Nabs 16 Emmy Nominations!

"When They See Us," Ava DuVernay's powerful four-part miniseries about the Central Park Five, will compete for Outstanding Limited Series and 15 other awards at the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards on September 22.

The show's creators spent weeks filming inside Staten Island's shuttered Arthur Kill Correctional Facility, which Broadway Stages converted into a state-of-the-art sound stage known as Staten Island Stages. The authentic prison setting helped the actors get into character, letting them experience what it must have felt like inside the prison cells where five young men spent years behind bars for a crime they did not commit.

Eight different stars of the Netflix miniseries earned Emmy nominations, including Jharrel Jerome for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie and Aunjanue Ellis and Niecy Nash, who will compete against each other for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie. Congratulations as well to Asante Blackk, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Vera Farmiga, John Leguizamo, and Michael K. Williams for their nominations in supporting roles. With all of those fantastic performances, it is no surprise that the show also got a nod for Outstanding Casting for a Limited Series, Movie, or Special. DuVernay is also in the running in the Directing and Writing categories for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special. The Emmys also recognized the miniseries with nominations for Music Composition, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, and Cinematography.

Broadway Stages is also happy to congratulate "Orange Is the New Black" star Laverne Cox for her Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series nomination. The former Arthur Kill Correctional Facility also provided the backdrop for the seventh and final season of that Netflix hit.

We could not be more thrilled to be associated with these critically acclaimed, groundbreaking shows. Best of luck to all nominees, and tune in on September 22 to see who wins.

"Orange Is the New Black" Returns in One Week!

Only one week until Piper, Crazy Eyes, Taystee, and the rest of your favorite inmates return to Netflix for their final season! How will Piper and Sophia fare on the outside? What will happen to Blanca? How will Copeland celebrate winning the fantasy inmate league? Find out on Friday, July 26.

Broadway Stages is proud to offer an actual former prison as the stand-in for Litchfield Correctional Institution. And we continue to work to expand the campus and bring economic growth to Staten Island. Most recently, our Staten Island facility has provided an authentic prison setting for television shows like "Orange Is the New Black" and movies like "Ocean's 8."

Watch the trailer for the final season here, and don't forget to tune in on Friday, July 26.

Valuable New Resource Available: Diverse Suppliers Directory

Broadway Stages values diversity in the workforce and among our suppliers and vendors. That’s why we're excited to spread the news about the recently published Diverse Supplier Directory. Published by the New York State Governor's Office of Motion Picture & Television Development, the directory brings visibility to the many diverse vendors supporting the industry in New York — bringing them more business opportunities. These vendors provide services in the following areas: casting, catering, equipment rental, janitorial/cleaning, marketing/media services, post/VFX/animation, production company, security, stages/studios, and wardrobe/props.

Broadway Stages looks forward to using this resource, encouraging our diverse service providers to sign up, and sharing it with our production clients.

Advancing Parity for Women: New York Women in Film & Television

As a woman-owned business, Broadway Stages is committed to advancing opportunities for women and minorities in the television and film industry. One way we demonstrate this commitment is through membership in New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT). As a professional association for women in the New York entertainment industry, NYWIFT promotes equality for women — whether in front of or behind the camera and in every stage of their careers — and works to make a difference through initiatives that recognize talents and provide opportunities for women throughout the industry.

Most recently, NYWIFT hosted its 2019 Summit at which industry thought leaders and journalists addressed the issues of gender and pay gap, diversity/inclusion, and sexual harassment, planning the way forward to make positive changes in these areas.

We congratulate Cynthia López for recently taking the helm as NYWIFT executive director and look forward to working together with NYWIFT to face the challenges and opportunities presented to women in the industry. Learn more about NYWIFT, its programs, and how to become a member at https://www.nywift.org/.

Staten Island — A Hotbed for TV and Film Production

Check out the SI Live piece by Victoria Priola about television and film production on Staten Island. Broadway Stages is proud to be a part of the economic growth coming to the island and excited to bring major Hollywood production companies to film at its Arthur Kill Campus located in the Charleston section of Staten Island.

The campus is being designed as a full-service production facility offering ample space for film, television, and music video productions of all sizes. The location has already been home to 41 productions including "Orange is the New Black," "The Black List," "Oceans 8," and most recently "Wu Tang: An American Saga."

Brooklyn Workforce Innovations' Gala in Gotham

Brooklyn Workforce Innovations (BWI) held its annual Gala in Gotham on June 13 to celebrate the achievements of its programs, graduates, and partners who work together to connect thousands of low-income New Yorkers with training for in-demand careers. As one of the sponsors of this event, Broadway Stages congratulates BWI and its partners for their efforts in creating new possibilities for career success and supporting the television and film industry of New York.

Of the eight training programs provided by BWI, two specifically support the television and film industry — the "Made in NY" Production Assistant and Post Production training programs. A collaboration between BWI and the New York City Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, their mission is to give unemployed and low-income New Yorkers a chance to work in the dynamic field of film and television production whether on-set or in post-production editing video or creating visual effects. BWI helps to provide skilled labor needed to support the ever-growing industry and New York economy. Skilled labor needed to continue to attract networks to film their productions and complete post-production work in NYC.

We also congratulate those who were honored at the Gala for their role in supporting BWI's mission, including:

• EXTRAORDINARY SUPPORTER Post New York Alliance

• OUTSTANDING EMPLOYER Crewforce

• OUTSTANDING EMPLOYER Total Transportation

• OUTSTANDING EMPLOYER Picture Farm

• CATALYTIC PARTNER Innovation Lab Partners

• INSPIRATIONAL GRADUATE Kareem Edwards

A Peek Inside the Arthur Kill Prison at Staten Island Stages, LLC

The Business Insider was given a special sneak peek inside the Arthur Kill Prison at the Staten Island Stages, LLC facility on Staten Island. Shows and films like "Orange is the New Black," "Daredevil," and "Ocean's 8" have used this facility as a backdrop for their story lines, needing an authentic penitentiary vibe.  

The 69-acre Arthur Kill campus, located in the Charleston section of Staten Island, was acquired in 2017. Plans are underway for upgrades and construction of additional sound stages. We're excited to see the full potential of this facility and to realize the economic growth it will bring to Staten Island.  

Check out the story and take your own sneak peek inside the Arthur Kill Prison at The Business Insider.

Record-Breaking First Quarter for NY Film Incentive Program

New York's film tax credit program boasted another record-breaking first quarter. There was a significant increase from 2018 in all of the key indicators including number of applications, hires, and estimated spend.

With the tax credit extended to 2024 by Governor Cuomo, we expect these numbers to continue to grow, bringing more jobs and economic growth to the state and local economies. Gina Argento, President and CEO of Broadway Stages, said "New York's booming TV and film production industry creates well-paying jobs each year and the program's extension ensures productions will continue to come to New York and generate revenue for smaller businesses that work with those productions. We are glad that the program has been renewed and look forward to hosting many more productions at our 50+ sound stages around New York City, and creating thousands of meaningful jobs."

Click here to read about the record-breaking first quarter.

Blue Bloods Wedding of the Year - A Must See!

Be sure to tune into CBS this Friday, May 10 to catch the wedding of the year. Eddie and Jamie's nuptials are must see TV! Broadway Stages is proud to be the film production partner of "Blue Bloods" since their first season aired in 2010.

Filmed near our headquarters in Greenpoint, the Regans have been part of the Broadway Stages family for almost a decade, and we couldn't be more delighted.  Congratulations to "Blue Bloods" for nine successful seasons. We can't wait to see what happens in season 10. And of course congratulations to Eddie and Jamie! We'll be watching.