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Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is seeking actors for our upcoming 2025-2026 season!
We are looking for talented, professional and friendly people to work with!
Hello! We are so excited to present our upcoming 2025-2026 Season “Soul Of A People”. Below is a note from Nate Jacobs, our founder/artistic director on the season theme:
''Soul of a people" refers to the collective spirit, identity, and cultural essence of a group of people, encompassing their shared history, values, traditions, beliefs, and aspirations, essentially representing the deepest and most meaningful aspects that bind them together as a community; it's often associated with a strong sense of pride and connection to their heritage."
We thank you for taking the time to come out and audition! Below are details on how to submit video auditions as well as details on our General Season Auditions!
VIDEO SUBMISSIONS
For Video Submissions please send them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please also be sure to attach your updated headshot and resume with your submission.
Either two contrasting monologues (not to exceed 4 minutes total please) OR 32 bars of music and one monologue (not to exceed 2 minutes please). YouTube or Vimeo are acceptable to submit your video.
Please do slate your name and where you’re based. Please be sure to have your video properly framed and well-lit so we can see your face, as well as making sure we can hear you - especially if you’re auditioning with a song!
*Please note we do not provide feedback on auditions
Deadline for Video Submissions is Monday, April 28, 2025
SCHEDULING IN PERSON AUDITIONS
For scheduling auditions please send an email to our Casting Coordinator, Donovan Whitney at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
DATES & TIMES FOR 2024-2025 SEASON AUDITIONS
Friday, April 25th 2025 1pm - 7pm
- IN-PERSON AUDITIONS 1pm – 5pm
- MANDATORY DANCE CALL AT 5:15PM
- CALLBACKS at 6:15pm
Saturday, April 26th 2025 1pm – 7pm
- IN-PERSON AUDITIONS 1pm – 5pm
- MANDATORY DANCE CALL AT 5:15PM
- CALLBACKS at 6:15pm
WALK-INS ACCEPTED
We will be accepting walk-ins. We will have sign-up sheets for both Equity and Non-Equity actors.
LOCATION OF AUDITION
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
1012 N Orange Ave, Sarasota FL 34236
In-person auditions will be taking place in our rehearsal studios located in our Administrative Building! It is the smaller building with a ramp leading up to it. Please enter through the double doors and check in at the front desk. Once checked in please wait for your scheduled audition time. We advise actors to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled audition just in case we are running ahead of schedule.
PARKING
We have a gravel parking lot right across the street from our mainstage space. Please use this parking as we will be having our patrons use our main parking lot those days for our shows – we have our mainstage production going on this audition weekend.
IF CALLED BACK
We understand actors may be coming from out of town, so we plan to hold callbacks on both days of auditions, beginning at 6:15PM. If leaving and coming back for your callback is not feasible for you – please let us know and we can work around this.
These callbacks will take place where auditions were – in our rehearsal studios. Please wear clothes and shoes you would be comfortable to dance in!
If called back you do not need to bring another copy of your headshot and resume, we have that from earlier.
SEE PRODUCTION DATES IN BREAKDOWN
An Equity Monitor will not be provided. The producer will run all aspects of this audition.
Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.
Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions.
Housing: We provide housing with a private bedroom and shared common areas. FREE laundry onsite.
Flight: We will provide roundtrip airfare (coach class). We will reimburse you up to 2 checked bags.
Local transportation: We try to place actors in walking distance of our theatre. If we placed further away we will provide transportation to the theatre. We also have shared company vehicles if you have personal auto liability insurance and pass a background check.
PREPARATION
In-Person Auditions:
All auditioners should prepare two contrasting monologues (not to exceed 4 minutes total please). If auditioning for a musical then prepare 1 monologue (no longer than 2 minutes please) and 32 bars of music (in the correct key). Please bring sheet music - a pianist will be available. Please provide five copies of your headshot and resume stapled back to back.
Video Auditions:
All auditioners should prepare two contrasting monologues (not to exceed 4 minutes total please). If auditioning for a musical then prepare 1 monologue (no longer than 2 minutes please) and 32 bars of music (in the correct key). Please be sure to send us your headshot and resume.
SEEKING
Equity actors of all ethnicities and gender identifications for roles in Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s 2025-2026 Season (see breakdown).
Equity encourages everyone participating in the auditions to wear a two-ply cloth face mask, surgical mask, singer’s mask or respirator (N95, KN95 or KF94). Single-ply face masks, gaiters and bandanas are not recommended.
Equity encourages members to prepare for their audition prior to arriving at the audition venue, to the extent that they can (e.g., get dressed, hair/make-up, etc.) to avoid crowding in bathrooms and dressing rooms.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
Purlie
Director: Nate Jacobs
Rehearsals: Tuesday, Sep 9, 2025
Production Run: Wednesday October 8, 2025 – Sunday, November 9, 2025 (32 performances)
Show Description:
"Purlie" tells the story of Purlie, a self-taught preacher who returns to his home in the South with the intent of opening an abandoned church and ringing the bell of freedom. The problem is that Ol' Cap'n is holding Purlie's inheritance due to a long-lost cousin. With the help of Ol' Cap'n's son, Charlie, Purlie manages to outsmart the white haired old-timer to win a victory for freedom.
Character Breakdown:
Purlie Victorious Judson – Lead. Black man. 20s to 30s. Strong singer and strong actor. Fast talking preacher.
Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins – Lead. Black woman. 20s. Strong singer and strong actor.
Charley Cotchipee – Supporting. White man. 20s to 30s. Strong mover.
Ol’ Cap’n Cotchipee – Supporting. White man. 60s to 70s. Crotchety southerner.
Gitlow Judson – Supporting. Black man. 30s to 40s. older brother to Purlie. Strong singer.
Missy Judson – Supporting. Black woman. 30s to 40s.
Idella Landy – Featured singer. Black woman. Any age.
3 male ensemble – Black. Any age. Strong singers and strong dancers.
3 female ensemble – Black. Any age. Strong singers and strong dancers.
1 gospel singer - Black. Any age, any gender. Extremely strong singer.
Black Nativity
Director: Nate Jacobs
Rehearsals: Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025
Production Run: Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 to Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 (34 performances)
Show Description/Note from Director:
All of us at WBTT are delighted to bring back the holiday favorite, Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity. I like to call it our Christmas card to the community. This year I’ve invited Donald Frison, our talented Resident Choreographer, to be the assistant director, in addition to choreographing the show. Because dance plays an integral part in how the story of Black Nativity is told, Donald’s artistic vision is a wonderful contribution to the production. I’m thrilled with the amazing job he has done, and I know our audiences will be too. This year’s version of Black Nativity features new faces and new voices, including a few of our youth artists from our education program Stage of Discovery. This is the second year we are presenting Black Nativity in our new theatre which makes me very excited. My Christmas wish for you is that Black Nativity will inspire hope, joy, and peace this holiday season and throughout the year!
Character Breakdown:
Narrator – Black man or woman. Any age. Strong actor that can also sing. Storyteller.
Angel – Black woman. Extremely strong singer. Any age.
Mary – Black woman. Mother of Jesus, wife to Joseph. 20s. Extremely strong singer.
Joseph – Black man. Husband to Mary. 20s – 30s. Extremely strong singer.
Ensemble Men (6) – Any race. Strong singers and dancers. Any age
Ensemble Women (6) – Any race. Strong singers and dancers. Any age
Paradise Blue
Director: Chuck Smith
Rehearsals: Tuesday, Dec. 9th, 2025
Production Run: Wednesday, January 7th 2025 – Sunday, February 8th 2026 (39 performances)
Show Description:
“In a strip of Detroit known as Paradise Valley, a man named Blue struggles to keep his father’s business, Paradise Club, afloat during a push towards gentrification. The city wants to kick African-Americans in the community of Black Bottom out by buying up properties up and down the strip. Blue, who is haunted by the memory of his father, teeters on the edge of madness as he decides whether selling the club is selling his soul. Along with the city, another man in Blue’s band, P-Sam, and a mysterious sexy stranger named Silver, begin to fight for ownership over the club, sending Blue and his woman Pumpkin into more confusion. Can Blue’s friend and confidante, Corn, keep Blue from falling into insanity, or will he be caught in Silver’s web? Can Pumpkin stand up for herself and tell Blue what she really feels, or will she concede to his demands? The people who occupy Paradise Club begin to turn on each other and change as the city of Detroit changes around them. Dominique Morisseau illuminates the effects of gentrification and the erasure of Black History on the African-American community with the first play in The Detroit Project, leaving us hungry for more. She continues her exploration with her next plays Detroit ‘67 and Skeleton Crew.”
Please note, this show may involve some sexual intimacy for all characters.
Character Breakdown:
Blue – Black man, mid to late thirties or early forties. Proprietor of Paradise Club. Handsome, mysterious, sexy. Quietly dangerous. Aloof. A hard shell and a hard interior. Battling many demons. A gifted trumpeter
Pumpkin – Black woman, mid to late twenties to early thirties. Pretty in a plain way. Simple, sweet. Waitress, cook, and caretaker of Paradise Club. A loving thing with a soft touch. Adores poetry.
P-Sam (AKA Percussion Sam)– Black man, twenties to thirties. Busybody, sweet talker, hustler. Always eager for his next gig. Percussionist.
Corn (AKA Cornelius) – Black man, late forties to early fifties. Slightly chubby. Easygoing and thoughtful, a real sweetheart with a weakness for love. The piano man.
Silver – Black woman, late thirties to early forties. Mysterious, sexy, charming. Spicy. Gritty and raw in a way that men find irresistible. Has a meeeeaaaannnnn walk.
How I Got Over
Director: Nate Jacobs
Rehearsals: Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026
Production Run: Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 to Sunday, March 29, 2026 (39 performances)
Show Description:
Featured as a new hit musical at the National Black Theater Festival “HOW I GOT OVER” returns to WBTT’s new theater as a part of their 26th season. This high-spirited show raises the rafters and celebrates the music of great singers like Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Mighty Clouds of Joy, The Staple Singers, James Cleveland, and other gospel greats! “HOW I GOT OVER” is another original favorite created by Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs. It features traditional songs like “Travelin’ Shoes,” “Amazing Grace” and “His Eye Is On The Sparrow” combined with more upbeat, spirited, popular tunes such as “Elijah Rock,” “Oh Happy Day,” and “When The Saints Go Marching In” to bring you a show that’s sung from WBTT’s heart. Experience the joy and hope of gospel music in this high-energy, electrifying show. You haven’t seen gospel like this before!
Character Breakdown:
Narrator/Ensemble - Any race. Any age. Strong actor that can also sing. Storyteller.
Preacher/Ensemble - Any race. 20’s to 30’s. Preacher. Harmonics and preacher tones. Strong singing. Show celebrates gospel and jazz.
Ensemble (4) - Any race. Any age. Strong actors and strong singers. Show celebrates gospel and jazz.
Male Dance Ensemble (3) - Any race. Any age. Strong dancers and strong singers. Show celebrates gospel and jazz.
Female Dance Ensemble (3) - Any race. Any age. Strong dancers and strong singers. Show celebrates gospel and jazz.
Lies, Spells & Old Wives Tales
Director: Nate Jacobs
Rehearsals: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Production Run: Wednesday, April 8th, 2026, to Sunday, May 17th, 2026 (40 performances)
Show Description:
This new musical comedy, adapted and created by artistic director Nate Jacobs and his writing partner, Michael Jacobs, celebrates the spirit, identity, and cultural essence of a people. The show spotlights and celebrates the sayings, beliefs, values, fables, stories, and traditions that are passed down from generation to generation and become the fiber and foundation that establishes the conventions and traditions of a people. The show features original, unique, fun, and clever music. It guarantees to be an experience filled with reminiscent and festive joy.
Character Breakdown:
Ensemble - Any race. Any age. Any gender. Strong singers and able to move well. Strong actors with good comedic timing.
