Press Releases

Second offering of the season will feature Michael Mendez highlighting Latin soul music and highlights from his favorite performances at WBTT

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is pleased to continue its second annual Young Artist Program, through which Troupe members are able to showcase their talents with one-night, one-person shows. The second show of this season, “I Love Music,” takes place Monday, March 2 at 8:00pm and features Michael Mendez. Join this WBTT company member as he presents an exciting evening of Latin soul music and singing. He will also perform his favorite performances at WBTT

Initial offering of the season will feature Leon S. Pitts II in a tribute to James Brown

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is pleased to announce its second annual Young Artist Program, through which Troupe members are able to showcase their talents with one-night, one-person shows. The first show of this season, “Showtime with Leon Pitts,” takes place Monday, February 2 at 7:30pm and features Leon S. Pitts II. Join this WBTT company member as he explores his own theatrical career and humble beginnings. Additionally, audiences will also enjoy a tribute to the music of sizzling soul legend James Brown.

Renowned director Chuck Smith in town from Chicago to direct the performance

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s season continues with “Knock Me A Kiss,” a work by playwright Charles Smith that examines the societal pressures on the daughter of noted anti-segregationist activist W.E.B. DuBois to marry the “right” kind of man. The show asks the question: when is personal happiness more important than the sacrifices, lies, and deferred dreams of a family trying to make the world a better place?

Thanks to its generous patrons and concerned members of the community, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe has provided an overflowing bin of toys for families in need served at Children First in Sarasota. Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe partnered with the Bradenton Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority on the toy drive to help homeless and underprivileged children have a happier holiday season. Toys collected in Bradenton by the sorority alumnae were delivered to the Visible Men Academy. The toy drive ran from Nov. 15 through Dec. 16.

World premier musical revue will highlight the great women performers of the jazz era

SARASOTA, FL – Nearly two months before the show even opens, in response to blistering ticket sales, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe has extended the run of its upcoming musical revue "Jazz Hot Mamas." In this show – a world premiere created by artistic director Nate Jacobs – the company salutes the great women performers of the jazz era such as Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, Etta Jones, and Peggy Lee. These women rose to stardom, broke barriers and left a legacy few can match. Their phenomenal voices, style and grace won over audiences around the world.

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is partnering with the Bradenton Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. to benefit homeless and underprivileged children in Manatee and Sarasota counties through a “Toys for Tots” holiday toy drive. All new, unwrapped toys for boys and girls are welcome.

Through December 16, community members in Sarasota can drop off toys at the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s theater (1646 10th Way, Sarasota) from 6:30-8:30pm Tuesdays-Saturdays, or from 12:30-2:00pm on Sundays. Call (941) 366-1505 for more information. In Manatee County, toys can be dropped off at various hours to the Family Heritage House Museum at State College of Florida (5840 26th Street W.); call (941) 752-5319 or (941) 677-2970 for more information.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is getting ready to kick off its 15th year as a performing Sarasota arts organization in a really big way! On Monday night, October 6th, beginning at 8:00 pm, WBTT will stage an evening of entertainment at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall that epitomizes who they are and what they do. The evening starts with a pre-show performed by some of the Troupe’s well-known artists. Following that is Sarasota’s first introduction to The Eve of Jackie, an original musical play about the life of Jackie Wilson, written and performed by an award-winning Broadway performer Chester Gregory.

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