FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Director/Choreographer Credits:

Broadway/NYC:  Bullets Over Broadway, Big Fish, The Scottsboro Boys, Young Frankenstein, Hair, Wicked (5th Anniv.), James Taylor Live (Carnegie Hall), Loch Lomond, Happiness (Lincoln Center), Single Wide (NYMF), Cookies (NYMF). National Tours:  Bullets Over Broadway, Young Frankenstein, The Producers, Hairspray, Rockin' Road to Dublin.  Opera: Kiss Me Kate (Glimmerglass), We Open In Paris (Glimmerglass).  Upcoming:  Little Dancer, The Baker's Wife, In the Light, Love Affair, Talent Springs Eternal, The Imaginary.

Jeff is also the creator of the StageWrite iPad app being used for productions and theatrical events around the globe.

jeffwhiting.com

stagewritesoftware.com

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Originally from upstate NY, David has been working in the fields of education and theater since graduating from Ithaca College. He is a vocal music teacher and coach, director, and actor currently teaching in Manhattan.

As a student, chaperone, group leader, and Program Director, David has experienced first hand the life changing effects of being part of the Open Jar family, and can't wait to share it with the next group of extremely talented students. It is his great pleasure to give each student the individualized attention they will need to grow, be safe, and jump out of the jar in the greatest city in the world this summer.

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR & COMPANY MANAGER

With a background in education Sue worked 15 years at Liverpool High School developing exploration internships for high school students. Sue was honored to worked for over 10 years with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children working on its Celebrity Charity events and the National Missing Children’s Day ceremonies at the FBI and the White House.

As the Development Director for The Open Jar Institute, Sue is responsible for educational outreach and development. She has traveled extensively looking to find the talented youth from across the country (and even internationally) and bring them to The Open Jar Institute. Sue also serves as Company Manager during the summer institute sessions overseeing the practical needs of each student while in New York.

STUDIO DIRECTOR

Don Alden began working with Open Jar in 2005 and has traveled the country in search of Broadway’s next generation of performing artists. Don loves coordinating our intern program and also organizes all of our special events and institute logistics. 

 Touring nationally and internationally, he was the Road Manager for the production company Le Clique. Performing credits include the National tour of DREAM GIRLS (Dave), the International tour of WEST SIDE STORY (Riff), and Regional Performances in CATS (Tumble Brutus), INTO THE WOODS (JACK), and FOREVER PLAID (JINX/SPARKY) to name a few.

He has also danced and toured nationally/internationally with The Dancers’ Co. and the Contemporary Dance Theatre.