"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!

"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.

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."

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.

Local USA 829 Scenic Apprentice Program at Broadway Stages' Staten Island Campus

Standing from left to right Apprenticeship Administrator Kelsey Harro, (with baby Emerson Harro), Shane Ingersoll, Sarah Rigney, Deputy Borough President Ed Burke, Hanna Wellish, USA 829 President Beverly Miller, Sol Metcalfe-McDonald, Broadway Stages’ President Gina Argento, Jared Flynn, Instructor Jacquelyn Marolt, and Athena Parella. Sitting from left to right Rosalind McKelvey-Bunting, Martin Petrov, and Murphey Wilkins.

Founded in 1897, the United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, an affiliate of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), is a labor union and professional association made up of over 4,000 members including designers, artists, craftspeople, and department coordinators. Organized to protect craft standards, working conditions, wages, and benefits for the entertainment and decorative arts industries, the members of Local USA 829 work in film, theatre, opera, ballet, television, industrial shows, commercials, and exhibitions.

In addition to negotiating agreements with major industry organizations, the Local offers its members a variety of courses, online training, and a three-year scenic artist apprenticeship program that is financed through a trust fund. As of September 2018, the program is being held in Staten Island at a facility donated by Broadway Stages and located at their new campus on Arthur Kill Road. The facility features a modern kitchen/lecture room, a separate tool room, and a large studio space with a brand-new paint deck. Surrounded by production studios, shops, and filming locations, the apprentices feel right at home.

Staten Island EDC Recognizes Broadway Stages With Top 31 Award

At this year's Staten Island Economic Development Corporation's (SIEDC) annual conference, Broadway Stages was recognized as one of the top 31 growing companies in the borough. Gina Argento, Broadway Stages' President and CEO, received the award on behalf of the company.

"We've put our heart and soul into our Staten Island campus in Arthur Kill and are excited to see the growth that it's bringing to the community," said Gina. "We are proud to be a member of the SIEDC and a part of the Charleston community."

In 2017 Broadway Stages acquired the 69-acre campus in Arthur Kill, located in the Charleston section of Staten Island. Today, it's being designed as a full-service production facility offering ample space for film, television, and music video productions of all sizes.

For additional information about the SIEDC annual conference, view the SI Live media report at SILive.com by Erik Bascome.

ABOUT THE SIEDC Since 1993 The SIEDC has served as the lead advocate for economic development on Staten Island. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, SIEDC's mission is to enhance Staten Island's economy by promoting public and private investment, and encouraging responsible and sustainable development, all of which improve the quality of life and provide broad and diverse employment opportunities in the borough. The annual business conference brings together Staten Island-based companies and provides opportunities for them to display their services and products, attend educational seminars and keynote panels, and offers networking opportunities. For more information about SIEDC, click here.

Broadway Stages Hosts Arthur Kill Pumpkin Patch in Staten Island

Broadway Stages is hosting The Arthur Kill Pumpkin Patch on Sunday, October 21, 2018 from noon to 3:30 p.m. at 2911 Arthur Kill Road in Staten Island. The autumnal celebration is free and includes Halloween-themed activities for children of all ages, including pumpkin picking, face painting, arts and crafts, snack, drinks, and more; there will also be free parking on site. And of course, costumes are encouraged! As your Arthur Kill neighbors, we welcome you to join us in celebrating the season and our Staten Island community. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions: community@broadway-stages.com.

About Broadway Stages in Staten Island
Broadway Stages has been an integral part of New York for over three decades and together with its clients has employed thousands of people and created hundreds of local jobs. In 2017 we purchased the 69-acre former Arthur Kill Correctional Facility located in the Charleston section of Staten Island. The facility, which once housed more than 900 inmates, is being converted into a state-of-the-art full-service production facility offering ample space for film, television, and music video productions of all sizes. For Staten Island, that means economic growth and community engagement.

Broadway Stages is hyperlocal focused and committed to helping create new economic opportunities in the local Staten Island community, including an estimated 1,500 jobs over the next several years. In addition, Broadway Stages plans to apply its sustainable business practices at its Staten Island campus, including solar energy and rooftop gardens.

Please follow us at Broadway Stages News for more information.

"Orange Is the New Black" Films Sixth Season Inside Broadway Stages' Arthur Kill Prison on Staten Island

Since acquiring the Arthur Kill Correctional Facility on Staten Island in 2017, Broadway Stages has opened the grounds to film crews like that of "Blindspot," "Ocean’s 8," and "Orange Is the New Black."

Filming at a former correctional facility, where reminders of its former inhabitants are etched in the walls, brings authenticity and creates a sense of reality for the actors.

Broadway Stages plans to invest $20 million into the renovation of the 67-acre, 400-cell prison, but much of the property will remain genuine. Within the first five years, Broadway Stages foresees the creation of more than 1,300 on-site jobs and 350 construction jobs to support improvements and expansion at the Staten Island location.  For the full article by Meghan Giannotta with amNY.com, click here.

Broadway Stages Expands With Staten Island Stages

Staten Island Stages is the all new film and TV destination for production companies all over New York. With our uniquely real-life prison setting, accompanied by Broadway Stages' signature ability to transform sound stages, Staten Island Stages is the next one-stop shop for all things film and TV.

Located on what was originally Arthur Kill Correctional Facility, the new 67-acre lot seeks to extensively grow and expand New York's incredibly successful film and TV industry. The addition of five full-service sound stages, 45 uniquely designed prison buildings, and 67 acres of open land opens a world of possibilities to the potential for shooting in New York. Following in the footsteps of New York's sister destination Hollywood, Staten Island Stages looks to achieve, grow, and harbor a community of passionate film and TV professionals to the New York area.

Staten Island Stages Right Around the Corner!

The former Arthur Kill Correctional Facility, located in Staten Island, has been vacant since 2011. Since 2013, Broadway Stages has been committed to redeveloping the facility into an economic center for the Staten Island community. Looking to bring the film and television industry into Staten Island, Broadway Stages wants to share the economic boon and benefits with local Staten Island business owners and residents.

It is no secret that film production requires not only hundreds of personnel to produce each episode but also require local services such as food, location, or supplies from local vendors. Just as Broadway Stages sources all of our resources from Brooklyn-based businesses, Staten Island Stages will follow the same commitment toward local neighborhood businesses. This translates to restaurants getting daily orders, Staten Island businesses selling construction material, and small businesses being paid to use their locations for filming. The reinvestment back into Staten Island will create a cycle of continual economic prosperity between the incoming film industry and business owners.

Since selected to develop the property in 2014, Broadway Stages has invested financial resources to bring the property up to code, provide working electric and water utilities, and hired security to develop the property. Even prior to yesterday's closing, Broadway Stages has been fully committed to maintaining the property for the past few years. With the closing completed, Staten Island Stages will be able to start construction for five new full sound stages, production offices, construction shops, and set dressing spaces. In total, upon the completion of Staten Island Stages, there will be an expected 1,300 new jobs created in the area, with the construction of the facility to employ 350 workers on the project.

Set to open in 2018, Staten Island Stages aims to become the best sound stage location for Staten Island and hopes to bring major economic benefits to Staten Island business owners and people. Staten Island Stages is coming soon!

Broadway Stages President Gina Argento Awarded at Staten Island Economic Development Corporation Business Conference

Broadway Stages President Gina Argento was recognized at the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation (SIEDC) Business Conference for her efforts in establishing the upcoming Staten Island Stages at the Arthur Kill Correctional Facility. The transformation of the old prison will bring about positive benefits and economic activity. Set to create five new sound stages that will attract film production companies, which will spend locally and gather local talent, the soon-to-come Staten Island Stages will operate as a hub of economic activity to boost Staten Island communities and businesses.

The SIEDC recognizes Gina's goal of transforming the unused Arthur Kill Correctional Facility into a production location to boost Staten Island's economy. At the 19th annual SIEDC Business Conference, Gina was awarded with one of the Top 31 Awards, which commends 31 businessmen and businesswomen who look to bring positive change to Staten Island.

NY1 covered the event and, citing support from Staten Island Borough President James Oddo, commented on the Arthur Kill development that "Every time you hear a director say action, that means there is economic activity happening."

Broadway Stages is excited for Staten Island Stages to come to the Arthur Kill Correctional Facility and for the positive economic impact it will have on the film industry and the region. We look forward to coming to Staten Island!