March 25, 2014

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) plans to end the season on a “hot note” when it opens its final show of the 2013-14 season on Friday, April 11^th with Bubbling Brown Sugar, a musical revue featuring the music of numerous African-American artists who were popular during the Harlem Renaissance. The show will run through May 11^th. Evening performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 8:00 pm. Matinees are scheduled every Sunday at 2:00 pm; two Saturday matinees have also been scheduled for May 3^rd and 10^th. Individual tickets may be purchased for $29.50. To check availability and purchase tickets go online to www.wbttsrq.org or call the box office at 941-366-1505.

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February 18, 2014

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) will open its third show of the season with sold-out ticket sales even before opening. In order to meet an anticipated demand, the Troupe added two additional performances, which also quickly sold out.

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February 10, 2014

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is hosting a special panel discussion on Wednesday, February 26, WBTT, in honor of February’s significant designation as Black History Month. A distinguished panel of experts will participate in a discussion entitled WBTT Voices: A Communication Forum. The topic is the influence of black entertainers on civil rights. Panelists include Former mayor of Detroit and past President of the American Bar Association Justice Dennis Archer; Sarasota Herald Tribune’s Theater and Television Critic Jay Handelman; retired principal harpist of Boston Symphony Orchestra, professor and world-renowned soloist Ann Hobson-Pilot; WBTT Founding Artistic Director Nate Jacobs; and former Producing Artistic Director of the Asolo Repertory Theatre, director and WBTT Trustee Howard J. Millman. There is no charge to come and be part of this stimulating discussion, which will take place from 2:30 – 5:00 PM at the WBTT Theater, 1646 10^th Way, in Sarasota. Space is limited and seats will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

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December 12, 2013

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is pleased to announce that its second play for this season, August Wilson's Jitney, opened on Friday, January 4, 2013 and runs until Sunday, February 3. All performances take place in the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Theater at 1646 10th Way, Sarasota. Times are Tuesday-Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm with Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm. Ticket price is $29.50. Reservations may be made online at www.wbttsrq.org or by calling the box office at 941-366-1505.

We are so honored to have Dr. Morgan join our organization, remarked Board Chair Julie Leach. Not only is he a talented and successful surgeon, but he has shown himself to be very generous with his time, talents and leadership skills in helping others throughout his life. We know Dr. Morgan will be a valuable member of our board and we could not be happier to have him with us.

Dr. Morgan has achieved a career of excellence in service to his patients, visionary leadership in group medical practice, community and youth mentorship, and several national medical organizations. He presently serves as the first Executive Director of the W. Montague Cobb/National Medical Association (NMA) Health Institute, which is named for one of his Howard University Medical School faculty members and mentors. Morgan received his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine and served an internship and orthopedic surgery residency at Northwestern University in Chicago, where he was recognized as 'Resident of the Year.' He completed his residency in Downey, CA, and then returned to IL where he became the first African American surgeon on staff at Evanston Hospital. Due to a serious community need for orthopedic surgeons in his hometown of Gary, Indiana, he returned there to practice medicine for over 30 years. He was founder of The Orthopedic Centers of Northwest Indiana, where he served as president from 1975-1995.

Among his many titles and recognitions are Diplomate of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and certification by the American Board of Managed Care Medicine. He has been named 'Physician of the Year' by the National Medical Association Northwest Indiana Chapter. The city of Gary recognized his contributions by electing Dr. Morgan to the Steel City Hall of Fame. In 2005, Dr. Morgan received the Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award for National Service and the Joseph Pitts Award for Community Service from the Gary, Indiana branch of the NAACP.

In addition to his professional career, Morgan is a tenor-baritone and has been singing publicly since age 11, appearing around the country, as well as Spain and Italy. Locally he appears with the Soul Sensations, a group he helped found six years ago. Joining Morgan with vocals are Sarasota favorites Katt Hefner and Dana Merriwether. He is also a member of the Gulf Coast Community Choir.

'I echo Julie's comments,' continued Nate Jacobs, founder and artistic director of WBTT. 'Dr. Morgan is an accomplished professional on so many levels. We are honored that he has decided to be a part of our organization.'

The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe of Florida, Inc. (WBTT) is the only professional black theater company on Florida's West Coast. The mission is to 'produce plays that promote and celebrate the African-American experience, attract diverse audiences, while using its productions as a vehicle for supporting African-American artists and building the self-esteem of African-American youth.' Throughout the past decade, WBTT has produced many productions and has gained a reputation for high quality, thought-provoking and entertaining performances.

Since its inception, WBTT has mentored and inspired many African-American youth. Many of the aspiring professional artists trained in the WBTT performing arts program have gone on to work with national and regional companies, including Apphia Campbell who most recently has been seen performing her one-woman show, Black is the Color of My Voice, in Shanghai and New York and Teresa Stanley who was a featured cast member on Broadway in The Color Purple and presently stars in Rock of Ages. For more information on WBTT, visit the website at www.wbttroupe.org, follow on Facebook or call 941-366-1505.

August 15, 2013

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) announces that they will be holding auditions for their 2013-14 main season on Saturday, September 7^th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, with call backs being held that evening from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Auditions will be held at the theater located at 1646 10^th Way in Sarasota. No prior theatrical experience is required but actors should be 18 years of age or older. All ethnicities are encouraged to attend. Anyone interested in auditioning for musical theater should come prepared with a 16-bar song and a one-minute monologue. An accompanist will be provided so please bring your own sheet music. Actor auditions for straight plays should prepare two contrasting monologues. Call backs for musical theater will be given an additional song selected by WBTT.

August 7, 2013

Members of the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) have just returned from performing Soul Crooners at the National Black Theatre Festival (NBTF) in Winston-Salem, NC. The all- male ensemble and WBTT musicians had four scheduled performances, each of which were sold out. It was the first time the Troupe had been invited to the Festival, which is the most important showcase for African-American performers in America.

August 6, 2013

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is bringing back Sammy Tonight! A Tribute to Sammy Davis, Jr., a runaway hit from the 2012 season. The musical revue features De'Zhon Fields who has traveled the world showcasing the legendary icon. Those who were unable to get tickets to the sold out performances and those who may want to enjoy it again can see the show during its summer production, which opens Wednesday, August 21^st and runs through Sunday, September 1^st. Evening performances run Tuesday through Saturday at 8:00 pm. Matinees are at 2:00 pm on Sundays. Tickets are $29.50 and can be purchased by calling the box office at 941-366-1505 or visiting the website www.wbttsrq.org.