Welcome to Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s home for on-demand streaming video! In this video, Founder & Artistic Director Nate Jacobs interviews Chris Louis of the R&B group Next Town Down — better known to WBTT fans as Christopher Eisenberg.

Click below to enjoy Nate’s interview with Christopher about what WBTT has meant to him and his career and what he’s doing now. He also sings a special song just for WBTT fans!

We hope you enjoyed Nate Jacobs’ visit with Christopher Eisenberg. Here are some highlights of his WBTT appearances through the years. Thanks to Bill Wagy Productions for shooting and editing this collection of clips from some of Christopher’s most memorable performances with us.

At Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, we’re proud to have played a part in developing Christopher’s incredible talents. Here’s some more information about him and his career:

Christopher Louis Eisenberg, 22, is one of five singers who make up the rising, LA-based R&B group, Next Town Down. Their 2017 "Evolution of Boybands" video went viral, with over 20 million views and co-signs from Steve Harvey, Ricky Bell, Donnie Wahlberg and NSYNC. Signed at RCA Records, NTD has amassed over 24 million YouTube views, over 12 million Spotify streams and over 1 million cumulative followers on social media. Renowned for unmatched chemistry, untouchable levels of talent and the ability to incite immense passion from their fanbase, NTD’s performances online and on tour have left millions speechless.
 
At the tender age of 8, Christopher came to the attention of WBTT Founder & Artistic Director Nate Jacobs, who later cast him as little Stevie Wonder in the original production of The Soul Crooners in the Troupe’s 2008-2009 season. In 2015 Christopher starred in the WBTT Young Artist Program Christopher Eisenberg: Up Close & Personal. Later that year he traveled with Nate and other fellow performers to take Soul Crooners 2 to the National Black Theatre Festival in Winston, Salem, N.C., and appeared in WBTT’s production of A Motown Christmas. Christopher was a top 48 finalist on NBC’s America’s Got Talent at age 12 and at age 15, he released his debut album, Christopher XVI. In the fall of 2019 he returned to Sarasota to help WBTT celebrate its 20th anniversary at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, performing with Next Town Down. In January 2020 Christopher surprised Nate Jacobs at the grand opening of the newly renovated Gerri Aaron & the Aaron Family Foundation Theatre Building, thanking Nate and WBTT supporters for creating a special, nurturing place for him and other young performers to develop their theatrical skills and self-confidence.

Christopher is influenced by his mentors Nate Jacobs and EJ Porter, as well as Frank Sinatra, Drake, D’Angelo, Norah Jones, John Mayer, Chris Brown and PartyNextDoor.

“My Sarasota Family!!! I miss you all and home and think of you daily. The support I’ve had from you is truly a blessing, and it is carrying me through this next level in my career. Sending so much love back home! Stay safe.”

Did you miss any of our previous interviews with WBTT favorites? Click on the links below to watch them now!

Stay tuned for more songs and stories from your favorite WBTT performers — plus videos of vintage WBTT performances and special events!