2015

: July 13, 2015

Guests will enjoy lite bites, open bar and exclusive performance before company leaves for National Black Theatre Festival

SARASOTA, FL – In advance of its August appearance at the National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will present an exclusive sneak peek of the show the company will perform at the Festival, Soul Crooners 2. The event – which is being held to help raise money to defray the expenses that will be incurred for the week-long Festival – takes place on Sunday, July 26, 5-7pm at the WBTT Theatre (1646 10th Way, Sarasota). Morton’s Gourmet Market is the sponsor.

: June 8, 2015

WBTT founder and artistic director to receive National Black Theatre Festival’s ‘Larry Leon Hamlin Producer Award’ during August event, at which the Troupe will also perform

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) founder and artistic director, Nate Jacobs, will receive the “Larry Leon Hamlin Producer Award” during the 2015 National Black Theatre Festival in August, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He will receive the honor, accorded due to his contributions to Black theatre specifically and American theatre in general, during the Opening Night Gala Awards Banquet.

: June 1, 2015

Company returns to its roots with its debut production from 2000

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s sizzling 15th anniversary season concludes with Cotton Club Cabaret, a reprise of its first-ever official production in 2000. The joint will be jumpin’ with this high-spirited, high-stepping musical revue featuring favorite songs from the greatest entertainers of the Harlem Renaissance era, including Fats Waller, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Cab Calloway. Theatre patrons will be transported back in time to the legendary premier nightclub of old Harlem, right here in Sarasota.

: May 19, 2015

SARASOTA, FL – On Sunday, June 14 and Monday, June 15, from 1:00-9:00pm, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will hold auditions for its 2015-2016 season. Auditions will take place at the WBTT Theatre (1646 10th Way, Sarasota).

: May 8, 2015

Noted blues artist Sammy Blue, who currently stars in ‘Spunk,’ will present two concerts on May 22 & 23

SARASOTA, FL – The celebrated “Crown Prince of the Blues,” Sammy Blue – who stars as “Guitar Man” in Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s current production of “Spunk” – will present two concerts on Friday and Saturday, May 22 and 23 at the WBTT theater. Patrons are invited to enjoy a barbecue dinner, catered by Nancy’s Barbecue, prior to the show (an additional charge will apply).

: April 7, 2015

Production consists of three tales written by Zora Neale Hurston, adapted by George C. Wolfe

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s 15th anniversary mainstage season concludes with “Spunk,” written by Zora Neale Hurston and adapted by George C. Wolfe. The three stories about love, revenge and redemption take place in the late 1920s – early 1930s, during the Harlem Renaissance, and are animated through dance and the music of the blues.

: February 17, 2015

Features five productions, including

Tony Award-nominated musical The Color Purple,

a revival of August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,

the world premiere of The Sam Cooke Story by Nate Jacobs,

the Pulitzer Prize-winning Driving Miss Daisy,

and a holiday production of A Motown Christmas

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) has announced its 2015-2016 season. In addition to four regular-season shows, which are included in the season subscription, the schedule includes a special holiday show being offered outside of the subscription. Running from October 2015 through the end of May 2016, the regular season shows are The Color Purple, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, The Sam Cooke Story, and Driving Miss Daisy. The holiday show is A Motown Christmas.