On Tuesday February 6th, the Open Jar Institute hosted open auditions at Loyola. The Open Jar Institute is an actor-training program based in New York City in which students train with Broadway actors, directors, choreographers, agents, and casting directors. It gets its name from the “Open Jar Philosophy,” or the idea that humans (and artists in particular) tend to accept the limits set for ourselves by others, even when the “jar” of possibility and opportunity is completely open. The goal of Open Jar is to show students that, when the lid is off, possibilities are endless!
This philosophy was the core of the Master Class led by Brian Martin. Martin is a Broadway veteran whose credits include Mrs.Doubtfire. Elf, Guys & Dolls, A Chorus Line, Chicago, Mary Poppins, Oklahoma, & more! He is currently in the Broadway Smash Hit "Some Like it Hot". Brian originally caught the “theatre bug” performing locally in his hometown of Grand Rapids, MI and went on to receive a BFA in Music Theatre Performance from Western Michigan University. He also studied abroad at RADA in London obtaining a certificate in Shakespeare performance. Brian is enthusiastic about life and has a passion for connecting with developing artists! He has taught for the Open Jar Institute, Broadway Connection, and also worked with numerous college and high school programs.
The audition part of the workshop was lead in the style of a master class, Brian teaching the class a short dance combination and having the students sing their audition songs for feedback. Every so often he would stop the auditionees and help them work through their nervous ticks and unconscious habits to help them really let their confidence shine through. By the end of the class, the auditionees were left feeling more confident in their abilities, aided by the philosophy of the Open Jar Institute.
