What Open Jar Studios does

Open Jar Studios is a privately-held New York City operator of the largest rehearsal studio complex in the city's Theatre District, founded in 2019 by Jeff Whiting. The company operates 50,000 square feet of column-free studio space across two full floors at 1601 Broadway (11th Floor), overlooking Times Square, comprising 22 studios of varying sizes including two 4,015-square-foot XL studios with 22-foot ceilings, sprung dance floors, sound-attenuated music and acting rooms, and a 5'x7' isolation vocal recording booth. Technical differentiation is built around acoustic engineering — NRC 1.00 floating acoustic panels installed more than 2 inches from walls, double sound attenuation between adjacent studios, and NRC 0.70 polyester acoustical ceiling coverings — rather than digital or AI-based systems. The facility is fully ADA compliant and registered as a New York State Qualified Production Facility (Level 1) as of June 2025.

The company's revenue model is hybrid and transactional in nature. Primary revenue comes from hourly studio rentals starting at $19.50/hour across Small, Medium, Large, and XL tiers, supplemented by subscription memberships (INDIVIDUAL tiers ICON/ENSEMBLE/STAR and a Private Studio tier, starting at $30/month) launched in April 2023. A second major line is the in-house theatrical printing service Bway Printing, acquired in August 2022, which processes approximately 80,000–100,000 program inserts, six script/score orders, and 2,000 headshots daily. Additional streams include corporate and private event rentals, master classes and the annual Theatre Education Conference, self-tape studio sessions ($22/half-hour), merchandise (apparel, branded accessories, and the patented Singer's Mask and Instrumentalist's Mask), and post-show event packages. The company serves five primary customer segments: Broadway and Off-Broadway productions (Hamilton, Moulin Rouge!, The Lion King, Hadestown, SIX, Funny Girl, The Lost Boys, The Outsiders), opera companies (Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Santa Fe Opera), film/TV/photography productions, corporate event clients, and individual performing artists.

Open Jar also runs a network of community initiatives — the Broadway Inclusion Project (up to 500 free studio hours annually), the Dance/NYC Rehearsal Space Subsidy ($10/hour), the Stage Door Network space subsidy ($5–$10/hour), and the COVID-era Broadway Relief Project — plus flagship partnerships with the Educational Theatre Association, Vital Voice Training, Hyatt Regency Times Square, and The Creative Artist Database. The company markets primarily through its website, earned media coverage in Playbill/Broadway World/Broadway News, event programming (Broadway Shark Tank, Theatre Education Conference, Artist in the Open Jar series), and social media. Distribution is via direct booking (website rental form, phone, walk-in) and a hotel co-marketing channel with the on-site Hyatt Regency. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; no funding rounds or external venture investors are recorded, with Jeff Whiting retaining ownership and the role of President.

Name

Open Jar Studios

Legal name

Open Jar Studios

Website

https://openjarstudios.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Open Jar Studios operates NYC's largest rehearsal studio complex, running 50,000 square feet and 22 column-free studios across two floors overlooking Times Square. The company serves Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, opera companies, film/TV productions, corporate event clients, and individual performing artists with hourly studio rentals, memberships, printing services, and event programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rehearsal Studios

NAICS

Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512), Sound Recording Industries (5122), Sound Recording Studios (51224)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Rehearsal & Pre-Production Studios (Rehearsal Rooms, Backline) (MPAIAHAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Recording Studios (Commercial, Project, Mobile) (MPAIAHAA), Production Management & Studio Support Services (Studio Managers, Techs) (MPAIAHAO)

Keywords

• Rehearsal studio rental
• Performance space rental
• Theatrical printing services
• Event venue hosting
• Master class training

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Studio Space Rentals: Hourly rental of 22 column-free rehearsal studios of varying sizes for dance, music, acting, and vocal rehearsals. Studios are rented individually at rates starting at $19.50/hour. Additional revenue from equipment rentals including lighting, audio, media carts, and furniture.
2. Membership Subscriptions: Monthly subscription program offering free studio time each month plus discounted rates on additional bookings. Plans start at $30/month for individual memberships with tiered benefits. Private studio memberships available for dedicated space.
3. Bway Printing Services: In-house theatrical printing service acquired in August 2022, printing scripts, scores, program inserts, headshots, and resumes for Broadway productions. Processes approximately 80,000-100,000 inserts, six orders of scripts/scores, and about 2,000 headshots daily.
4. Merchandise Sales: Direct sales of branded merchandise including apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, tanks), accessories (tote bags, shopping bags, water bottles, umbrellas, ball caps), and specialty items (Singer's Mask, Instrumentalist's Mask, Audition Essentials Kit).
5. Event Space Rental: Rental of studio spaces for corporate events, networking events, cocktail receptions, launch events, photo shoots, fashion shows, and private parties. Three named venues: Center Stage (4,015/sf), The Premiere (3,300/sf), and Broadway Lounge (2,520/sf).
6. Master Classes and Workshops: Revenue from professional development workshops including audition coaching with casting directors, dance classes, stage combat training, and specialty courses. Events like Theatre Education Conference generate registration fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Open Jar Studios rents 22 column-free rehearsal studios (50,000 sq ft across two floors overlooking Times Square) for dance, music, acting, and vocal rehearsals, with hourly rates starting at $19.50. The studio also offers event space rentals for corporate functions, a vocal recording booth, a self-tape studio, and theatrical printing services through its Bway Printing subsidiary. Memberships and master classes round out the offering for individual artists and companies.

Product overview

Open Jar Studios is NYC's largest rehearsal studio complex (50,000 sq ft, 22 studios) serving the Broadway and entertainment industry. The core offering consists of column-free rehearsal studios for dance, music, acting, and vocal work, supplemented by a state-of-the-art Recording Booth for demo reels and vocal sessions, and a Self Tape Studio for auditions. The portfolio also includes performance/event space for corporate events and live performances, along with Bway Printing (acquired 2022) for theatrical script and score printing services. Educational offerings encompass Master Classes and the annual Theatre Education Conference. The company operates community initiatives including the Broadway Inclusion Project, Broadway Relief Project, and Dance/NYC Subsidy Program. A Membership Program provides free studio time and discounts starting at $30/month. The Open Jar Shop sells branded merchandise including apparel and accessories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bway Printing: Boutique theatrical printing service acquired in 2022, specializing in printing and hand-delivering scripts, scores, and program inserts for Broadway rehearsals. Now also includes Bway Headshots service for printing headshots and resumes.

Products and services

• Rehearsal Studios 22 column-free rehearsal studios totaling 50,000 sq ft across two floors overlooking Times Square on Broadway and 48th Street. Includes 22-foot ceiling studios (A & B), sprung dance floors, acoustically treated rooms, pianos, free daily lockers, off-street loading dock, freight elevator, kitchen/lounge, and high-speed WiFi. Rentals start at $19.50/hour for Broadway and theatre productions, opera companies, film/TV shoots, and individual artists.
• Recording Booth 5'x7' isolation vocal recording booth equipped with high-quality audio gear and views of Times Square. Provides industry-standard vocal recording for demo reels, vocal sessions, and professional recordings.
• Self-Tape Studio Studio 12K equipped with adjustable softbox lights, LED stick lights, tripod with phone clip holder, choice of backdrops (black, blue/green, gray), Bluetooth speaker, and upright piano. Priced at $22/half-hour for audition self-tapes.
• Corporate Events Space Flexible event space spanning 50,000 sq ft across 22 spaces featuring Times Square views, 22-foot ceilings, ceiling pipe grid with power, mezzanine overlook, natural light, and reception lounge/kitchen. Available for TV/film locations, corporate events, networking events, cocktail receptions, launch events, photo studios, fashion shows, and private parties.
• Performance Space Performance venue space for Broadway shows, concerts, and live performances. The Center Stage (4,015 sq ft) features a 22-foot ceiling white-box space with a mezzanine level overlooking the Theatre District.
• Bway Printing In-house theatrical printing service acquired in August 2022. Specializes in printing and hand-delivering scripts, scores, and program inserts for Broadway rehearsals, and prints headshots and resumes for actors. Processes approximately 80,000-100,000 inserts, six orders of scripts and scores, and about 2,000 headshots daily.
• Master Classes Professional training programs including voice coaching, acting training, dance training, audition coaching, and summer intensive courses taught by Broadway professionals and industry experts.
• Stage Combat Seminars Three-hour stage combat classes taught by Sordelet Inc. fight directors, available at a flash price of $45/class (regular $100).
• Post-Show Events After-show event packages featuring a private lounge overlooking Times Square with a meet-and-greet with Broadway cast members from the show just attended, pizza party with soda bar, and live cabaret with pianist.
• Membership Program Monthly subscription program for frequent users, offering free studio space each month plus discounted rates on additional bookings. Plans start at $30/month with tiered options (Ensemble, Star, ICON, Private Studio) providing varying free hours and up to 35% off studio rentals.
• Open Jar Shop Direct-to-consumer branded merchandise including apparel (t-shirts $20-$25, hoodies $40-$48, sweatshirts $65, tanks $20), accessories (tote bags $10, water bottles $12, umbrellas $20, ball caps $25), and specialty items including The Singer's Mask ($15.50) and Audition Essentials Kit ($4.50).

Quantifiable outcome

• Open Jar Studios confirmed as the most economical choice for NYC rehearsal space in 2025 price comparison, particularly for XL studios which are 60%+ larger than competitors at lower per-square-foot cost
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Stage Door NetworkcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Co-sponsored The Contender Vocal Recording Booth Competition, connecting performers with verified professionals and resources. Platform fosters vibrant community of performers, directors, casting agents, and more.
• The Creative Artist DatabasecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Collaboration for 'The Artist in the Open Jar' series - creative conversations filmed at Open Jar Studios with legendary Broadway artists including John Kander, Susan Stroman, and David Thompson, connecting current and next-generation theatre makers.
• Dance/NYCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Dance/NYC's New York City Dance Rehearsal Space Subsidy Program partner, made possible by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Open Jar Studios offers subsidized rental rates of $10/hr to eligible dance artists and companies.
• Broadway Dance CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership for special events including the 20th Anniversary of Center Stage cast reunion and master class led by choreographer Susan Stroman.
• Broadway Relief ProjectflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Coalition of Broadway designers and stitchers that normally build costumes for Broadway hit musicals. During COVID-19, they transformed Open Jar Studios into a PPE factory, building over 51,000 gowns and 2 million medical gowns for NYC public hospitals in 59 days. The project also developed The Singer's Mask, now used by 100,000+ music makers worldwide.
• Hyatt Regency Times SquarecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHotel partnership provides Open Jar Studios guests with 15% discount on room rates plus waived amenity fees ($40.16/day savings). Hyatt Regency is located directly above Open Jar Studios with private elevator access to the 11th floor check-in, making it ideal for out-of-town productions and visiting artists.
• Educational Theatre AssociationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Theatre Education Conference bringing together Broadway professionals and theatre educators for hands-on sessions, networking, and Broadway show attendance. Three-day event in NYC featuring master teachers and industry experts.
• Stage Door (Space Subsidy Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpace Subsidy Program provides affordable rehearsal space to writers, directors, choreographers, and creative artists at subsidized rates of $5-10/hour through grant funding to rehearsal spaces.
• Vital Voice TrainingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpeaking and communication coaching experts conducting business training programs at Open Jar Studios, offering public speaking, TED talk preparation, and communication skills coaching.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Kaufman Astoria Studios: Kaufman Astoria Studios is a historic NYC film/TV production complex in Queens with multiple soundstages. Comparable to Open Jar for film/TV production clients and tax-credit eligible NYS Qualified Production Facility status.
• Silvercup Studios: Silvercup Studios is a major NYC film/TV production facility in Long Island City with multiple soundstages, comparable broad-incumbent alternative to Open Jar for film/TV production clients seeking tax-credit-eligible NYS Qualified Production Facilities.
• Steiner Studios: Steiner Studios is the largest film and television production facility in NYC, located at the Brooklyn Navy Yard with multiple soundstages and support facilities. Broader/incumbent player offering production space with tax-incentive eligibility, comparable for film/TV customers also using Open Jar.

Direct peers

• New 42nd Street Studios (The Studios at 42nd Street): Operates large rehearsal studio spaces in the Times Square theatre district, with subsidized rates for dance and theatre companies. Directly comparable to Open Jar for serving Broadway and dance rehearsals and competing for the same Midtown customer base.
• Pearl Studios NYC: Pearl Studios is one of NYC's largest rehearsal studio complexes located in Midtown Manhattan, offering multiple column-free studios for Broadway, dance, and corporate clients. Directly comparable to Open Jar in core service offering (hourly rehearsal studio rental) and target market (Broadway productions, opera, dance companies, film/TV).
• 890 Studios: 890 Studios is a rehearsal studio facility in NYC serving Broadway and theatrical productions with multiple large column-free spaces. Direct competitor for theatrical rehearsal bookings in the Manhattan market.
• Chelsea Studios: Chelsea Studios operates a multi-floor rehearsal complex in Manhattan with column-free studios of various sizes serving Broadway productions and corporate clients. Directly competes with Open Jar in the NYC rehearsal studio market for theatrical and event bookings.

Others

• Symphony Space: Symphony Space is a NYC performing arts center offering rehearsal, performance, and event space. Comparable as an adjacent performing-arts facility in NYC offering rehearsal and event space to arts professionals.
• Broadway Dance Center: Broadway Dance Center is a NYC dance studio and education complex that has partnered with Open Jar Studios on events. Comparable as an adjacent dance/performing-arts facility serving similar individual and small-company clients in the NYC theatre district.
• Joyce Theater: Joyce Theater is a NYC presenting venue and dance-focused performance space serving dance companies and performers. Related as a dance-industry peer operating performance and rehearsal infrastructure for similar dance/performing-arts clients.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/openjarstudiosnyc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/open-jar-studios

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Open Jar Studios