For the fourth time in eight years, ESU theatre students have been selected for the prestigious Open Jar Institute. Only 60 theatre students are selected from across the nation for participation in the program.
In a first, two undergrad students were selected for the Summer 2020 program. Our newest honorees are senior Zulema Renteria (Emporia) Jasmine Hall (Independence). Both were featured in the 2019 homecoming musical, “Little Women.” Zulema performed the role of Marmee and Jasmine was Jo March. Both will be a part of the spring production of Medea, as well. Jasmine is the production stage manager while Zulema is a member of the acting company.
Open Jar selects 60 undergraduate theatre students from across the nation each year. Those students are flown to NYC where they spend a week studying with directors, voice coaches, choreographers, agents and Broadway actors to polish their craft and provide much-needed contacts in the industry. Their week in the city ends with a showcase where they can be seen by casting directors.
In past years, Marah Melvin (Iola), Nathan Dale Short (Paola) and Hewleek McKoy (Olathe) attended the Institute representing ESU. Marah is currently living in NYC. She is a member of a touring company called “Pinups on Tour.” Nathan is currently working in Topeka and recently performed at the Topeka Performing Arts Center after performing stints in Minnesota and Kansas City. Hewleek lives and works in Kansas City and has performed at many venues including Worlds of Fun and Theatre in the Park.
Each student has to fund their participation in the intensive week-long program. Open Jar is highly competitive and since it is in NYC, the program is also costly. While in New York the students stay at a midtown hotel, attend four Broadway productions together and because they are at work in the studio throughout the day, meals are catered in. The total cost per student is just over $3,000.
When asked about their acceptance into the program, both spoke of the amazing opportunity.
Jasmine said, “It felt a little bit surreal to be one of 60 people across the nation chosen to have this opportunity.”
Zulema said she cried and felt like Charlie Bucket when he got Willie Wonka’s golden ticket. Both admitted that it is exciting, but both realize how much they need “to crack down and prepare” to take full advantage of the opportunity.
Zulema and Jasmine auditioned at the KCACTF Region V theatre festival in South Dakota last January. Zulema also auditioned the previous year when her classmate Hewleek McKoy was selected. When she not selected, she was determined to work even harder at her second audition. She credits her voice teacher, Penelope Speedie, with preparing her for her audition.
Both studied with ESU dance instructor Lindy Bartruff for the dance portion of the audition.
Jasmine remembers that It was “a bit daunting” to be in a tiny studio with 80 other auditionees “and knowing that this was the case in multiple other states as well.” Zulema agreed there was a lot of pressure and that she was “scared” being around so many “talented people.”
Hewleek helped to prepare them both for the audition adding that Open Jar is truly “a great opportunity to make valuable and vital connections in the professional theatre. Both consider musical theatre to be a “passion.”
Neither has been to New York so being able to see Broadway shows, work with New York voice coaches, choreographers, directors and meeting with casting directors will not only be important as they build their careers. They also will spend time behind the scenes with actors in the productions they attend. But both are excited to grow as a performers and people.
Both students are raising funds to support their participation in the institute. If you would like to send a gift to support their participation in Open Jar, you can do so by visiting emporia.edu/give and selecting the Theatre Student Opportunity Fund, or by mailing a check with “Theatre Student Opportunity Fund” in the memo line to ESU Foundation, 1500 Highland St, Emporia KS 66801. Contact Jim Bartruff, Director of Theatre for more information. He can be reached by email at jbartruf@emporia.edu or by calling 620.341.5704.
Zulema and Jasmine, like all ESU Theatre students, really do appreciate all the support the community provides through their attendance at our productions and providing much needed scholarship support.