Free community event, ‘Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, A Walk to Respect,’ to explore ideologies of and relationship between famous historical figures
SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is pleased to collaborate with The Patterson Foundation to offer three free staged readings of a new one-act play – written by award-winning playwright and educator Beth Duda, who will also direct – "Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, A Walk to Respect."
MLK Day celebrations to feature re-enactments of Dr. King’s speeches, song and dance
SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe again invites the community to celebrate the rich legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during two inspirational performances. The production, titled “MLK: Celebrating His Legacy in Spoken Word and Song,” will feature re-enactments of Dr. King’s speeches, song and dance. The celebrations take place on Sunday, January 19, and Monday, January 20, 7:30-9:30 p.m., at the Booker High School VPA Theatre (3201 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota).
Broadway musical, set in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement, is written by Tony/Pulitzer/Academy Award-winner Tony Kushner
SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is thrilled to open its subscription season – and present the very first production in its newly renovated theater – with the Broadway musical, “Caroline, or Change.” The show, which ran on and off-Broadway as well as in London, features book and lyrics by Tony Kushner and score by Jeanine Tesori.
Spirited holiday offering to feature the season's favorites plus long-lost treasures from the biggest stars of Motown
SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe invites the community to ring in the holidays with its exuberant musical revue, “A Motown Christmas.” The production was created by WBTT founder and artistic director Nate Jacobs and had its world premiere in 2015, with a repeat performance in 2017. The show features some favorite traditional carols as well as many original Christmas songs written and recorded by Motown's most celebrated artists, such as The Jackson 5, The Supremes, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye.
New program geared toward theater lovers who don’t like to go to shows alone
SARASOTA, FL – For its 20th anniversary season in 2020, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is introducing something new: the Single Ticket Club. This program offers "the hottest ticket in town" for theater lovers who don't have anyone to attend shows with and don’t like to go alone.
Evening of entertainment to feature WBTT founders and most popular artists, RCA recording artists Next Town Down, and honors for dedicated supporters
SARASOTA, FL – On November 18, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is kicking off its 20th year as a renowned Sarasota arts organization in dramatic fashion, with Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now! WBTT’s 20th Anniversary Celebration. The high-energy event will offer sensational entertainment featuring WBTT founding members Apphia Campbell, Jnana Cooper, Henry Porter, II, Tsadok Porter and Teresa Stanley, plus WBTT’s most popular artists and the sizzling WBTT house band, led by Resident Music Director Jay Dodge.
‘American Roots: The Gospel Experience’ to explore the rich tradition of black gospel music
SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and Key Chorale are coming together for an exuberant collaboration with American Roots: The Gospel Experience. The arts organizations will explore the rich tradition of black gospel music in America through three performances at churches in Sarasota and Venice in October.