Summer FAQs
Congratulations on being accepted to the Open Jar Institute this summer! Please read our What to Expect packet and find the answers to your commonly asked questions below…
I’ve just been accepted to the program, how long do I have to decide if I will be attending?
We typically give all students two weeks from receiving their acceptance letter to inform us if they will be attending. It is a big decision, and if you need more time just let us know. If you’re unable to attend, please let us know so we can release your spot to another highly qualified student.
I want to attend, how do I reserve my spot?
Follow the link in your acceptance email to register at www.openjarinstitute.com/registration. To secure your spot, you will need to choose your session and other registration products (like student housing if you need it) and either pay a $500 deposit or the total balance.
How do your payment plans work?
You can either pay your total balance now, or choose one of the following payment plans:
1) $500 Deposit Now + 6 Monthly payments on the 1st or 15th of every month
2) $500 Deposit Now + 3 Monthly payments on the 1st or 15th of every month
Once you agree to a plan, your payments will be autocharged on the dates via the payment method saved on file and a receipt will be sent to you via email.
What payment methods do you accept and are there fees?
We accept credit card (Visa, MC, Amex), debit card, and direct bank transfer. There is 4% fee associated with paying via credit card/debit card. To avoid this, we recommend you pay via direct bank transfer or debit card. There is no fee associated with paying this way.
What is included in my tuition, and what is not?
Tuition for the program includes all masterclasses, meals Monday thru Friday, and tickets to three Broadway shows. It does not include travel. Housing with us at the Hyatt Regency Times Square (formerly known as the Crowne Plaza Times Square before its current renovation) is an optional add-on.
How does travel work to and from NYC?
Students (and families) are responsible for booking their own travel plans to and from New York City. We wish we had the ability to pick up students at the airport, but unfortunately we cannot with students arriving to all major airports throughout the day of registration. From the moment a student walks into Open Jar Studios, we are responsible for them.
Which airport do you recommend flying into?
All three airports will work in getting you to us. If you have choices, we recommend them in the following order of ease of getting to us:
1) LaGuardia
2) JFK
3) Newark
I’m concerned about getting from the airport to Open Jar Studios, how do I do this?
We understand this is an important safety issue for students and their families. In the spring, all students from the same session will be able to join a private group and share travel info to find others arriving to the same airport in the same timeframe. We have found the easiest and safest way to get to us is to use the taxi stands outside each airport terminal. These are staffed by airport employees who coordinate between you and the driver, and create a paper trail of the transaction. We find them very safe and have never had any issues. It can be difficult to call an Uber/Lyft at the airport because the driver has to find you in the crowd. We recommend the taxi stands for this reason.
I’m attending a High School session, how does chaperone supervision work?
From the moment a high school student walks into Open Jar Studios on Sunday for registration, they are under our 24/7 supervision and care. Our chaperones are highly experienced educators with many years of experience working at our program. The safety and well being of all students is our #1 priority. A student will never leave the hotel or studio without their chaperone, who will stay nearby in the hotel. The chaperone will be the last person they see at night, and the first in the morning. Any student who violates our safety policies will be immediately sent home at their own cost without the opportunity for a refund.
My family is going to travel with me for the program. What options do you have for us?
We’re excited to have you all with us! If you want to stay with us at the hotel, we offer a Family Room ($2,495) which is a private room with two, double beds that family members can stay in (with the student if they would like to). You are also welcome to book your own private hotel reservation at any midtown hotel nearby (Open Jar Studios is located at 1601 Broadway). We offer Broadway ticket Show Packs ($345) for family members who would like to attend the three shows with us. A Show Pack is one ticket to each show for them. Student tickets are included in tuition.
What Broadway shows are we going to see?
We will announce the shows in Spring 2025. Each year we do our best to see shows that are new to Broadway this season. We love shows like Wicked, but want to give students the opportunity to see the best new shows each year. Stay tuned!
What events can family members attending during the week?
We welcome all family members to join us during Sunday registration for the program, and for the 7pm Meet & Greet that evening where we kick things off and introduce the full Open Jar Staff. For the high school sessions, there is also a Family Orientation on Sunday at 5pm to talk through the chaperone services we still offer even though students are staying with you.
On Friday morning, family members are invited to observe the Mock Vocal Audition (see What to Expect packet), and the Showcase that evening from 7-9pm at Open Jar Studios.
If I am staying at the hotel, how long do I have the room?
All rooms booked through Open Jar (Student Housing, Family Room) will be available from approximately 4pm on Sunday to 10am the following Saturday for check-out.
How does travel and planning work for the final day of the intensive on Saturday?
The last official event of the intensive is the Showcase on Friday night from 7-9pm at Open Jar Studios. On Saturday, students and families staying at the hotel will have a 10am checkout. All parent pick-ups should be arranged by 10am. Students who are leaving for the airport can book their flight any time that morning / early afternoon and their chaperone will see them off in a taxi, even if it is a 4am departure.
What do I need to prepare and bring for the intensive?
Please read the What to Expect packet above which goes through the week in detail. In summary, you will need to make sure you bring…
10 copies of your headshot and resume stapled back to back on 8x10 paper
A minimum of 3 contrasting 32-bar vocal cuts clearly marked for an accompanist in a binder
Walking shoes and outfits for the week: dance clothes, vocal audition, Broadway shows, etc
You are welcome to bring any dance shoes you’d like, although all combos can be done in sneakers. There will be an optional tap class during the week. Participation does not require tap shoes but bring them if you want to.