Press Releases

The National Association of Black Theatre Building Owners will share knowledge and resources, work to strengthen infrastructure for Black theatre landscape

[SARASOTA, FL - June 1, 2021] – In an effort to share knowledge and resources, and strengthen the infrastructure of the Black theatre landscape in the United States, seven of the country’s freestanding, independent Black theatres – including Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) – have forged a new alliance. The National Association of Black Theatre Building Owners (NABTBO) will work together to ensure there are stages where Black voices take center stage and are heard by diverse audience

Director, educator, choreographer and performer Jim Weaver named education director/artistic associate for WBTT

SARASOTA, FL – In an effort to strengthen its education outreach program, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe has hired Jim Weaver as its new education director/artistic associate. WBTT patrons may recognize Weaver’s name – he has directed productions including “Caroline or Change,” “Raisin,” “In the Heights,” “Fences” and “Purlie,” to name a few. In his new role, Weaver will oversee and grow adult and youth programs such as the WBTT Voices Community Forum, the Jazzlinks and Rhythm & Tales school outreach programs, Stage of Discovery summer musical theater intensive program, and new workshop opportunities as well as direct shows and staged readings.

‘Put Your Hands Together’ to feature R&B classics and pop hits; proceeds from three performances to benefit mission of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe

SARASOTA, FL – In mid-June, The Soul Sensations & Friends return to Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe to perform on the popular outdoor concert stage, in support of WBTT and the important role it plays in the local community. Like 2019’s “Black or White: Makes My Music Right” and previous concerts produced by Dr. Randall Morgan to benefit WBTT, “Put Your Hands Together” is a revue of rhythm & blues songs and timeless pop hits.

Evening cabaret-style performances will feature the music of female soul and R&B artists of the 1970s

SARASOTA, FL –Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is thrilled to continue its “Light Up the Night!” open-air concert series with “Sistas in the Name of Soul.” This celebration of the female soul and R&B artists of the ‘70s (and some from the late ‘60s) will run from Saturday, May 8 through Sunday, June 6.

Free community event, ‘Telling Our Stories in the Black Theatre,’ features renowned Black playwright, Dominique Morisseau

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is pleased to reinvigorate its WBTT Voices program with a special offering, “Telling Our Stories in the Black Theatre,” on May 4. In conjunction with WBTT’s new production of Dominique Morisseau’s play, “Pipeline,” renowned journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault will facilitate a panel discussion via Zoom with Morisseau, WBTT Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs, and “Pipeline” director L. Peter Callender.

Virtual offering to explore renowned playwright’s works and legacy

SARASOTA, FL – Many people are familiar with August Wilson, the renowned playwright, but what about the man and his legacy? In a one-hour, one-session class presented by Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe on April 27, participants will explore August Wilson’s background, his ten-play cycle, known as “The American Century Cycle,” and his 4 B’s (the Blues, Jorge Luis Borges, Amiri Baraka and Romare Bearden). This class is being offered in celebration of Wilson’s birthday – the late playwright would have turned 76 on April 27.

New production of Dominique Morisseau work will be filmed and presented via outdoor screenings, streaming video

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is thrilled to be back onstage – albeit with a limited cast and for the purpose of filming rather than presenting live – for the pandemic-delayed production of Dominique Morisseau’s noted work, “Pipeline.” WBTT is currently rehearsing the show, which it will film, present during one week of outdoor screenings at its Theatre Arts Center in late April, and then make available via streaming video in May.

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