Rising Beyond Limits with Open Jar Thinking | Jeff Whiting | TEDxQueensU

Recently acclaimed as a 'director with a joyous touch' by the New York Times, Jeff Whiting is a director and choreographer for theater, opera, television, special events and concerts around the world. Broadway Credits include: Bullets Over Broadway, Big Fish, The Scottsboro Boys, Hair, Young Frankenstein, and Wicked. Jeff is the owner and Artistic Director of The Open Jar Institute, a music theatre training program founded in 2003 for the development of music theatre artists of all ages. Stage Write Software, designed and developed by Jeff, marks the worlds first digital method for documenting staging and choreography and is already in use for over 40 Broadway shows and tours, including Newsies, Book of Mormon, Matilda, The Producers, amongst other esteemed productions.

Recently acclaimed as a 'director with a joyous touch' by the New York Times, Jeff Whiting is a director and choreographer for theater, opera, television, special events and concerts around the world. Broadway Credits include: Bullets Over Broadway, Big Fish, The Scottsboro Boys, Hair, Young Frankenstein, and Wicked. Jeff is the owner and Artistic Director of The Open Jar Institute, a music theatre training program founded in 2003 for the development of music theatre artists of all ages. Stage Write Software, designed and developed by Jeff, marks the worlds first digital method for documenting staging and choreography and is already in use for over 40 Broadway shows and tours, including Newsies, Book of Mormon, Matilda, The Producers, amongst other esteemed productions.

[sincerelyjayyyyyy]

i just went to open jar 2023, and this is so inspiring. it changed my entire life, thank u for allowing me to jump out of my jar :)

[chriswoolf]

I met Jeff Whiting 4 years ago when my daughter participated in the Open Jar Institute and he truly IS inspiring. I am so glad that so many people have the opportunity to hear these words of wisdom. Mostly, I am glad that, once again, I get to hear these words. Thank you, Jeff. Continue changing the world!

[luckystarpiano]

What a beautiful soul - thank you for sharing your story ❤🙏🏻

[alexmueller]

I recently attended Open Jar Institute earlier this summer and it changed me for the better!

[KelliHawkBartlett]

Hi Jeff! Not sure if you'll see this. I was tremendously impressed when I met you last summer but this brought me to tears. My daughter, Sadie Raynor, attended your Summer Intensive 2021. You and OJ have completed changed her life. She desparately wanted to live a life in the musical theatre world but she didn't have the faith in herself... until OJ! With the guidance of all the amazing people at OJ, she finally started to see what we've all seen for a long time. It was her high school music teacher who really kept her down. He consistently chose his favorites over and over and never nurtured her talents. It was crushing to be overlooked again and again. Naturally, she started to believe that she wasn't good enough. She started college in the fall as a nursing major but luckily she got involved with the theatre group on campus. She has since realized that she needs to follow her passion. She has applied to transfer to SUNY Cortland's MT program for the fall. She is anxiously waiting on her audition! And, of course, she is auditioning for the college level OJ summer intensive 2022! As a mom who sees Sadie's gifts, I thank you and everyone at OJ for taking the lid off the jar and helping her find the confidence to jump out!!

[sharimcgill]

Very inspiring, especially having children living their dreams in New York City....Dreams can come true with passion and a lot of hard work!

[jeannielubeanie]

I just got my acceptance for summer 2020, I'm literally crying

[allyd]

I've just recieved acceptance for summer 2017 and this talk is really amazing. I can't wait to meet him in person!!!