WBTT’s electrifying ‘How I Got Over: A Tribute to Mahalia Jackson’ celebrates the Queen of Gospel and other gospel greats

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe presents its summer 2016 show, How I Got Over: A Tribute to Mahalia Jackson, which runs July 13 – August 14, 2016. The musical revue is an original production created by WBTT founder and artistic director Nate Jacobs to honor Jackson, “The Queen of Gospel.”

Staged readings to take place internationally as part of Project1VOICE effort on June 19 and 20

SARASOTA, FL – On June 20, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) will take part in Project1VOICE/1PLAY/1DAY, an international effort presented in association with more than 40 theater companies, museums and other diverse institutions to celebrate African American theatre. This year, Project1VOICE will celebrate the 30th anniversary of "The Colored Museum," written by two-time Tony Award-winning theatrical powerhouse George C. Wolfe, with staged readings. 

Actors, dancers and singers ages 13-18 are invited to take the stage with Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe this summer. From July 20-August 15, WBTT will offer "Stage of Discovery," a theatre-intensive summer musical pilot program. The teens will be under the direction of WBTT founder and artistic director Nate Jacobs, with professional creative coaches assisting in the instruction. The program culminates with a public performance of an original musical.

Takes place at the Westcoast Black Theatre (1646 10th Way, Sarasota) from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The 2016 pilot program is free and lunch is provided; aftercare is available from 2:00-5:00 p.m. for $50 per week per child. This program is being underwritten by the Robert E. Dods Family Foundation.

There will be a mandatory audition on Saturday, June 11, from 1:00-5:00 p.m. For more information and/or to schedule an appointment, call Joey James at (941) 366-1505, ext. 108 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

New program debuts with ‘Real Life,’ original musical written and directed by WBTT artist Joel P. E. King

SARASOTA, FL – The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is launching a new program to enable young artists to gain experience and exposure for their original works through the "New Playwrights Series.” The debut performance of the series will be a blocked stage reading of "Real Life," written and directed by WBTT artist Joel P. E. King. King aims to assure an “off book” performance that he believes will be more engaging and less distracting for the artists and the audience. Other WBTT artists will perform various roles in the reading.

Final offering of the season will feature Alyssa White in ‘A Tribute to Love’

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) will conclude its third annual Young Artist Program, through which Troupe members are able to showcase their talents with one-night, one-person shows, with the final performance of the season. The community is invited to enjoy, “A Tribute to Love with Alyssa White,” which takes place Monday, May 23 at 7:30pm. Join this WBTT company member as she takes the audience through love, pain, happiness and gratitude, and her own life journey, through song.

One-woman artist showcases will feature popular WBTT songstresses Ariel Blue and Neyce Pierre

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is pleased to announce its third annual Young Artist Program, through which Troupe members are able to showcase their talents with one-night, one-person shows. This year’s performances will feature powerful and popular local female artists Ariel Blue and Neyce Pierre.

World premiere, original production travels through the too-short life of ‘The King of Soul’

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe continues its 2015-2016 season with The Sam Cooke Story, which runs March 2 – April 9. The world premiere, original production written and adapted by Nate Jacobs, Michael Jacobs and B.G. Rhule, will take theatre patrons through the life of Cooke – popularly known as “The King of Soul” – who died at the tender age of 33.

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