Free panel discussion  –  ‘Is Hollywood Changing? Diversity and Inclusion in the Entertainment Industry’ – takes place on June 7

SARASOTA, FL – The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is pleased to offer a summertime installment of its popular WBTT Voices program, with “Is Hollywood Changing? Diversity and Inclusion in the Entertainment Industry.” The panel discussion, which features artists from the theatre, television, film, and music industry, takes place on Thursday, June 7, 5:30-6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public but reservations are required. 

Ferguson to bring decades of communications experience to growing arts organization

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) has recently named Scott Ferguson as its marketing and communications director. In this role, Ferguson will oversee all facets of the organization's marketing and public relations efforts in order to support ticket sales, assist in donor cultivation and satisfaction, and maintain positive relations with the media.

Original ‘hip-hopera’ written and directed by, and starring, WBTT artist Joel P. E. King

SARASOTA, FL – This summer, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is pleased to present the touring production of Real Life, which is written and directed by – and, for the first time, will star in the lead role – occasional WBTT artist Joel P.E. King. The majority of the cast and the live band for the production are traveling to Sarasota from East St. Louis, Ill.; several WBTT artists will perform in the show.

Nate Jacobs-adapted musical revue features some of WBTT’s most popular artists

SARASOTA, FL – In the 1960s, America was an uneasy place: the battle for civil rights was ongoing, international tensions were at an all-time high, and the country lost President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to assassins’ bullets. The popular music of the time incorporated emotions and concepts tied to the decade’s social upheaval while offering a hopeful look at better, more peaceful days to come.

Collaboration of Sarasota County Bar Association Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Westcoast Black Theatre, and Booker High School to explore role of law in social change

SARASOTA, FL - The Sarasota County Bar Association Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, and Booker High School are bringing back the powerful "We Are Sarasota" program on Monday, April 30, 2018, at 7 p.m. at the Sarasota Opera House (61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota). "We Are Sarasota" is the soul-stirring story of Sarasota’s journey from the segregated 1950s to the rich, multicultural community that it is today. 

Popular WBTT artist Leon Pitts to present songs by soul and R&B legends in ‘Show Man of Heart & Soul’

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is pleased to continue the fifth year of its annual Young Artist Program, through which Troupe members are able to showcase their talents with one-night, one-person shows. The second Young Artist Program showcase of the season, “Show Man of Heart & Soul,” features popular WBTT artist Leon S. Pitts II and takes place Sunday, March 11 at 8:00 p.m. Pitts will bring his passion to the stage, singing songs that have touched the hearts and souls of generations by such artists as Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Al Green and Luther Vandross. 

Show, starring Melba Moore, imagines one of the final performances of the legendary Billie Holiday

SARASOTA, FL – In Lanie Robertson’s Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will pay tribute to one of music’s greatest legends, Billie Holiday. The jazz and blues specialist had a voice that sounded like no other’s, summing up the very essence of lost love, heartache, and the atmosphere of a smoky cabaret where everyone in the audience is drinking to forget.