Press Releases

: October 19, 2017

Arts organization’s annual gala to highlight best music of Motown era, honor supporters Audrey Coleman and Eva Slane

SARASOTA, FL - Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will celebrate its 18th anniversary and present its major annual gala, this year titled “Motown Mania,” on Friday, November 17, 6-10pm at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium (801 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota). Attendees will be treated to the best music of the Motown era and fete two special supporters during the festive and exciting program.

: October 10, 2017

‘Hidden Voices: The Immigrant Experience in Southwest Florida’ takes place October 23

SARASOTA, FL – The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is pleased to kick off the 2017-2018 WBTT Voices program with its first event of the season. On Monday, October 23 at 6:30 p.m., WBTT presents “Hidden Voices: The Immigrant Experience in Southwest Florida,” a timely, informative, and emotional panel discussion about the immigrant experience in this area and the immigration issues we’re facing as a nation today.

: October 5, 2017

Popular WBTT artist Tarra Conner jones to kick off 2017-2018 series with ‘Here is Love’

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is pleased to present 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 first Young Artist performance of the season, “Here is Love,” features popular WBTT artist Tarra Conner jones and takes place Sunday, October 15 and Monday, October 16 at 8:00 p.m. The original cabaret show shares Conner jones’ journey of love, heartache, laughter and survival through stories, jazz songs, and show tunes.

: June 30, 2017

Improvements funded through 'Heart & Soul' campaign to begin with Binz building

SARASOTA, FL – The morning of Monday, July 10, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking – called “Raise the Roof” – marking the beginning of the first phase of construction to the Binz building on the front of its campus. The Binz – which is currently unoccupied - will become the headquarters for WBTT's administrative offices and education and outreach programs. These improvements have been made possible because of funds raised through WBTT’s Heart & Soul capital campaign.

: June 9, 2017

Staged readings to take place internationally as part of Project1VOICE effort on June 19

SARASOTA, FL – On June 19, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) will take part in Project1VOICE/1PLAY/1DAY, an international effort presented in association with 45 theater companies and other diverse institutions to celebrate African American theatre. This year, Project1VOICE has selected Dael Orlandersmith’s Yellowman, a 2002 Pulitzer Prize finalist for drama, for staged readings.

: June 6, 2017

World-premiere musical revue to feature decades of Broadway’s greatest hits

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe presents its 2017 summer show, Broadway in Black, from June 21 – July 23, 2017. During this world-premiere musical revue created and adapted by WBTT founder and artistic director Nate Jacobs, the Troupe will salute Broadway musicals with songs that span decades and a wide variety of musical styles but should appeal to audiences of all ages.

: June 5, 2017

Grant of $250,000 will help to turn 'Binz Building' into headquarters for education and outreach efforts

SARASOTA, FL – The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation has recently approved a grant of $250,000 to the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) in support of its "Heart & Soul" capital campaign. The fundraising effort, which has a goal of $6 million, will transform the organization's 2.5-acre, two-building campus at 10th Street and Orange Avenue into a cohesive, state-of-the-art performing arts center, enable the organization to more fully develop its education program, and create an endowment fund for the future of the troupe.