Powerful show by Katori Hall offers fictional account of the final night of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life

SARASOTA, FL – On the fiftieth anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe offers a look at the man behind the public persona in a show written by Memphis native Katori Hall, titled The Mountaintop. This is the first production by WBTT to address the life and legacy of the civil rights icon.

WBTT to celebrate and honor Dr. King’s legacy during 50th anniversary year of his assassination with expanded program

SARASOTA, FL – On the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe invites the community to celebrate his rich legacy during a community-wide program. The event, titled “Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” will feature re-enactments of Dr. King’s speeches, song and dance. 

Jubilee Theatre in Fort Worth is performing original Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe show, ‘A Motown Christmas’

SARASOTA, FL – Right now, there are two sold-out productions of A Motown Christmas taking place in the U.S. Here at home, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe – whose founder and artistic director Nate Jacobs created and adapted the show – has a sold-out run at its 10th Way location in Sarasota. Meanwhile, in Fort Worth, Tex., the Jubilee Theatre is also performing the show to capacity audiences through December 24th.

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 musical revue, A Motown Christmas. The production was created by WBTT founder and artistic director Nate Jacobs and had its world premiere in 2015. 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 Supremes, The Temptations, The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye.

Arts organization’s annual gala to highlight best music of Motown era, honor supporters Audrey Coleman and Eva Slane

SARASOTA, FL - Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will celebrate its 18th anniversary and present its major annual gala, this year titled “Motown Mania,” on Friday, November 17, 6-10pm at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium (801 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota). Attendees will be treated to the best music of the Motown era and fete two special supporters during the festive and exciting program. 

‘Hidden Voices: The Immigrant Experience in Southwest Florida’ takes place October 23

SARASOTA, FL – The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is pleased to kick off the 2017-2018 WBTT Voices program with its first event of the season. On Monday, October 23 at 6:30 p.m., WBTT presents “Hidden Voices: The Immigrant Experience in Southwest Florida,” a timely, informative, and emotional panel discussion about the immigrant experience in this area and the immigration issues we’re facing as a nation today. 

Popular WBTT artist Tarra Conner jones to kick off 2017-2018 series with ‘Here is Love’

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is pleased to present the fifth year of its annual Young Artist Program, through which Troupe members are able to showcase their talents with one-night, one-person shows. The first Young Artist performance of the season, “Here is Love,” features popular WBTT artist Tarra Conner jones and takes place Sunday, October 15 and Monday, October 16 at 8:00 p.m. The original cabaret show shares Conner jones’ journey of love, heartache, laughter and survival through stories, jazz songs, and show tunes. 

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