An important part of the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s mission is to continually develop the artistic skills and self-confidence of youth.

In WBTT’s Stage of Discovery summer musical theatre intensive program, a limited number of students ages 13-18 are coached in acting, singing, dancing, improvisation, and writing by creative professionals. They also gain behind-the-scenes experience with set and costume design. The program culminates in a public performance of an exciting musical.

Stage of Discovery is intense, focused, fun — and FREE to participating students, thanks to generous donors! It’s designed for youth who are serious about developing their artistic talents. An audition is required.

The 2022 Stage of Discovery production, We Dream, created, adapted and directed by WBTT Education Director and Artistic Associate Jim Weaver, was the culmination of the five-week summer musical theatre intensive program. The musical, presented July 16 and 17, celebrated students’ hopes and dreams for a better world. 

Stage of Discovery 2024 Auditions and Information

We are excited to invite all students between the ages of 13 – 18 who are interested in our Stage of Discovery Summer Musical Theatre intensive program to audition in person.

To register to audition, please click here to fill out the registration form. 

Audition Dates:  May 4 - 5, 2024; 12 - 4pm

Please have auditioners perform a short monologue, a short song and an optional dance combination. There are no limitations for chosen materials. Video submissions with a dance combination should not exceed 5 minutes, those without should not exceed 3 minutes.

Submit video submissions via email to Peterly Jean Baptiste at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Should the video file be too big, please share it on Google Drive.

 The registration form should be filled out before emailing your video submission. 

Camp Dates: Monday, June 10 – Sunday, July 14, 2024

Camp Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am – 4:30pm

Camp Location: WBTT 1012 N. Orange Ave, Sarasota

Performance Dates: Saturday, July 13 & Sunday July 14, 2024

Additional Audition Information: Students should be prepared with a headshot, song of their choosing, optional short dance combination and a brief monologue. For more information, please contact Peterly Jean Baptiste at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

How to Support Stage of Discovery

Thanks to generous donors, our Stage of Discovery summer musical theatre intensive program is free to participating students. You can make this experience possible for underserved youth — as well as supporting our other education initiatives like our Young Artist Program, our Jazzlinks touring high school program and Rhythm & Tales, our in-theatre elementary school program — by making a donation to WBTT and specifying that you want your gift to go to our Education Programs. CLICK HERE to make a donation.

Praise for Stage of Discovery

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe launched the Stage of Discovery program in the summer of 2016. Parents and students alike give the experience rave reviews!