Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment Presents Alysia Reiner with "Made in NY" Award

Award celebrates Reiner's significant contributions to New York City's entertainment industry

NEW YORK, December 14, 2017 – Today, Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment Commissioner Julie Menin gave actress and producer Alysia Reiner a Made in NY Award during the 40th Anniversary celebration of New York Women in Film and TV (NYWIFT) Muse Awards. Reiner is best known for her work portraying Warden Natalie Figueroa, a.k.a. "Fig" in the award-winning Netflix series, "Orange Is the New Black." She won a SAG award for her part in that ensemble cast, and she has acted in roles on hit shows "Better Things," "Broad City," and "Odd Mom Out."

"I cannot think of a more deserving recipient of a Made in NY award this year than Alysia Reiner," said Media and Entertainment Commissioner Julie Menin while giving the award to Reiner. "For her talent, commitment, optimism, intelligence and fierce advocacy, she deserves recognition beyond the filmmaking community. Congratulations, Alysia, and thank you for your continuing contributions to New York's vibrant culture."

"I grew up on the upper west side of Manhattan, I live in Harlem now and I feel blessed beyond measure to make a living as an artist, and to do so in this city," said Made in NY Award Recipient Alysia Reiner in her acceptance speech. "There is always some magical piece of art being made here. This city defines grit and perseverance. We are a group of humans who get back up, help the next person up, hopefully learn, and definitely tell a really funny story about it."

Intent on pushing the envelope for women, Reiner recently both produced and starred in a dark comedy about motherhood called "Egg," a movie written and directed by women, with all female heads of departments and a primarily female crew. Reiner also both produced and starred in the first female-driven Wall Street feature film, "Equity," with Anna Gunn, a project with a woman screenwriter and director. On stage, Reiner gave an Obie-award-winning performance off-Broadway in "An Oak Tree."

Equally impressive is Reiner's work behind the scenes. She is a passionate advocate for both women and the environment, has been invited to speak at the White House and the United Nations, and has developed her own eco-friendly, ethical fashion line which employs formerly incarcerated women. As a producer she is committed to making films with strong, complex female characters, and hiring predominately female heads of departments and crews.

Established in 2006, the Made in NY Awards celebrate excellence in New York City's creative community, and recognize the achievements of individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the City's entertainment and digital media industries. Last year's recipients, who were also awarded as part of the Gotham Awards, were Aziz Ansari and Judith Light.