Spotlight | Unlimited Athletics Group

Welcome to Broadway Stages' Spotlight, where we feature local shops, restaurants, organizations, individuals, and venues that provide goods and services to our community. This week, we would like to share the great work at Unlimited Athletics Group on Staten Island.

Just down the road from Broadway Stages' Staten Island campus at the former Arthur Kill Correctional Facility, you can find Unlimited Athletics Group (UAG). This unique gym offers accessible and engaging programs for differently abled and neurodivergent athletes. They see significant gains in fine and gross motor skills, socialization, and communication skills using fun activities and sports!

The programs at UAG aim to empower athletes and give participants a feeling of achievement, fellowship, and confidence. They accomplish this with on-site occupational therapy overseen by Facility Director Stephen Edelstein, OTR/L, and physical therapy guided by Co-Director Gina Giordano, PT. Through inclusive programs, every athlete can participate, progress, and find fulfillment through athletics.

Each class includes activities such as baseball, football, basketball, pickleball, frisbee, floor hockey, soccer, ninja courses, yoga, e-sports, mindfulness, and beyond. Moreover, the facility houses a wide selection of cardio and fitness equipment.

UAG has various programs to meet the needs of its exceptional athletes. Lil' Leaguers builds a foundation of teamwork and basic athletic skills. At the same time, the Youth Athletics Group exposes participants to specific skills and gameplay dynamics.

Rising Stars uses an individualized approach to facilitate group activities such as flag football, basketball, baseball, kickball, floor hockey, and more.

On Wednesday, adult athletes can focus on fitness, athleticism, and wellness with Wednesday Warriors. And they can build on that fitness with the Advanced Athletics Group where they will gain fluency in skills for competitive sports.

And finally, the weekend holds Friday Night Lights and Saturday Sport Squad. Athletes can enjoy a fully adapted sports environment, meeting each participant's skill level.

With an extensive staff of high-energy yet patient coaches, the atmosphere is positive and inviting. As one satisfied customer put it, "Steve, Gina, and the staff at Unlimited Athletics Group are wonderful! They know each child well and work hard to help them succeed, all while having fun! My son has not only shown progress in his physical abilities but has also improved listening skills, waiting, and turn-taking, which can sometimes be challenging while in a group setting. He looks forward to seeing Coach Steve every week and is comfortable in the sensory-friendly facility. We are so lucky to be part of this great community class!"

To become an Unlimited Athlete, contact the facility and schedule an intake. This will include an initial assessment of skills to kickstart participation in our program and explore which group would be most beneficial to the athlete. You can submit a contact form here or call them at 347-215-2223 to get started. While you are at it, follow them on Instagram and Facebook to see everything they are up to!

Broadway Stages is proud to be part of a community where people take pride in making a difference. And Unlimited Athletics Group is definitely making a difference. Another grateful parent noted, "Every individual that attends is made to feel so special and loved. My son gets much-needed physical therapy there once a week, and every Saturday, they have a group ‘play' therapy session that he also attends. He smiles the whole time he is there." So check out Unlimited Athletics Group today. And when you do, be sure to tell them Broadway Stages sent you!

Search Broadway Stages News | Delivered to Your In-box

Get the latest news from Broadway Stages delivered directly to your in-box each month. We provide information about our industry, local economic growth, our green initiatives, the arts, and our community. Subscribe by entering your email address at the bottom of this page, and you will start receiving the newsletter, effective with the next issue. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter

Bringing the Beauty of the Local Ecosystem to You with Untamed Flowers

MArni majorelle speaks at the broadway stages’ kingsland wildflowers festival.

Just over 100,000 square feet of green space lie across Broadway Stages' rooftops in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Of that, about 60,000 square feet are home to wildflowers, grasses, and organic produce that attract and protect the habitat for migratory birds and essential pollinators. Our Kingsland Wildflowers Green Roof Garden and Community Engagement Center comprises 24,000+ square feet of that space, which is available during seasonal open hours (Friday evenings, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.). There is also a portion of the green roof garden that is inaccessible to the public. This gave rise to a genius idea from Marni Majorelle, the founder of Alive Structures, who not only designed Kingsland Wildflowers, but also is responsible for its maintenance. Marni wanted to find a way to continue to share her passion for a robust and beautiful local ecosystem. She decided there was no better ambassador for this mission than the wildflowers themselves. And thus, Untamed Flowers was born.

Untamed Flowers is a new business that offers unique arrangements of local wildflowers, such as Wild Irises, Golden Alexanders, Wild Columbine, Arkansas Bluestar, Ninebark, and Hairy Beardtongue. Other varieties, such as Purple Prairie Clover, Milkweed, and Brown-Eyed Susans, will be available as the season progresses.  

Complementing the local wildflowers are fan favorites such as Tulips, Purple Verbena, and Poppies. Majorelle said this choice was made to ensure the local flora is not over-harvested. After all, they are a crucial part of the ecosystem, something she very much keeps in mind.

"These rooftops are special places. They are beautiful oases." Majorelle said. "These arrangements will raise awareness of native plants and green infrastructure. But the revenue will also aid in the care of the greenspace." She also added that in addition to the donated space and matching funds, Broadway Stages continues to help fund the upkeep of the rooftop meadows. 

Currently, Untamed Flowers offers custom arrangements for sale online. For special events, it is asked that you give a minimum of two weeks' notice. They also offer a subscription service where they deliver arrangements to your store, restaurant, or residence on a weekly basis. For more information, complete an online contact form or contact Marnie Majorelle at info@untamed-flowers.com. 

You can also find Untamed Flowers products available through the Greenpoint Williamsburg CSA, with deliveries going out on Saturdays and Wednesdays. Majorelle tries to attend the J.J. Byrne Farmers' Market at Park Slope every other Sunday for those looking to buy in person. In addition to getting a special floral display, you can learn about the special flowers in them and their role in keeping Greenpoint green.

She noted, "These arrangements are not found in your typical florist. These are special flowers that reflect the original nature here." In addition to the arrangements, she hopes to develop a small nursery and seed company in the future. 

Untamed Flowers is an exceptional business for a lot of reasons. It represents the value of local flora and fauna. It shows the potential of an investment in green infrastructure. It is the product of Majorelle's passion for integrating nature into our city, making it a healthier and more resilient place for humans and other species to live. And it embodies Broadway Stages' commitment to being a responsible neighbor, professionally and environmentally,and one that supports local businesses. We urge you to contact Untamed Flowers today to order your bespoke bouquet. And when you do, be sure to tell them Broadway Stages sent you!

Snug Harbor Cultural Center | Summer Update

Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden on Staten Island is a hub of activity all year round, but especially in the summer! There is something for everyone, from agriculture to yoga, not to mention historical tours, scholarly lectures, and artistic performances.

One great example is the Cottage Row Curiosities, held every third Saturday through October. These events bring live music and more than 40 local vendors selling artisan goods and food. The grounds also host a number of cultural Festivals, like the 4th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Festival on June 22 (12-6 p.m.) and the 15th Annual Polish Festival on June 30 (12-8 p.m.), to name a few that are coming up.

Vibrant community arts programming throughout the summer highlights the Cultural Center's exhibitions and residencies while bringing Snug Harbor's unique campus to life. For instance, up next is The Snug Harbor Dance Festival (SHDF): ChoreoLab, an intentionally creative space for dance artists to explore process, experimentation, and community on June 23 (2-3:30 p.m.).

For those with young ones, the Staten Island Children's Museum (SICM) on the grounds of Snug Harbor is full of activities and spaces for ages 1 and up! With ten indoor and two outdoor exhibits and a dedicated art workshop, young people can be entertained while expanding their minds on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. Mark July 20 on your calendars because Broadway Stages will sponsor "The Summertime Rocket Show!" from Mad Science of New York and Westchester.

If you like to get down and dirty, Saturdays are for stewardship! Join the staff at Snug Harbor for a day of hands-on volunteering and learn about small-scale, sustainable urban farming, large areas of natural landscapes, and/or a healthy coastline ecosystem.

With something for everyone on their monthly calendar, you will surely find the right event for you. While you are at it, follow their Instagram and Facebook pages, too. Your donations are welcome if you want to support the events and programs at Snug Harbor.

In addition to fourteen distinctive gardens spread across the campus, the campus is also home to the Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art, the New York Chinese Scholar's Garden, the Staten Island Museum, and The Noble Maritime Collection. With the Discovery Pass at Snug Harbor, you can visit these sites with just one $20 admission ticket, valid for an entire year.

Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden's main outdoor grounds and gardens are free of charge to the public, open 7 days a week from dawn to dusk, and do not require advance registration or ticketing. Best of all, pets are allowed! So, plan your visit today, and be sure to tell them that Broadway Stages sent you.

Reflect Upon Juneteenth by Remembering the True Stories of Former Slaves and Abolitionists

Since 2021, the United States has recognized Juneteenth as a federal holiday. Americans and people around the globe are still learning about the newest addition to the nation's official calendar.

Its history dates back to June 19, 1865, when Union troops rode into Galveston, Texas, and announced that all slaves were free as a result of the Emancipation Proclamation. The order went into effect in 1863, but it was not fully enforced across the nation until Union troops arrived in remote areas of Texas, which was the last state to abide by the proclamation. The newly freed Texans called the day Juneteenth.

To highlight the long history of the day and its deep significance, we have compiled a list of films and miniseries about people who fought against the tyranny of slavery. Remember their stories as you reflect upon the meaning of the day.

Joseph Cinqué – "Amistad" (1997)

In late June of 1839, the Spanish slave ship La Amistad departed Havana en route to sugar plantations in central Cuba. The schooner did not reach its intended destination, as a few days later the four dozen shackled men on board escaped their chains and took over the ship. The revolt was led by Sengbe Pieh, who later became known as Joseph Cinqué.

Cinqué and the other men attempted to force the ship's surviving crew members to return them to Mendeland (present-day Sierra Leone), where they had been abducted several months earlier by slave catchers. The crew instead sailed north, and they were captured by U.S. authorities off the coast of Long Island. They were then imprisoned and put on trial in the case United States v. The Amistad.

While the two Spaniards who purchased the men asserted that they were their property and should be returned to them, the men and their attorneys argued that they were free Africans who had been abducted and illegally sold into slavery. The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court in 1841, where former President John Quincy Adams defended them. They won their freedom, and abolitionists raised funds so they could return to Africa.

Steven Spielberg shared their inspiring story in the critically acclaimed historical drama "Amistad," starring Djimon Hounsou as Cinqué and Matthew McConaughey as Roger Sherman Baldwin, the lawyer defending the abducted Africans. Anthony Hopkins earned an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Adams. The film also includes powerful performances by Morgan Freeman and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Solomon Northup – "12 Years a Slave" (2013)

Solomon Northup was born in upstate New York in 1807. As the son of a freed slave and a free woman of color, he was born a free man. By 1841 he had become a respected violinist, a landowner and farmer, a husband, and a father to three children. But everything changed that year when he took a traveling musician's job in Washington, D.C.

Slavery was still legal in the nation's capital at that time, and his traveling companions drugged him then sold him to a local slave trader. He was shipped to New Orleans where he was purchased and forced to work on a Louisiana plantation for over a decade.

In 1853 Northup met an abolitionist who wrote to his family and friends in New York detailing his plight. His family pleaded with the governor to intercede so he could regain his freedom. Once freed, Northup returned to New York and penned the memoir "Twelve Years a Slave," which was adapted into the award-winning film starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, directed by Steve McQueen. Northup spent his later years speaking on behalf of the abolitionist movement, encouraging Americans to rally against the institution of slavery by sharing his story.

Harriet Tubman – "Harriet" (2019)

Harriet Tubman's story is one of the more well-known slave narratives. But even if you are already familiar with her escape from slavery and involvement with the Underground Railroad, it is another thing to see it all brought to life on screen.

Directed by Kasi Lemmons and starring Cynthia Erivo, "Harriet" follows Araminta "Minty" Ross (later known as Harriet Tubman after adopting her mother's first name and husband's last) as she escapes the Maryland plantation where she was born, takes a perilous journey north to Philadelphia, then returns south numerous times to rescue her family members and other slaves.

Leslie Odom Jr. co-stars as William Still, a conductor on the Underground Railroad and chairman of The Vigilant Association of Philadelphia. Throughout his life, Still helped more than 600 slaves escape to freedom. Janelle Monáe portrays a fictional free woman who owns a boarding house in Philadelphia and befriends Tubman.

The film earned Erivo her first Oscar nominations; she garnered a nod for Best Actress as well as Best Song for "Stand Up," which she performed and co-wrote.

John Brown – "The Good Lord Bird" (2020)

Abolitionist John Brown is well-known for inciting a slave rebellion in Harpers Ferry, Virginia (current-day West Virginia) a few years before the start of the Civil War. But many know little else about the deeply religious man whose actions played a major role in the lead-up to the war.

While most abolitionists employed peaceful methods in their fight to end slavery, Brown took a more confrontational stance. A few years before the infamous raid at Harpers Ferry, Brown took part in Bleeding Kansas, a series of conflicts fought as the territory of Kansas was deciding whether to join the Union as a slave state or a free one.

In October 1859, Brown led a raid on the federal armory at Harpers Ferry with the intention of arming slaves so they could fight back against their captors. The raid failed, and he was tried for treason, murder, and inciting a slave insurrection. After being found guilty of all charges, Brown was executed.

"The Good Lord Bird" is based on James McBride's novel of the same name, which tells Brown's story from the point of view of a fictional slave. The Showtime miniseries garnered numerous accolades, and Ethan Hawke earned rave reviews for his portrayal of Brown.

Spotlight | Center for Anti-Violence Education

May is LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Throughout the month, Broadway Stages will feature and celebrate exceptional people, businesses, and organizations of the LGBTQ+ communities. We invite you to join us in recognizing their accomplishments and contributions! Today, we visit the historic Center for Anti-Violence Education in Brooklyn.

What is known today as the Center for Anti-Violence Education was originally founded in 1974 as Brooklyn Women’s Martial Arts (BWMA). BWMA was a training space for women (including lesbians and bisexuals) as part of the feminist anti-violence movement. The organization holds a special place in PRIDE history as it was the first in New York City to teach self-defense to transgender individuals and the first in the nation to do so for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Later, in 1990, it was renamed the Center for Anti-Violence Education (CAE), taking it from a volunteer organization with a visionary mission to a nationally recognized leader in violence prevention. Remaining constant throughout has been its work to build collective and individual strength to end violence and stand up for justice. CAE empowers women, LGBTQ individuals, young people, and survivors to build leadership skills, heal from past abuse, and break cycles of violence in their lives and communities. Over the years, CAE has reached more than 56,000 people with its unique violence prevention programs.

While the organization is multifaceted, three programs dominate its work. The first program, Empowerment Self Defense, dates back to its founding days. These workshops equip their participants with tools to apply to a range of interpersonal situations. There is self-defense in a traditional physical sense. But the skill imparted goes beyond this. Also explored are verbal, emotional, and social techniques. These techniques include assertiveness, de-escalation, situational awareness, and self-care practices for healing from violence. Each session is facilitated through a trauma-informed lens and centers on the experiences of those most at risk for violence.

But for those interested in regularly practicing traditional self-defense, there is the Brooklyn Goju, a new incarnation of the original karate program.

The Upstander program provides the perspectives and tools to center humanity across identity groups. An Upstander is defined as someone who takes action when they see an act of intolerance; speaks or acts in support of an individual or cause, intervening on behalf of a person being attacked or bullied; and actively works to create an anti-oppressive world. The interactive workshops are open to anyone looking for interpersonal tools to prevent, disrupt, and help heal from violence in their communities.

And Youth Power, CAE’s youth programs, provide methods to actively prevent, disrupt, and help heal from violence while supporting young people through the issues they face daily. They offer two programs that cater to young girls and teens, both cis and trans and gender-expansive youth. First is PACT (Power Action Change for Teens). This free, youth-based program aims to create a safe space for young people as they grow into adulthood. The second is Peer Educators. This stipended program leads workshops for young people at schools and community centers, foster care agencies, and other organizations that work with youth across New York City.

Click here for more information on these and other CAE workshops. To stay abreast of all other happenings at CAE, be sure to follow them on Instagram and Facebook. Most importantly, to add your financial support to the cause, click here.

Seeking a more just, peaceful world is something everyone can support. Broadway Stages knows the communities where we live and work are better places because of the excellent work the Center for Anti-Violence Education is doing every day. We are grateful for all the good they have brought to our city since 1974.

Broadway Stages’ 2024 Arts Residency Award Recipient | Seema Lisa Pandya

Congratulations to Seema Lisa Pandya on being named Broadway Stages' 2024 Arts Residency Award Recipient.

Brooklyn-based Pandya is a multidisciplinary artist. Her wide-ranging work includes fine art, public art, sculpture, painting, photography, woodworking, light sculptures, kinetic interactive sculptures, and building-integrated installations. She aims to connect audiences with an experiential awareness of nature and primordial forms with its roots in sustainability, biology, and physics.

In addition to being a practicing artist, Pandya is an accomplished sustainability consultant and green building educator. In her capacity as an educator, she teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in sustainability at FIT SUNY and is currently at the New York School of Interior Design.

Her featured work this summer is "Resonant Nature," a sculptural installation devised for the Kingsland Wildflowers Green Roof. This work features vertical sculptures that echo nature's vibration patterns. The sculptures integrate into the rooftop ecosystem with bird perches and insect shelters.

The size and spacing of the sculptural work are designed using the golden ratio and the Fibonacci Sequence, mathematical proportions found everywhere in nature. Moreover, the primary sculptural material “Richlite” was chosen for its sustainability. It is a strong paper stone made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper fiber and phenolic resin. Its composition remains sustainable but is also made to withstand the elements.

"Resonant Nature" will be unveiled at the inaugural event of this year's We Are Nature series by NOoSPHERE Arts on June 22. On this occasion, Pandya will discuss the work and her inspiration. This is a donation-based event, and tickets are available here.

The Broadway Stages' Arts Residency Award is granted with a consideration of both artistry and ecology. We are proud to sponsor Seema Lisa Pandya and her work “Resonant Nature.” Be sure to stop by Kingsland Wildflowers this summer during their open hours (Friday evenings, 5 to 8 p.m.) to get fully immersed in the installation!

NYC Bird Alliance | New Name, Same Mission

On June 5, members of NYC Audubon voted to change the name of the organization to New York City Bird Alliance, Inc. The decision, one that has also been taken by several former Audubon organizations across the nation, was made in light of John James Audubon’s full legacy.

Known as the founding father of American birding, John James Audubon is revered for his contributions to art and ornithology and his advocacy for the creation of the country’s first natural history museum in the United States. It was this spirit of conservationism and a growing movement to protect birds that inspired the foundation of the National Audubon Society in 1905, more than 50 years after Audubon’s death in 1851.

But John James Audubon was also a slave owner and espoused anti-abolitionist views. The harmful effects of his actions continue today, and the organization was faced with confronting this racist legacy as they work toward inclusivity and fellowship through the love of birds. 

The name-change decision involved a two-year robust and inclusive process involving numerous stakeholders. Before settling on the new name, over 250 names were considered based on input from more than 1,000 people. The new name that was chosen makes sense for a couple of reasons. For starters, several other formerly-named Audubon chapters chose the wording of “Bird Alliance.” Using the same wording reflects their mutual affiliation. While the legal name will be New York City Bird Alliance, Inc., it will usually be called NYC Bird Alliance.

Moreover, the word “alliance” indicates the communal nature of the organization. NYC Bird Alliance is acutely aware that their effectiveness is due in large part to the committed group of members, activists, and conservation partners who champion birds every day. The organization considers itself allies and a voice for the birds themselves.

But make no mistake, while the name has changed, the mission is the same, and it remains strong. Birds face enormous perils, from habitat loss and climate change to collisions with buildings that have not installed bird safe glass and threats from rodenticide. It will take a dedicated alliance of like-minded people to advocate for our feathered friends and for a livable habitat for all of us.

Broadway Stages has long admired the excellent work done by the NYC Bird Alliance. We have worked together on the creation of our Kingsland Wildflowers Green Roof and Community Engagement Center, and are proud to be a member of the Board. We look forward to our continued advocacy and celebration of the birds of New York City.

We encourage you to become a member, get involved and/or make a donation. Your commitment helps to protect the more than 300 species of birds that nest in, migrate through, or call New York City home. Join us!

Spotlight | Queer Food Foundation

May is LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Throughout the month, Broadway Stages will feature and celebrate exceptional people, businesses, and organizations of the LGBTQ+ communities. We invite you to join us in recognizing their accomplishments and contributions! Today, we share with you the story of the Queer Food Foundation.

The Pandemic of 2020 was an impetus for change in many aspects of our society. One industry hit the hardest was food service. To aid their peers, a group of motivated culinary workers formed the Queer Food Foundation (QFF) in 2020. The QFF is a collective of queer individuals who work throughout the food system.

However, a need to expand its mission became apparent not long after its founding. As people within the network shared, the members discussed the challenges they face within the industry and their lack of representation to address those needs. For instance, according to the non-profit One Fair Wage, about 20 percent of workers in the culinary industry are from the LGBTQ+ community, and well over three-quarters of workers surveyed have witnessed or experienced transphobia or homophobia while working in the industry, either from customers or coworkers.

With this, the QFF has grown to become a place for skill sharing and community building, for queer expression in food, and to advocate for more inclusive food industry spaces. A new generation of queer restaurants and chefs are mobilizing to create change — and the QFF is leading the way. The foundation is a nationwide resource for LGBTQ+ food workers, from front-of-house workers all the way to farmers. In addition to advocating for more inclusive spaces in the industry, QFF creates mutual aid networks and funds queer food ventures. 

Along with the Queer Food Fund, two key programs QFF has are the QFF Directory and the Queer All Year Program. The QFF Directory is a virtual space where members can network. Does your restaurant need a sommelier? Check the QFF Directory. Need help creating a new menu? Check the directory. The directory is still new but it already boasts robust numbers!

The Queer All Year Program is about showcasing people and organizations who you should support. The idea is to establish long-term partnerships rather than friendships that last through Pride and LGBTQ+ History Month. Currently, the list includes Bento Box, the James Beard Foundation, Resy, and more.

QFF's good work depends on support for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. If you are interested, you can pledge your financial support here. Also, you can find information about its local events and programs by following it online on both Instagram and Facebook.

When asked what queer hospitality meant to her, Executive Director and Co-Founder Vannesa Parish said, "It means existing in spaces where everyone can be harmoniously themselves and can be celebrated for their individuality. We group ourselves off a lot — we have to for survival, especially in hospitality. We want to eliminate fears like "Can I apply to this place? Will I make enough money to live?"

Broadway Stages looks forward to a day when no one fears whether they can apply for work or earn a living wage. But we know that with hard-working, forward-thinking groups like Queer Food Foundation, this will someday be a thing of the past.

WE ARE NATURE 2024 | A Vibrant Tapestry

Nature flows as one with time. It is an intricate web of relations coming together. No one celebrates this better than NOoSPHERE Arts with their WE ARE NATURE (WAN) annual performance series held at Broadway Stages’ Kingsland Wildflowers Green Roof and Community Engagement Center in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

This year's WAN series theme is "A Vibrant Tapestry." NOoSPHERE Arts reminds us that we are all part of a web, of which no part is more fundamental. Taken together, we are all a beautiful work of art. In a time fraught with polarities, it is important to remember that a multitude of colors and shapes are needed to make up the rich, resplendent, and resilient tapestry that is life.

NOoSPHERE Arts' longtime mentor and collaborator, the leading systems thinker Fritjof Capra, is again collaborating on the series. His guidance can be seen in this year's theme. He has postured that ecological awareness, at the deepest level, is the intuitive awareness of the oneness of all life. He suggests that spirituality could be defined as the mode of consciousness in which we feel connected to the cosmos as a whole.

This summer, you can explore and expand on his wisdom with four curated experiences. On June 22, there will be a celebration of the Solstice. With doors opening at 6:45 p.m., the evening will feature author Daisy Bugarin in its opening ceremony. And the Artichoke Dance Company will decorate the evening with the joy of movement. Crowd favorite Fantasy Grandma will be on hand to entertain the guests, and Assylay Zhamkenova will provide the music for the evening. 

In addition, don’t miss the unveiling of Resonant Nature (a sculptural installation devised for the Kingsland Wildflowers Green Roof) by the 2024 season's Broadway Stages’ Arts Residency Award @ Kingsland Wildflower winner Seema Lisa Pandya. Resonant Nature features vertical sculptures that echo nature's vibration patterns, integrating into the rooftop ecosystem with bird perches and insect shelters, designed using the Golden Ratio and Fibonacci Sequence, and made from sustainable Richlite material. Get your tickets now!

The series continues on July 27 with the annual Kingsland Wildflowers Festival at Broadway Stages located at 520 Kingsland Avenue in Greenpoint, and on September 21 as part of Climate Week. Later in the season, WAN will participate in Open House New York on October 19 and close things out on October 26.

Broadway Stages always looks forward to the great things that NOoSPHERE Arts brings, and none more than the annual WE ARE NATURE series. This year is sure to engage and inspire. Please join us!

NYC Audubon | Governor's Island Artists in Residence Announced

For the last few years, NYC Audubon has offered two local artists a fantastic opportunity to develop and showcase their work on Governors Island. In addition to space and resources, this six-month residency program allows the artists to learn about birds and wildlife conservation in the unique context of urban natural space with like-minded experts.

Working out of a historic house at Governors Island's Colonels' Row from May through October, the artists will present works in progress as part of Governors Island Open Studios events. Moreover, they will exhibit works in the first-floor gallery space at NYC Audubon's seasonal environmental center throughout the 2024 season. As a bonus, they will lead at least one conservation-focused art workshop for Island visitors during their residency.

This year's Artists in Residence are Kiera Bono, an interdisciplinary choreographer, artist, and Ph.D. Candidate in Theatre and Performance at The Graduate Center, CUNY, and Susie Oh, a Brooklyn-based illustrator and artist

Bono's work engages questions surrounding disability, queerness, food, and diaspora. In doing so, their work explores performances of assimilation and resistance. They have taught Queer Theatre and Performance and Theatre History courses at The City College of New York and have worked as a Writing Fellow at the CUNY School of Professional Studies.

Oh has been fascinated with nature since her youth in rural South Korea. This fascination was later infused with a sense of storytelling through the narrative art in New York City's public libraries. She has studied at Pratt Institute, the American Museum of Natural History, and the New York Botanical Garden. Her debut picture book, “Soomi's Sweater,” was a silver medal winner of the 2020 Key Colors Illustrators Competition.

NYC Audubon's Governors Island Artists in Residence program combines two of Broadway Stages' passions: the arts and the environment. We are sure these two artists will capture the true essence of NYC Audubon, a healthy, rich habitat for both New Yorkers and our feathered friends. So, stop by Governor's Island this summer and be sure to stop by the Audubon House on Colonels’ Row. And when you do, be sure to tell them Broadway Stages sent you!

Inside Broadway Stages | What's Filming

As we head into summer, we are excited to welcome back the stars of several of our hit shows for work on their new seasons. We are also thrilled to welcome new productions to our studios. Read on to find out more about what's happening at our facilities.

"Poker Face" Filming Season Two in New York

In the first season of Peacock's hit case-of-the-week murder mystery series "Poker Face," human lie detector Charlie Cale (Natasha Lyonne) traveled from town to town solving crimes while hiding from casino boss Cliff LeGrand (Benjamin Bratt). In season two, Charlie will find herself in the Big Apple, and we are ecstatic to welcome the cast and crew to town.

When we last saw Charlie, she was on the run again after Cliff and rival casino owner Beatrix Hasp (voiced by Rhea Perlman) attempted to frame her for murder in Atlantic City. Following Cliff's arrest by the FBI, Charlie was given a dire choice: work with Beatrix and her crime syndicate or keep running.

Series creator Rian Johnson ("Knives Out") and sister showrunners Nora and Lilla Zuckerman ("Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.") are back in the writers' room, and filming is scheduled to begin in July.

Carrie Coon Has a Busy Summer Ahead With "The Gilded Age" and "The White Lotus"

Broadway Stages is proud to provide our facilities for HBO's popular period drama "The Gilded Age," which will be returning for a third season. Set in the early 1880s, "The Gilded Age" features an ensemble cast that includes Morgan Spector and Carrie Coon as the nouveau riche couple George and Bertha Russell who are trying to find their place in high society.

Coon has certainly found her place at HBO, as she has been cast in the third season of the network's hit satirical drama series "The White Lotus," which is filming in Thailand. Though set halfway around the world from one another and taking place more than a century apart, both series focus on the timeless struggle between the haves and the have nots. Reportedly, Coon will travel to New York in July to begin filming the new season of "The Gilded Age" immediately after wrapping up her work in Thailand.

In the season two finale, Bertha won the opera war, but it may have come at a steep price. She seemingly promised her daughter Gladys (Taissa Farmiga) to the Duke of Buckingham despite George's insistence that Gladys marry for love, not money or power.

We do not know much about what will happen in the third season, except that filming will take place across New York, with additional shoots in Providence, Rhode Island. In a recent interview with "Variety," Spector suggested that there will be drama in the Russell household. We will let you know when we find out more!

Tom Selleck and Steve Schirripa Discuss the Final Season of "Blue Bloods"

"Blue Bloods" has been a Friday night staple on CBS since 2010. Despite pleas from cast members and fans alike, the long-running drama about a family of law enforcement officials has just eight episodes remaining. Broadway Stages has been there since day one, and we will still be there cheering on the cast and crew when CBS airs the final Reagan family dinner this fall.

Tom Selleck recently appeared on CBS's "The Talk" to discuss his long career and offer advice to host Amanda Kloots, who will make a guest appearance in the final season. The TV legend has appeared as family patriarch and New York City Police Commissioner Frank Reagan in nearly 300 episodes of the hit show, which was the ninth most-watched TV series of the 2023-2024 season.

Additionally, actor Steve Schirripa, who has played Detective Anthony Abetemarco since 2015, recently spoke to CBS News Boston about his time on the show and discussed the mid-season finale titled "The Heart of a Saturday Night," which included a guest appearance from Aidan Quinn ("Elementary"). Schirripa is also well known for the five seasons he portrayed mobster Bobby Baccalieri on "The Sopranos."

"Evil" Drops First Two Episodes of Its Final Season

The end is near for the critically acclaimed paranormal series "Evil," with the first two episodes of the fourth and final season now streaming on Paramount+. Critics have awarded the new season a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes, a rare feat also shared by season three. The final season will include 14 episodes, with a new one dropping on the streaming service every Thursday into August.

The supernatural drama follows a forensic psychologist (Katja Herbers) who partners with a technical contractor (Aasif Mandvi) and Catholic priest-in-training (Mike Colter) to investigate supernatural events.

"Evil" began its run on CBS in 2019 then moved to Paramount+ in 2021. Earlier this year, Netflix brought the show to even more homes, as the first two seasons are now available to watch on the streamer. Broadway Stages has provided facilities for the show's entire four-season run, and we have truly enjoyed having the cast and crew film at our facilities all these years.

Prime Video's "Harlem" Announces Recurring Cast Members for Season Three

Filming recently commenced on the third season of the comedy series "Harlem," and fans will notice several new faces when the show returns.

Robin Givens ("Batwoman") and Gail Bean ("Snowfall") will play mother and daughter Jacqueline and Eva in the coming season. Bean's Eva is a venture capitalist who begins working with Tye (Jerrie Johnson). When we last saw Tye, she was attempting to move on with her life following her divorce.

Logan Browning ("Dear White People") will portray Portia, a childhood friend of Ian's (Tyler Lepley) who has recently returned to Harlem. Does her arrival mean he and Camille (Meagan Good) are officially through?

Kofi Siriboe ("Queen Sugar") will play a professional baseball player and love interest to one of the show's leading ladies. Speaking of whom, season two ended on a major cliffhanger. Someone is pregnant, but who? Fans will have to wait until season three to find out.

"FBI" Taps New Showrunner for Season Seven

Executive producer and showrunner Rick Eid is taking a step back from "FBI" after six seasons to focus on "Law & Order" and other projects. Mike Weiss, co-creator and showrunner of Hulu's "Death and Other Details," will take over the helm in the upcoming seventh season. Weiss also spent several seasons as an executive producer on another Dick Wolf series – NBC's police procedural "Chicago P.D." He additionally produced the popular drama series "The Mentalist," which ran for seven seasons on CBS.

"FBI" and its spin-offs "FBI: Most Wanted" and "FBI: International" will all return to Tuesday nights this fall. The original "FBI" has been renewed through nine seasons, while "Most Wanted" will run for at least one more season. Both series are filmed at Broadway Stages facilities.

Be sure to check out all of the productions above, and follow our blog and sign up for our newsletter to stay informed of updates on all of our productions.