The Audition's the Thing

Whiting is a Broadway director and choreographer who has worked on shows such as Young Frankenstein, Hairspray, The Producers, Jersey Boys and Wicked. He founded the Open Jar Institute six years ago and is currently its artistic director. “When I first moved to New York City, I made every mistake in the book,” he said. “I decided that when I had time, I would hold workshops so that students wouldn’t make the same mistakes as I. In this boot camp, students will be getting the opportunity to work with people who have the most current information about what to do in an audition.”

The name “Open Jar Institute” is based on a philosophy that Whiting came across early in his career. A study showed that when put in a sealed jar, fleas jump, hitting the top of the jar. After several days, the fleas jumped only partway up the jar. Once the top of the container was removed, the fleas continued to jump below the opening.

This study motivated Whiting and the other professionals who developed this boot camp. “It’s about how I’m going to make my own future,” Whiting explained. “I’m going to keep on jumping {like the fleas} and be as persistent as possible. When you become more persistent, that’s when you start achieving success.”

Audition Boot Camp brings its show to Syracuse Monday, July 27. “I’ve done lots of workshops in Syracuse, and I’m always impressed by the level of talent of these students,” Whiting noted.

Students of all levels are encouraged to participate. “I think the people who will enjoy the boot camp the most are students who are interested in or are considering pursuing acting as a career,” he added. “The purpose of this workshop is to share the realities of the business with students who are thinking about coming to New York City. This workshop will give students the opportunity to interact with professional actors and to just pick their brains about what the reality of daily life is for actors in New York.”

And insider dope is always useful. “Students will take away not only a knowledge of what it is like to audition for a Broadway show, but they’ll also take away the knowledge that their talent is unique to them,” Whiting continued. “That’s what we’re looking for. We want them to know who they are and to help them to be confident in themselves. The truth is that we’re looking for individuals. So many actors today think they have to dye their hair or change themselves to be unique. That’s not true. We really just want students to feel comfortable with who they are and their talent and realize that that is enough. It’s better to be who you are and to find confidence in that.”

This workshop will help aspiring actors and Broadway professionals get an insider’s view of these careers, and that rejection is part of the process. “Being an actor in New York City is extremely challenging and competitive,” Whiting said. “Really getting a head start as quickly as you can is ideal. People who get good training when they’re young are the ones who get the jobs.”

The workshop will be held Monday, July 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at North Syracuse Junior High School, 5353 W. Taft Road, North Syracuse. The workshop costs $85 to attend. Space is limited. Sign up at www.openjarproductions.com or call Sue Teater at 559-2835 for more information.

–Stephanie Fazio