Cinespace builds 4 new stages; 2 films set up offices

Cinespace continues to expand its stage capacity, with four new sound stages now under construction that boost the total number of stages to 21.

“We took one big space that we had, not really a sound stage, and are in the process of constructing two stages, each 25,000-sq. ft. and two that are each 18,000-sq. ft.,” says Cinespace president Alex Pissios.

“They will bring the total amount of rental stage space to 86,000-sq. ft.”

Most likely, the occupant of the new stages will be “Chicago Med,” NBC’s new mid-season series that will settle into Cinespace in late July or August.

Meanwhile, two films headquartering at Cinespace will be shooting throughout South Side locations this summer.

Spike Lee’s anti-violence film, “Chiraq,” based on an ancient Greek comedy, starts filming June 1 for six weeks in Englewood and other South Side neighborhoods.

Parker Sawyers and Tike Sumpter portray the ObamasMoving into Cinespace offices June 8 is another movie that will film in Hyde Park and downtown, starting in late July or august.

Produced by Chicago native Bob Teitel, “Southside with You,” is a romance dramady about Michelle Robinson and Barack Obama’s first date in 1989 that included a screening of Lee’s “Do the Right Thing.”

Parker Sawyers (upcoming “Snowden”) is cast as Obama and Tike Sumpter (“Get On Up”) as the young Michelle Obama.

Richard Tanne (“Worst Friends”) wrote the script and will direct. Teitel is producing with IM Global.