Open Jar Residency Program?

[MarioSonic24601]

Posted: 2/28/18 at 1:10am

Hello! So I was just accepted into the Open Jar Summer Institute, and I'm super excited! I have read multiple testimonies about the Summer Institute, and I have friends who have gone before and had the times of their lives, so I'm not worried about my experience with that.

I was wondering, though, if anyone had any more insights on the Open Jar Residency Program, where they help recent college graduates transition into NYC and getting the connections they need. I am currently in college and I am thinking about saving my money for that program, but I haven't found any reviews or testimonies on it. Is it worth the money? Does it really help you transition into living in NYC? Are there any names I might know on Broadway now and/or recently that made it into the business thanks to this program? Once the program is done, have people still been able to sustain their income and balance in NYC? Based on the descriptions, it truly does sound like an incredible program, but I wanna hear something from someone else so I can know for sure.

Anything would be helpful, thank you so much! I am looking forward to attending the Summer Institute this summer!

~MarioSonic24601

[Timothy Scott]

Posted: 4/12/18 at 3:27pm

Hey I know this is a little old, but I was trying to find the dates of the program last year because I was in it and saw your post. I wanted to answer in case anyone else cares for the info. I was in it in 2017 after graduating in March.

Honestly, it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. In college they do not teach you what it is like to be an actor in New York City. The open jar residency program really helped me figure out a good balance between work, auditions, and life in general, while helping me find a job, housing, auditions, and network connections after moving there with 800 bucks, no job, and no apartment.

The staff were all outstanding. Jeff Whiting and Stacia Fernandez were vocal/life mentors and they told us to call, text, or email whenever we needed help wether it was what to bring or wear to an audition, to having a panic attack about moving to NYC they were there for me. David and Tanner the other staff members were also super friendly and helpful, David even came in early to work songs with people. These were probably the best mentors I've ever had.

As for the classes, all were in the afternoon to encourage auditioning every single day. Acting classes, 2 days a week, were with Carol Rosenfeld, who studied directly under Uta Hagen and taught her exercises. Really awesome work, but left me wanting a full semester to really get into the work.

Dance, also twice a week was with different broadway dancers every week including Richard Perlion, Dana Moore, and several with my favorite, Michael Fattica. OJ was good with different skill levels, sending higher leveled dancers to BDC or steps while us rookie dancers had technique which really helped. We always had a combo at the end of every session to work out our dance call skills.

Singing work was twice a week as well, working mostly on focusing your book and finding what shows you off best. I cut my book in half there, and found better songs than I ever did in college. They really pushed the acting of the song.

Then there were master classes that included singing technique from Jackie Presti, how to enter a room and the business of theatre with Jeff Whiting, w work sessions with casting directors from Telsey, Wojick-Seay, and a sit in of an audition session with Michael Cassara. We also got a Q&A with Susan Stroman, and a Q&A/audition session with Element Music which were both amazing. They also had several days of "self care" therapy about how to survive in this business and not get depressed. Those were surprisingly helpful.

Aside from the classes we got a tour of all the audition locations which was cool. And with the program we got to see 4 Broadway shows! We saw The Bands Visit, M. Butterfly, Prince of Broadway, and Once on this Island. We got to go backstage at TBV and POB and got to meet some of the actors, but at OOTI we got to sit in a tech rehearsal, and meet director Michael Arden, and talk to Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. That show and experience killed me.

The 5th week was all working on a showcase to present to a crowd of Casting Directors, agents, a little family, and other people in the theatre business. Honestly the best thing that came from that were the recordings of our songs and meeting people.

But the last week, oh man. We got to be part of a reading of a new musical, Love Affair, written by Joseph J. Simeone, and it starred Laura Osnes (literally the sweetest human on the planet,) Will Swenson, and Bryonha Marie Parham. An awesome experience and also gave us all a NY credit on the resume.

Now for the cons. The price is a little ridiculous, but it makes sense for the amount of work and training you get plus the shows and time from all the master classes. It was a little steep, and I had to spend my whole summer earnings on it. Most of these "broadway bound" programs are like that though. I wouldn't recommend the housing, I didn't have it but I wouldn't pay 5000 just to be in midtown. Another one was the showcase being built up to be this huge introduction of us to the business, with all these agents, and we were prepped on talking to agents and directors and such. Then like 2 agents showed up and some casting directors. It was definitely worth it for the recordings but still. Another small thing is they advertised "seeing 2 shows a week" up until we arrived. It was still up then, and when we were told about the 4 shows, I brought it up and they said no that would be way more expensive. Then suddenly it was not advertising that on their website... no big deal I said I'm just happy to see some shows. Just wish we knew what we what we were paying for. Last con is that with the timeline of classes every evening, a show every other Saturday might, 2 weeks of full day rehearsals at the end, and them pushing you to audition every morning left no time to work. I worked odd tech jobs or coat check jobs to get by until I was out and got my real job, but it was hard. Make sure to have either a set work schedule or a savings before going.

Overall, it was worth it. It helped me integrate into NYC, find a job and housing, become a better auditioner, learn how to learn fast (this is surprisingly imoortant,) and make some great friends and connections. I would definitely recommend it if you can swing the dough.

[MarioSonic24601]

Posted: 4/12/18 at 3:34pm

Thank you so much, this is all so helpful! I really appreciate it!