Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe

WHO WE ARE

The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe was founded in Sarasota in December 1999 by actor and playwright Nate Jacobs as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Our mission has always been to produce professional theatre that promotes and celebrates the African American experience, attracts diverse audiences, supports and develops African American artists, and builds the self-esteem of African American youth.

Stage of Discovery, our five-week summer musical theatre intensive program for students ages 13-18, is free for participants, thanks to generous donors. WBTT Voices is a free ongoing series of community forums about issues impacting society, explored through an African American lens. Our Young Artist Program, which presents productions by up to three performers each season, showcases the talent of young, aspiring artists.

Most of our productions, which include original musicals, Black Broadway classics and thought-provoking dramas, are staged in the Gerri Aaron & the Aaron Family Foundation Theatre Building, which houses the mainstage Donelly Theatre and our black box space, the Howard J. Millman Theatre. The renovated building opened in January 2020. Our Education & Outreach Building, a 1926 building adjacent to the theatre which we renovated in 2018, hosts Stage of Discovery classes, additional performances and rehearsals, and gatherings on our rooftop terrace and in the interior rooms. We also present shows and special events at schools, stadiums and other venues around Sarasota and beyond, including acclaimed appearances at the National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and elsewhere in the U.S. and Europe.

Founder & Artistic Director Nate Jacobs and Executive Director Julie Leach invite you to visit us in downtown Sarasota and see why WBTT is the hottest ticket in town. From musicals that rock the house to dramas that illuminate the human experience, we put our heart & soul into every production.

INFORMATION

WBTT Website

Support WBTT